Four high-profile stars were appointed ambassadors to Shanghai World Expo today, on the 50-day countdown to the event’s opening in May.
They are Hong Kong pop and film star Andy Lau, Beijing talk show hostess and businesswoman Yang Lan, gymnast and entrepreneur Li Ning from Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, and contemporary classical composer Tan Du.
Lau was appointed Goodwill Ambassador, and said he looked forward to encouraging all Chinese people to promote the Expo.
Yang, also co-owner with her husband Wu Zheng of Sun Television Cybernetworks in Shanghai, was appointed the Image Ambassador. She said she will use her media working experiences to promote the event.
Li, who won 106 gold medals in competitions in China and abroad, became the Expo Health Ambassador.
Li, also chairman and founder of the Li Ning Company which sells footwear and sporting apparel, said he will hold various activities to promote the Expo.
Tan is the Culture Ambassador, working with American composer Quincy Jones on songs for the Expo.
Other Expo ambassadors include Hong Kong movie star Jackie Chan, pianist Lang Lang from Liaoning Province and NBA star Yao Ming from Shanghai.
3/22/10
Spain Pavilion prepares performance feast
The Spain Pavilion will be turned into a cabaret that offers a feast to visitors every night by serving authentic delicacies and sizzling shows.
More than 50 Spanish artists will perform live at Spain's Expo 2010 pavilion, presenting performances that range from avant-garde theatre to soap bubbles and flamenco dancing.
The daily show will be staged twice, at 6pm and 8pm, in the pavilion's amphitheatre, which has 100 seats. A "tapas" menu degustation will be served at the same time.
Confirmed artists include Yllana, with their gestural humor theatre; Pep Bou, famous for his soap bubbles; the contemporary dance company of Sol Picó, the magic of Jorge Blass and Sergi Buka, Jordi Beltráns's marionettes or the fusion between flamenco and music by Bach or Mozart created by Miriam Méndes, along with many others.
More than 50 Spanish artists will perform live at Spain's Expo 2010 pavilion, presenting performances that range from avant-garde theatre to soap bubbles and flamenco dancing.
The daily show will be staged twice, at 6pm and 8pm, in the pavilion's amphitheatre, which has 100 seats. A "tapas" menu degustation will be served at the same time.
Confirmed artists include Yllana, with their gestural humor theatre; Pep Bou, famous for his soap bubbles; the contemporary dance company of Sol Picó, the magic of Jorge Blass and Sergi Buka, Jordi Beltráns's marionettes or the fusion between flamenco and music by Bach or Mozart created by Miriam Méndes, along with many others.
Parades to create sea of joy
More than 900 parades involving 23 floats will be staged citywide through the 184-day Expo as Shanghai hopes to spread the celebrations around the city.
Three routes have been designed, covering 2.6 kilometers in total. Two will be in the Pudong New Area, the main venue of the Expo site, and one will be in Puxi.
The 920 parades, five daily on average, are expected to attract 30 million visitors.
A number of sponsors for the upcoming fair and neighboring cities of Shanghai such as Zhoushan and Changshu yesterday signed cooperation documents with the organizer. The sponsors will contribute "floating pavilions" at the parades.
Three routes have been designed, covering 2.6 kilometers in total. Two will be in the Pudong New Area, the main venue of the Expo site, and one will be in Puxi.
The 920 parades, five daily on average, are expected to attract 30 million visitors.
A number of sponsors for the upcoming fair and neighboring cities of Shanghai such as Zhoushan and Changshu yesterday signed cooperation documents with the organizer. The sponsors will contribute "floating pavilions" at the parades.
Xikou employs Expo expat promoters
Eight expat promoters pose for picture
Xikou, a Chinese national 4A tourist attraction, will stage its exhibition in Pavilion of Urban Future and the zone employed eight expat promoters yesterday.
The eight come from countries such as Norway, Germany, USA, Morocco and Singapore. They either study or work in Zhejiang's Ningbo City, which governs the tourist zone.
Xikou tourism authority will offer them free passes to the town and the ambassadors will use their cameras and texts to showcase the tourist resort.
