PAISLEY PUNTERS ASKED TO CRY FREEDOM AT BUNGALOW GIG

London born singer Azim will be crying Freedom when he comes to Paisley on October 18.
Azim, who has recently been working with Scots songwriter and producer John McLaughlin  will play the  Bungalow music venue after releasing his new single Freedom on October 12.
Azim who offer up a mix of tracks based on conflict and tension can’t wait to play the Bungalow venue. 

  Having learned the acoustic guitar after Yusuf Islam aka Cat Stevens made his comeback he has always strived to reflect the reality of London life, encompassing religious or socio-political opposites, or the epic odyssey of a migrant father fleeing war. 

He said: “There’s so much to being alive..so much out there to draw upon, especially since we had Brexit and Trump…I don’t want to hide from any of it.”

Azim, who cites his influences as Richard Ashcroft, Noel Gallagher and Jimmy Hendrixexplained: ”My song Freedom is a depiction of modern life in a big city. My music is my freedom and if people want to go their own way freedom belongs in their hands.”
“I know how important the word Freedom is in Scotland so I’d love people to come along to the night and embrace it.”

HEARTBREAKER LEGEND DIONNE WARWICK SERENADED BY SCOTS TEENAGERS IN GLASGOW

SHE was going to Walk on By, but Dionne Warwick stopped in her tracks as she was serenaded by a group of teenagers outside her Scots hotel.
The singing legend had performed at Glasgow’s Armadillo and was making her way back into the Blythswood hotel when she was treated to the impromptu performance.
Three young members of five piece Scots pop band G Side had wanted to meet her so decided to give her a rendition of her famous hit Heartbreaker in a bid of grab her attention - and it worked.
Dionne who was with her granddaughter at the gig listened intently to the singing trio before thanking them with a bow of the head and stepping inside the door.
Her granddaughter told me afterwards: “That was awesome.”
Earlier in the day Dionne had become emotional when she was shown pictures of Whitney Houston by one of her Scots fans. 

JOIN THESHOWBIZLION.COM FOR A SPECIAL MOET CELEBRATION

 

ANYONE fancy some extra special summer fizz?

Theshowbizlion.com loves a party and Moët & Chandon, the world’s most celebrated Champagne marque, have something very special in store for you and us tomorrow. 

The champagne house has announced Glasgow as the host city in Scotland for its MOËT GRAND TOAST on Saturday June 9. 

On Saturday, the city’s Corinthian club will host a party and a half to remember. 

It’s one of a series of global summer parties celebrating 275 years of the maison.

Having been to some of the Moet parties in the past, we can tell you that they are the ultimate in taste and sophistication. 

There are lots of bubbles on offer these days, but only one Moët & Chandon.

A pioneer and visionary of his time, Claude Moët, the founder of Moët & Chandon, had the dream to share the magic of Moët with the world. 

His spirit of generosity and savoir-faire was infectious.  

Moët & Chandon soon became the Champagne of choice for influential personalities of the 18thCentury and the icon for every exceptional party.

For its 275th birthday, and flagship MOËT GRAND TOAST everyone is invited to the party. 

 Soundtracking the party across The Terrace and The Brasserie, will be a host of DJs including Nick Peacock, David Barbarossa, Naeem and Kevin McCrorie, while flashbulbs will pop for revellers as memorable Moët moments are captured on film as well as within a striking photobooth.

 Tastebuds will be tantalised at this unmissable celebration with a number of packages available including Sharing Platter for 2 with bottle of Moët (£70), Bespoke 3 Course Dinner paired with Moët (£50 per person) as well as Champagne by the glass and bottle (£9.95/£60).

 In keeping with Claude Moët’s spirit of generosity, a series of surprise Moët moments await revellers across the day and night, whilst at precisely 17.43pm, in honour of the year the maison was founded, a Moët Champagne pyramid fountainwill be poured to breathtaking effect in the centre of Corinthian’s magnificent Brasserie with complimentary toasts for revellers.

