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nzgirl arts guru Sarah has her finger on the pulse of all that's cool. Honest to who! Check out her latest fabulous Arts Insider guide, with everything you needed to know in the world of art, crafts, theatre, books and FREE COFFEE hookups - yes please! She knows her stuff so you'd be mad to miss it...
 Scarlett Johansson
Debut Album: Anywhere I Lay My Head
When I heard that Scarlett Johansson was releasing an album, of course my first thoughts were ‘not another celeb that thinks she can sing’! But I am a bit of a fan of old Scarlett so I thought I would do a bit of digging and see if I could find some songs to hear how she was. I initially found the romantic and enchanting ‘Summertime’ (listen here) a cover of George Gershwin’s lullaby on a celebrity compilation of covers.
I then found Scarlett’s first single 'Falling Down’ (listen here) and was quite taken aback at the difference in her voice, and the lower tones and dark melodic tunes, especially when compared to the soft romantic ‘Summertime’. The album is all Tom Waits covers (hear him here) except one song written by Scarlett - ‘Song for Joe’. And if you have ever heard Tom Waits' rough, raw voice before you would be sceptical too. But of course she sounds nothing like him, putting her own spin and personality on the music and is even accompanied by David Bowie on a couple of the tracks.
Scarlett has been slammed and applauded by different music critics, but I have to say that the album is brilliant. It's very real, very sweet, yet dark and mysterious at the same time. I am hooked and play it most days over my headphones. Inside the CD booklet Will Welch sums it up well when he says; “Scarlett’s voice appears-handsome and forceful-but somebody has positioned it inside the music rather than on top of it.”
Buy the album here.
If you like Scarlett, you may also like; Cat Power, Adele, Feist and Mazzy Star.
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TV:
Skins Season two on C4
The UK drama series Skins returns to C4 with a new series that follows the lives and lusts of a group of spliff toting British teens. I’m stoked because they are starting the season off with the final episode of last season so we can all catch up. Skins is so addictive, if you haven’t seen it so far, you are missing out on some good gritty British drama. Think sex, drugs, and awkward teenage angst all mixed in with everyday school life and day-to-day issues. Season two premieres on Monday June 30 at 8.30pm only on C4. Catch up online at www.c4tv.co.nz, the first episode will be available to be viewed until 6 July... so be quick!
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| Photography:
Snap Happy Exhibition
Cross Street Studios, 27 Cross Street, Auckland
Monday, 16 June 2008 - Saturday, 28 June 2008
"A snapshot is popularly defined as a photograph that is shot spontaneously and quickly, most often without artistic or journalistic intent". The collective is joined by overseas counterparts, London and Melbourne based, in this exhibition of unintentional art stemming from the obsession and desire to capture and share the world around them. | | | | | | | |  |
Theatre:
Love Song
Circa Theatre, 1 Taranaki St, Wellington
14 June 2008 - 19 July 2008
Beane is eccentric – an outsider from life – an oddball. Though his sister Joan and brother-in-law Harry try to make time for him, they can’t get through. But when Beane’s apartment is burgled, Joan is bemused to find him fabulously happy – what is the story behind his mysterious new love Molly? With its sharp, quirky humour, compassion for human foibles, and glimpse of the power of the imagination, Love Song gives a wonderful insight into the beautiful contagiousness of love.
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Literature:
Harper’s Bazaar 10 Years of Fashion Photography
This luxurious hard-cover coffee table book, published to celebrate Harper’s Bazaar's 10th birthday in Australia, serves as a photographic history of the magazine. This collection features the most stunning and celebrated images by contributing photographers. The book is a large 240 pages filled with beautiful images in black and white and colour. One of my favourite shots is near the centre; Sophie Delaporte, Big Red Book, 2006. This book would be an awesome present for a fashionista or photographer friend, or a pretty little present for yourself! RRP: $39.99, Click here to buy.
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Art Director's Pick:
Nut and Bee
nzgirl Annette Lauder has created a range of original character goods including, sketchbooks, writing sets, magnets, stickers, toys, notepads and more. Her designs are developed from Nut and Bee's Sketchbook Sweeties, a series of illustrations published thrice weekly. They are very, very cute and the fact that the stationery is handmade really hooked me. Check them all out here.
| | | | | | | | | Page compiled by Sarah Gauntlett |
*NB: This voucher is only available Monday - Friday. |