"This place is really attractive," said Ove Nodland from Norway, one of the eight promoters.
Students celebrate Expo speech
More than 200 students from Xiwai International School attended a lecture on 2010 Expo Shanghai on Thursday.
This is the sixth leg of the lecture series in local schools, enabling students to ask questions and stage performances.
Representatives from the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination presented gifts to the school. Students also took pictures with their guests and Haibao mascots.
Vishakha N. Desai: Global village, shared future
Vishakha N. Desai
Vishakha N. Desai, is now the president and chief executive officer of the Asia Society. She is the first woman and the first Asian-American to lead the educational nonprofit institution, which was founded to foster understanding between Asia and America.
It is with great pleasure that I add my voice to the individuals and institutions who are coming together to celebrate and congratulate the organizers of The World Expo 2010 Shanghai. Exchanges of this sort are vital as we look ahead to a shared global future.
This unique event celebrating the outstanding achievements of the city of Shanghai under the theme "Better City, Better Life" calls attention to a vision that all cities of the world should strive to achieve. We commend you on your successes and look forward to working with our friends in China as we explore together the Asia Society's mission of "preparing for a shared future."
Asia Society is a leading global organization working to strengthen relationships and promote understanding among the people, leaders, and institutions of Asia and the United States. We seek to enhance dialogue, encourage creative expression, and generate new ideas across the fields of policy, business, education, arts, and culture.
Founded in 1956 by John D. Rockefeller the 3rd, the Asia Society is a nonpartisan, nonprofit educational institution with offices in Hong Kong, Houston, Los Angeles, Manila, Melbourne, Mumbai, New York, San Francisco, Seoul, Shanghai and Washington, DC.
Asia Society has had a long history of constructive engagement with China over several decades: through quality programs, including high-level business conferences, symposia, international study missions, education initiatives, publications, art exhibitions and performing arts productions. Since the early 1980s the Society has reached out to a broad range of professionals and citizens interested in foreign affairs and culture. We strive to showcase the millennia-old civilization's artistic achievements of China and its ongoing legacy, manifest today in China's exciting contemporary art scene, of which Shanghai is a critical center. The Society held its signature corporate event, our 11th Asian Corporate Conference, in Shanghai in May 2000. We were delighted to work closely with all levels of government and the private sector to make this international event the ground breaking success it was.
Shanghai was China's pre-eminent international city for more than two centuries. Today, with Expo 2010, Shanghai, once again, reaffirms its international legacy. So it is with great pleasure that I write to congratulate you and wish the organizers of Expo 2010 and the City of Shanghai every success in this cross-cultural demonstration of a global village in the very real sense of the word.
10/27/09
'Dollhouse' returns to bottom; 'Brothers' matches
The second season premiere of Fox's "Dollhouse" was down sharply in the ratings compared to its series opener and resumed about where the show left off -- as Friday's lowest-rated program on a major broadcast network.
Only this time, "Dollhouse" had some company. The series premiere of Fox's comedy "Brothers," which served as a lead-in for "Dollhouse," was equally abysmal.
While over on CBS, the debut of "Medium" in its new time period (and network) retained most of its "Ghost Whisperer" lead-in and ranked as the most-watched show of the night despite dropping considerably in its new time period.
CBS started with "Ghost" (8.6 million viewers, 2.2 preliminary adults 18-49 rating), down 12% from last year. "Medium" (8.8 million, 2.0) matched the debut of "Ex-List" in the slot, yet fell sharply -- 33% -- from its debut on NBC on Monday nights last season. "Numbers" (7.9 million, 1.7) was down 19% from last year. Overall, these are somewhat soft for CBS' block, though the network did win the evening.
ABC was second in the demo, picking up some additional sampling by re-airing a few of its premieres, along with "20/20" (7.1 million 2.3), which won 10 p.m. and ranked as the night's highest-rated show (a tad depressing, that).