 The MOËT GRAND TOAST celebrations will continue through until 3am with Moët Ice Impérial, also known as ‘La Piscine’ – champagne served on the rocks, as well as with the much-loved Moët Imperial; liberating life, love and friendships in style. 

To book any of the packages contact corinthianevents@thecorinthianclub.co.uk or call 0141 552 1101.

#MoëtMoment

JASON DONOVAN CELEBRATES FIFTIETH IN GLASGOW

Exclusive 
Beverley Lyons
KYLIE Minogie might have celebrated her fiftieth birthday in London, but Jason Donovan spent his birthday weekend in Scotland - in a kilt. 
The Neighbours heartthrob decided to fly up from London to Glasgow to perform at a charity bash. 
The Too Many Broken Hearts hitmaker turned fifty on Friday and was a guest at Tartan and Tiaras at the city’s Doubletree Hilton the following day. 
Having already celebrated his former Neighbours co star Kylie’s much lauded fiftieth in London last weekend he was more than happy to have a change of scenery. 
For the occasion he was even given a kilt to wear by Heart radio drivetime presenter Paul Harper who had the pleasure of dressing him on the night. 
Paul said: “Jason said he loved celebrating his fiftieth birthday weekend with Scottish fans. I gave him a kilt to wear and he wasn't sure at first how to wear it. It told him I’d help him get dressed. I guess it’s every girl’s dream to dress Jason Donovan and I had the pleasure of doing exactly that. He asked me if he should wear underwear with it and I told him he always should if the kilt is hired - which it was.”
On the night Jason was met by hundreds of screams as he teased: “Does anyone want to see what I have under my kilt?”
He also sang a clutch of hits including Especially For You. 
And although Kylie wasn’t there he informed the crowd that his backing singer was called Kelly. 
The event now in its 10th year, raised money for Calum's Cabin, Home-Start Renfrewshire and Inverclyde and DEBRA.















Excerpts of this story have now appeared in the Daily Record 

SAM HEUGHAN NOMINATED FOR MOST STYLISH MALE AT SCOTTISH STYLE AWARDS IN GLASGOw

SAM Heughan is amongst those nominated for a most stylish male award at the 13th annual Scottish Style Awards next month. 

The hunky Outlander star will be competing against artist and playwright John Byrne, Pop Artist Philip Colbert, Young Father’s Kayus Bankole, adventurer Aldo Kane and one of theshowbizlion’s fave people blogger John Robertson aka The Everyday Man at the star studded gala.  

Actress Pollyanna McIntosh will join a host of other stylishly dressed Scots at  lthe Moët & Chandon sponsored bash dubbed Scotland’s most Stylish Event of the year , in the Kevingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow on March 31. 

Guests will be invited to top their Champagne with Chambord, black raspberry liqueur, before enjoying a gala dinner complemented with a Hennessy cocktail. The awards will commence thereafter. 

Ten prestigious presentations will be made in the course of this year’s show with accolades spanning the nation’s Most Stylish Male and Female, along with Tastemaker of the Year, whilst the spotlight will shine on the Most Stylish Bar, Restaurant, Hotel, Entertainment Venue andRetailer. 

In a Scottish Style Awards exclusive, a runway presentation, “Deich bliadhna aig MuileannShiaboist”, celebrating the first decade of Harris Tweed Hebrides  will pay tribute to the iconic fabric whose quality and provenance is loved by the world’s biggest and best designers, fashion houses and luxury brands. Such is the uniqueness and importance of the cloth’s artisan manufacturing process that it is governed by its own 1993 Harris Tweed Act of Parliament, and the runway presentation will highlight these credentials to stunning effect.

Augmenting the runway further will be a Spring 2018 show from Cruise, starring fashion’s biggest names including Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Tom Ford, Givenchy, Valentino, Fendi, Lanvin, Vivienne Westwood, Victoria Beckham, Celine, Versus Versace, Balmain and DSquared2.   

