URN

We've got Gemma coming in to the show this Sunday to give us some extra info about Africa week. It's a really great initiative set up by student volunteers (see info below) and there are a wide variety of events going on in and around Campus/Lenton/Nottingham. Get involved! From film screenings and pub quizzes, workshops and charity stalls, to music and football events, there's something for all interests and it's set to be an exciting week of culture!

Our music theme this week will be AFRICA! so tune in to get you in the mood...

See http://www.su.nottingham.ac.uk/news/article/6001/2562/ for details of events.

"Africa Week is running from Monday 7th - Sunday 13th March, the second week of Fairtrade Fortnight. The week was set up several years ago by some students volunteering for Working in Tandem. Working in Tandem continues to organise this week every year to celebrate the diverse cultures of Africa as well as raising awareness of development issues, and hopefully to raise some money in the process. Many African societies and charities, inside and outside the university are working together to bring you a week of African culture."Africa Week! 7th - 13th March 2011

The Operas that are being performed at the Theatre Royal are:

- The Merry Widow Tuesday 16 November & Thursday 18 November 7.30pm
"A joyous evening of fun and romance is in store, with glorious music, sumptuous period costumes and dazzling choreography.

This new production, set in 1905, infuses Parisian sensuality with Viennese sophistication as the young, beautiful and exceptionally wealthy widow, Hanna Glawari seeks a new husband who will love her for herself and not her fortune.

With a glittering cast and creative team, this timeless classic will be a treat."

- The Turn of the Screw Wednesday 17 November 7.30pm
"Britten's edge-of-your-seat psychological thriller is based on a chilling Henry James ghost story, recently televised by the BBC.

A governess fights to protect two children from malignant spirits, but are the spirits real or is the governess unstable? And what evil occurred before her arrival?

Britten's hauntingly atmospheric music winds up the tension to breaking point, and this 1920s-set production will grip from first note to last."

- The Adventures of Pinocchio Friday 19 November 7pm & Saturday 20 November 2.30pm
"The irresistible story of the wooden boy who longs to be real is brought bursting to life in this musical tale for all the family.

Tate Modern has been forced to close the giant Turbine Hall's sunflower seeds commission to public access because the surge of interest has created 'dangerous levels of dust.' Visitors can now look but not touch the exbition, the opposite to what was intended by Chinese artist Ai Weiwei.

The exhibition opened on Tuesday 12th October; 14,000 visitors flocked to see the work and began to canoodle and build 'seedcastles' as if it were an indoor beach. Many stole pieces as souvenirs (next stop - ebay?)

Yesterday site-officials cordoned off the area while curators held talks with the artist over the damage being caused to the seeds, which were all individually crafted, painted and fired. Another worry is that the seeds wouldn’t last the 6 months.

A Tate spokeswoman issued this explanation: "Although porcelain is very robust, the enthusiastic interaction of visitors has resulted in a greater than expected level of dust in the Turbine Hall. Tate has been advised that this dust could be damaging to health following repeated inhalation over a long period of time."

It was then decided to close public access to the artwork permanently.

Jimmy Choo’s H&M collaboration finally hit the stores last weekend, after much anticipation! The eighties-inspired party wardrobe definitely does not fall short of expectations, with such stand-out pieces as electric-blue strappy stilettos, vagina-high boots and some slightly odder creations such as crocodile-skin-coated, diamond-encrusted, cowboy-style loafers. What a combination.

H&M's turn for the glamorous is also featuring the first ever Jimmy Choo ready-to-wear collection, featuring ladies bags, clothes and accessories as well as the designer's signature items: shoes. The store has rejected its fast-fashion image for this collection, opting for an all-out high-fashion advertising campaign featuring models such as Sasha Pivovarova and Edita Vilkeviciute. The collection is far more luxe than H&M's usual cheap and chic ranges, so do not expect the usual price tags: prices for clothing range from £40.00 - £150.00, and shoes are priced between £50 - £180.

While H&M may be aspiring to have the next Kate Moss for Topshop collection, I am uncertain that shoppers will feel satisfied by cheap Choo’s. Why bother buying a pair of Jimmy Choo’s if you are likely to see everyone else sporting the very same pair? The appeal of designer clothes should be their exquisiteness, and it seems that this quality has been lost in the H&M collection.