NBC aired the 20th season premiere of Dick Wolf's "Law & Order" (6.3 million, 1.3). Judging by the rating, this show is ready for pasture. The procedural was also down 41% from its Wednesday night debut last season. "Dateline" (5.8 million 1.5) was modest and "The Jay Leno Show" (5.7 million, 1.5) hit a new low, now creeping into the upper region of Leno's "Tonight Show" average and matching ABC's repeats of "Modern Family" and "Cougar Town" in the demo.
And then there's Fox. Nobody expected "Brothers" (2.8 million, 1.0) to open and it didn't (mixed reviews, weak promotion, terrible time slot). "Dollhouse" (2.6 million, 1.0) was down 41% from its first season premiere, basically picking up where its finale ended.
As stated time and time again, once a heavily serialized show like "Dollhouse" starts to decline, it's almost impossible to reverse -- the same mythology that keeps some fans tuning in each week discourages new viewers from leaping in (or previous fans from giving the show a second chance).
On the CW, the premiere of "Smallville" (2.5 million, 1.0) took a hit being moved to Fridays, down 45%. CW points out this is the network's best performance in the time period in more than a year, though naturally if you burn off the (presumed) final season of one of your highest rated shows on the lowest-rated night of the week, that's what you get.
Only this time, "Dollhouse" had some company. The series premiere of Fox's comedy "Brothers," which served as a lead-in for "Dollhouse," was equally abysmal.
While over on CBS, the debut of "Medium" in its new time period (and network) retained most of its "Ghost Whisperer" lead-in and ranked as the most-watched show of the night despite dropping considerably in its new time period.
CBS started with "Ghost" (8.6 million viewers, 2.2 preliminary adults 18-49 rating), down 12% from last year. "Medium" (8.8 million, 2.0) matched the debut of "Ex-List" in the slot, yet fell sharply -- 33% -- from its debut on NBC on Monday nights last season. "Numbers" (7.9 million, 1.7) was down 19% from last year. Overall, these are somewhat soft for CBS' block, though the network did win the evening.
ABC was second in the demo, picking up some additional sampling by re-airing a few of its premieres, along with "20/20" (7.1 million 2.3), which won 10 p.m. and ranked as the night's highest-rated show (a tad depressing, that).
NBC aired the 20th season premiere of Dick Wolf's "Law & Order" (6.3 million, 1.3). Judging by the rating, this show is ready for pasture. The procedural was also down 41% from its Wednesday night debut last season. "Dateline" (5.8 million 1.5) was modest and "The Jay Leno Show" (5.7 million, 1.5) hit a new low, now creeping into the upper region of Leno's "Tonight Show" average and matching ABC's repeats of "Modern Family" and "Cougar Town" in the demo.
And then there's Fox. Nobody expected "Brothers" (2.8 million, 1.0) to open and it didn't (mixed reviews, weak promotion, terrible time slot). "Dollhouse" (2.6 million, 1.0) was down 41% from its first season premiere, basically picking up where its finale ended.
As stated time and time again, once a heavily serialized show like "Dollhouse" starts to decline, it's almost impossible to reverse -- the same mythology that keeps some fans tuning in each week discourages new viewers from leaping in (or previous fans from giving the show a second chance).
On the CW, the premiere of "Smallville" (2.5 million, 1.0) took a hit being moved to Fridays, down 45%. CW points out this is the network's best performance in the time period in more than a year, though naturally if you burn off the (presumed) final season of one of your highest rated shows on the lowest-rated night of the week, that's what you get.
'Dollhouse' returns to bottom; 'Brothers' matches
The second season premiere of Fox's "Dollhouse" was down sharply in the ratings compared to its series opener and resumed about where the show left off -- as Friday's lowest-rated program on a major broadcast network.
Only this time, "Dollhouse" had some company. The series premiere of Fox's comedy "Brothers," which served as a lead-in for "Dollhouse," was equally abysmal.
While over on CBS, the debut of "Medium" in its new time period (and network) retained most of its "Ghost Whisperer" lead-in and ranked as the most-watched show of the night despite dropping considerably in its new time period.