Ken McCulloch, the visionary hotelier who, across the last five decades, has been the force behind many impressive statements including One Devonshire Gardens in Glasgow, the Malmaison chain, the Columbus Monte Carlo and now the breathtakingly bold Dakota concept, will be honoured for his Very Special Achievement.  

Mr McCulloch’s award is one of three headline presentations honouring individuals whose contribution to style and creativity is recognised on a major level internationally. The recipients of the finale Style Icon and Outstanding Contribution will be revealed soon along with details of this year’s illustrious Judging Panel. 

Winners across the award categories will each receive a striking Model-Citizen art collectable plus a Magnum of Moët.

 The Sanctuary, Glasgow, will host the Belvedere after party located only a few stylish steps from Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.

 MARY McGOWNE, Founder of the Scottish Style Awards said: “We are thrilled to be returning this year’s Scottish Style Awards to Glasgow, presented in celebration with Moët & Chandon and a host of prestigious partners. We are particularly excited to welcome Pollyanna as our host. Stylish and talented, she is guaranteed to receive a rapturous welcome on the 31st. “

Pollyannna added: “Delighted and honoured to be hosting this year’s Scottish Style Awards, an incredible celebration of the very best of all things cool and creative.  I can’t wait to see everyone in Glasgow for what is sure to be another legendary occasion!” 

 IZZY CAMERON, Moët & Chandon Regional Sales Manager, North said: 

"Moët is delighted to remain headline partner of the Scottish Style Awards for the 13th year – the nation’s most celebrated occasion of creative endeavour. Joining the Award’s annual toast to talent within Scottish style is an important part of our year-round global commitment to supporting the arts and culture, and there is no finer showcase."

STRICTLY’S JOE MCFADDEN IN TAGGART BID

Beverley Lyons 
STRICTLY winner Joe McFadden has thought of the perfect follow up to Holby City - playing legendary Scots detective Taggart in a remake of the series. 
Joe, who recently left the hospital soap was a guest on STV2s Late Show with Ewen Cameron when he told the presenter he’d be right up for the famous crime role. 
The 42 year old who is currently in Scotland to star in the live Strictly shows at the SSE Hydro revealed: “There are rumours of a remake of Taggart actually. That would be amazing. I’d do love to play Taggart. I’d do it in a heartbeat totally. It would be amazing. Should we start a campaign? It makes total sense. They are bringing all those shows back from eighties and it would totally work and you’d have to go different with him .  You couldn’t be all gruff. Mark McManus was amazing but you  couldn’t go similar to what he was. You’d have to shake it up a bit.  From your mouth to God’s ears. If Taggart comes back I’m absolutely interested.”
After Ewen suggested they have a meeting with the execs in the STV building after the show Joe roped in his dancing partner Katya and said: “We could have a glam Russian dancer killer in the first episode.”
The role would take Joe back to his first telly appearance when aged 12 he played a schoolboy on an episode entitled ‘The Root of Evil’ in 1988. 
He said: ”My first acting role was thirty years ago in a Taggart episode called the Root of Evil.  Every time I appeared on screen they played angelic choir music. I went to a really posh school in Edinburgh for it - George Elliot’s and being a little scrunter from the the south side of Glasgow I was like ‘oh god what am I doing in uniform?’ I had never worn a uniform before in my life .”
It was the test of the Glasgow Garden Festival and we had the wrap party on a boat.  It’s been enough time now that I can go thats a different person  now and not me anymore. I was a kid and didn’t know any better. Hopefully I got a bit better over the years.”
Joe has been enjoying his time back in Glasgow and as well as seeing friends and family went on a night out on Friday to the Polo Lounge with judge Craig Revel Horwood. 
An onlooker said: “Both men looked relaxed as they mingled with punters and were happy to away from the rigorous rules of the dance floor.”
Excerpts of this article have since appeared in the Scottish Sun 
From Scotland with Love - theshowbizlion.com