CBS started with "Ghost" (8.6 million viewers, 2.2 preliminary adults 18-49 rating), down 12% from last year. "Medium" (8.8 million, 2.0) matched the debut of "Ex-List" in the slot, yet fell sharply -- 33% -- from its debut on NBC on Monday nights last season. "Numbers" (7.9 million, 1.7) was down 19% from last year. Overall, these are somewhat soft for CBS' block, though the network did win the evening.
ABC was second in the demo, picking up some additional sampling by re-airing a few of its premieres, along with "20/20" (7.1 million 2.3), which won 10 p.m. and ranked as the night's highest-rated show (a tad depressing, that).
NBC aired the 20th season premiere of Dick Wolf's "Law & Order" (6.3 million, 1.3). Judging by the rating, this show is ready for pasture. The procedural was also down 41% from its Wednesday night debut last season. "Dateline" (5.8 million 1.5) was modest and "The Jay Leno Show" (5.7 million, 1.5) hit a new low, now creeping into the upper region of Leno's "Tonight Show" average and matching ABC's repeats of "Modern Family" and "Cougar Town" in the demo.
And then there's Fox. Nobody expected "Brothers" (2.8 million, 1.0) to open and it didn't (mixed reviews, weak promotion, terrible time slot). "Dollhouse" (2.6 million, 1.0) was down 41% from its first season premiere, basically picking up where its finale ended.
As stated time and time again, once a heavily serialized show like "Dollhouse" starts to decline, it's almost impossible to reverse -- the same mythology that keeps some fans tuning in each week discourages new viewers from leaping in (or previous fans from giving the show a second chance).
On the CW, the premiere of "Smallville" (2.5 million, 1.0) took a hit being moved to Fridays, down 45%. CW points out this is the network's best performance in the time period in more than a year, though naturally if you burn off the (presumed) final season of one of your highest rated shows on the lowest-rated night of the week, that's what you get.
Only this time, "Dollhouse" had some company. The series premiere of Fox's comedy "Brothers," which served as a lead-in for "Dollhouse," was equally abysmal.
While over on CBS, the debut of "Medium" in its new time period (and network) retained most of its "Ghost Whisperer" lead-in and ranked as the most-watched show of the night despite dropping considerably in its new time period.
CBS started with "Ghost" (8.6 million viewers, 2.2 preliminary adults 18-49 rating), down 12% from last year. "Medium" (8.8 million, 2.0) matched the debut of "Ex-List" in the slot, yet fell sharply -- 33% -- from its debut on NBC on Monday nights last season. "Numbers" (7.9 million, 1.7) was down 19% from last year. Overall, these are somewhat soft for CBS' block, though the network did win the evening.
ABC was second in the demo, picking up some additional sampling by re-airing a few of its premieres, along with "20/20" (7.1 million 2.3), which won 10 p.m. and ranked as the night's highest-rated show (a tad depressing, that).
NBC aired the 20th season premiere of Dick Wolf's "Law & Order" (6.3 million, 1.3). Judging by the rating, this show is ready for pasture. The procedural was also down 41% from its Wednesday night debut last season. "Dateline" (5.8 million 1.5) was modest and "The Jay Leno Show" (5.7 million, 1.5) hit a new low, now creeping into the upper region of Leno's "Tonight Show" average and matching ABC's repeats of "Modern Family" and "Cougar Town" in the demo.
And then there's Fox. Nobody expected "Brothers" (2.8 million, 1.0) to open and it didn't (mixed reviews, weak promotion, terrible time slot). "Dollhouse" (2.6 million, 1.0) was down 41% from its first season premiere, basically picking up where its finale ended.
As stated time and time again, once a heavily serialized show like "Dollhouse" starts to decline, it's almost impossible to reverse -- the same mythology that keeps some fans tuning in each week discourages new viewers from leaping in (or previous fans from giving the show a second chance).
On the CW, the premiere of "Smallville" (2.5 million, 1.0) took a hit being moved to Fridays, down 45%. CW points out this is the network's best performance in the time period in more than a year, though naturally if you burn off the (presumed) final season of one of your highest rated shows on the lowest-rated night of the week, that's what you get.
9/20/09
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