FAIRMONT ST ANDREWS WILL MAKE YOU FEEL FRESH AFTER LUXURY REFURB

Beverley Lyons

WITH a huge sparkling atrium, chandeliers, artwork and a spa that is heaven sent, it’s clear that you don’t have to play golf to stay at the luxurious Fairmont St Andrews hotel.
Theshowbizlion.com recently took in the incredible sights and style on offer at the 520 acre five star hotel and we really didn’t want to come home.
We were lucky enough to attend a night of fine cuisine courtesy of the UKs top chefs at the lavish venue and we also had time to explore the brand new fixtures and fittings in offer.
The hotel offers tranquility and cliff top views as well as two prestigious golf courses, a sumptuous spa, St Andrews bar and grill restaurant serving the freshest of steak and seafood, afternoon teas and 220 luxury guest rooms.
With offers of valet parking and a traditional concierge service it aims to make everyone feel like a VIP.
Modern portraits of Billy Connolly, JK Rowling, David Tennant and other global Scots adorn the corridors while stag heads, warm fireplaces, and wooden furnishings adorn public areas.
The spa itself offers everything from the pool, saunas and steam rooms to massages, facial and relaxation therapies using exclusive Aromatherapy Associates products in 10 chic treatment rooms.
The hotel service was second to none and although the hotel attracts an older crowd with its tongue in cheek spend your kids inheritance packages for seniors of sixty and over at around £126 a room per night it also offers dinner bed and breakfast packages around £96 per person per night and and spa escapes for £142 per person per night with full Scottish breakfast and a treatment included.
We opted for a facial and felt revived after just one night.
If you feel like a wee holiday to kick of the new year it could prove the perfect pick me up.

MUSIC LEGENDS THE JACKSONS TURN SCOTTISH FOR CHARITY AHEAD OF SCOTFEST GIG

Beverley Lyons
HERE’S music legend Tito Jackson trying out his awful Scottish accent to wish punters a great new year ahead of a Scots music fest next July.
Taking time out from his tour, the Blame It On The Boogie and ABC singer tried out Scottish slang like Hoots Mon and Lang May Yer Lum Reek as well as admitting he couldn’t wait to explore the capital’s haunted dungeons as he teamed up with Scotfest to give 500 free tickets to deserving children.
Tito and his famous brothers The Jacksons are coming to Edinburgh to play Scotfest eighties and nineties music event at Ingliston’s Royal Highland Centre on July 6 and 7.
The singer, who has just celebrated the band’s fiftieth birthday this year said:
“We love Scotland and can’t wait to play our full stage show for the first time at Scotfest in Edinburgh in July. We might even have a tour of the castle and haunted dungeons when we’re there.”
Revealing that organisers of the big bash have donated £12,000 worth of free tickets to the NSPCC with their blessing as a special present to those in need, he added: “My brothers and I are so happy that we and other artists can help the children of the NSPCC through Scotfest.
“It is important to remember those who are less fortunate than ourselves at this time of year. It’s a lovely idea for a unique New Year present and it will be great to see them boogieing to our music over the two day festival.
We are looking forward to meeting with other artists including Five Star, and Boyzone during our summer trip to Ingliston.”
Tito who reckons the impending visit will be pure brilliant managed to mispronounce Edinburgh in our video but also sent a New Year message to fans saying ‘Lang May Yer Lum Reek.’
Scotfest is bringing other acts including Liberty X, B*witched and 5ive as well as local talents Blue Delta, The Session and Timed Out to the 35,000 capacity event which takes place the same weekend as Glasgow’s TRNSMT festival.
Festival boss Mark Bennett who ran the PKD festival in Dunfermline for eight years which was nominated for Scotland’s Best Outdoor Festival in the Scottish Outdoor Leisure Awards, alongside events like T in the Park, is hoping to offer a family friendly event.
He said: “Charity has always been at the heart of the festival and we are delighted to team up with NSPCC this year. We’ll also be offering lots of child friendly activities during the festival and have special areas to keep the children safe while their parents enjoy a great weekend out.”