Motorcycle legend and winner of 11 Isle of Man TT’s, Phillip McCallen, was on hand to personally congratulate the Adelaide Advanced Motorcyclists at the group’s inaugural AGM at the office of Adelaide Insurance Services in Belfast on 20th October 2011.

Road Safety is at the heart of the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) – the UK’s leading road safety charity dedicated to increasing skills for all road users, raising driving and riding standards and helping to save lives on our roads. The Adelaide Advanced Motorcyclists is one of the 200 strong volunteer IAM groups throughout the UK. Since their official launch at the 2011 Adelaide Motorcycle Festival, the Adelaide Advanced Motorcyclists have ensured that 16 motorcyclists (and counting) have passed their IAM Advanced Riding Test, with no less than 16 qualified IAM Observers giving up their time to ensure that our roads are safer by ensuring that associates are more confident and capable by the end of their training.

As group President, Phillip along with members of the committee congratulated the members, associates and Observers for their efforts over the last year. Phillip McCallen commented on the group’s success:

“What this group has done in its fledgling year is outstanding! Our efforts in the second year will be to capitalise on the want and need for more advanced training. We must work together with all of the IAM groups in Northern Ireland to ensure that the road safety message is far reaching and not confined to one group… the potential here is huge and we need to be prepared to spread the word and let motorcyclists know that this facility is available to enhance their skills and maximise the whole riding experience by giving skills a boost and improving technique.”

The main focus of the Adelaide Advanced Motorcyclists is to help make riders safer and more responsible on our roads. Emphasis is on getting the maximum enjoyment out of the whole riding experience by boosting skills, improving technique & increasing ability and confidence. Once a rider passes the IAM Advanced Riding Test, they will be a more controlled, confident, and ultimately, a better rider. The group was set up to cope with the demand for more advanced rider training in Northern Ireland, the charity – Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) has joined forces with a number of local interested parties i.e. BikeSafe, Phillip McCallen Motorcycles, the Quay Vipers Motorcycle Club, Top Dead Centre Motorcycle Club and Adelaide Insurance Services to form this new IAM Group. Road Safety is at the heart of the IAM, and the Adelaide Advanced Motorcyclists will continue to work with each of the IAM Groups in Northern Ireland to ensure that motorcyclists are aware that this advanced training exists.

Interested bikers should register their interest now in taking the IAM’s Advanced Riding by emailing the group: aam@adelaideinsurance.com or contacting 028 9044 2200
If they prefer to rather get involved in rider training & testing (Observing & Examining) please also get in touch.

Come along for a spook-tacular day of fun at Belfast Zoo’s ‘Boo at the zoo’ Halloween event on Saturday 29 October 2011.

Enjoy eerie activities, including a ‘hallzooween’ trail, creepy crafts, reptile displays and animal feeding times.  There will also be spooky story telling with Mr Hullabaloo and you can learn more about bats with the Northern Ireland Bat Group.

Children under 18 will get free entry to the zoo, on Saturday 29 October, if they are in fancy dress, and they can also enter our fancy dress competition (under 16’s must be accompanied by an adult)!  You can also bring along your carved pumpkins and enter them into the ‘pumpkin patch competition’.

The fun doesn’t stop there, as every day from the 24 to 28 October, Belfast Zoo will be uploading, photos, desktop wallpapers and videos of the animals enjoying their special Halloween treats to www.belfastzoo.co.uk.

So grab your broomstick and bring your little horrors to Belfast Zoo to celebrate ‘Boo at the zoo’ on Saturday 29 October.

For more information visit www.belfastzoo.co.uk/events.

Business Live tour to promote exporting, importing & cross-border trade

Previously untold stories of international business success will be shared with hundreds of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and aspiring entrepreneurs as part of a major events tour being organised by Ulster Bank in association with Small Business Can.

Business Live will feature 14 dates across the island – five in Northern Ireland – between November and March at which all types of business people will hear that trading outside of your home market is probably easier than many think.

Organised in association with Smallbusinesscan.com, the series will kick off on the evening of November 16 at Riddel Hall, Belfast and culminate in Cookstown’s Burnavon Arts Centre on March 5 – taking in key towns and cities along the way.

On stage will be entrepreneurs who are trading successfully cross-border and internationally to share and discuss their experiences, mistakes and accomplishments with the audience of would-be, emerging and established exporters, importers and cross-border traders.

The events, which are free of charge to attend, will centre around an informal panel discussion chaired by entrepreneur and co-founder of Smallbusinesscan.com Fionan Murray, and will feature the opportunity for questions, networking and the chance to engage one-to-one with experts from Ulster Bank and other organisations, including InterTradeIreland.

Emma Jones, the influential author of Go Global: How to Take Your Business to the World, and an adviser to governments on the subject of enterprise, will kick off the first event in Belfast and will participate in the discussion and Q&A.

Panellists will range from online entrepreneurs whose micro businesses are selling over the internet around the world, to larger manufacturing companies with a footprint in established and emerging overseas markets. Firms who have significantly increased their customer-base and turnover by selling across the border will also feature prominently.

Many of the panellists are companies whose inspirational cross-border and international trade stories are little-known, and sharing them at the events is intended to provide motivation to other SMEs and aspiring entrepreneurs, says Ian Jordan, Head of Business and Commercial Banking NI at Ulster Bank.

He continues: “When you can communicate with potential customers and suppliers across the island and around the world 24/7 at little cost through the internet, it opens significant opportunities. This is one of the reasons why more and more SMEs are able to widen their customer-base and enhance their business by trading outside of their home market”.

“Exporting and importing aren’t just for larger companies with significant resources and cash reserves; we also see lots of potential for small and micro businesses, particularly online. That will be a key message of Business Live.

“I would encourage all SME owners to come to the events, including aspiring entrepreneurs, as there will be something for everyone to learn from the discussion, and the potential to meet and network with a wide range of like-minded business people and experts,” Mr Jordan says.

“As an all-island bank, and as part of an international group with people on the ground in 37 countries, we feel that Ulster Bank is very well placed to help SMEs to explore and capitalise on their potential to do business outside of their home market,” Mr Jordan adds.

More information about Business Live is available from Ulster Bank branches or at www.smallbusinesscan.com/business-live-events

Local companies featuring on the panels will include:

• CDE Global
• Urbanpup.com
• MastIreland
• MetHealthcare
• HandDrawnCreative
• FollowYourBag.com
• Boozeberries
• Up and Running

Tour dates:

• 16^th November, 2011: Riddel Hall, Belfast
• 21st November: Olive Grove Restaurant, Athlone
• 22nd November Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge
• 23rd November: Kilkenny Design Centre, Kilkenny
• 28th November: Braid Arts Centre, Ballymena
• 29th November: Carrickdale Hotel, Newry/Dundalk
• 2^nd February: Verbal Arts Centre, L/Derry
• 6^th February: The Strand Hotel, Limerick
• 7^th February: Clayton Hotel, Galway
• 8^th February: The Model School Art Gallery, Sligo
• 20^th February: Cork BIC, Cork
• 21^st February: Waterford Crystal Visitors Centre, Waterford
• 22^nd February: Stillorgan Hotel, Dublin
• 5^th March: Burnavon Arts Centre, Cookstown

The sounds of Belfast Music Week with MTV will be echoing throughout the concert halls, clubs – and now cinemas – of the city too, as QFT presents Mix Tape, an eclectic selection of sounds on screen from Sunday 30 October to Saturday 5 November.

We press ‘play’ on QFT Mix Tape on Sunday 30 October with The Story of Lover’s Rock, which explores the origins of the genre also known as ‘romantic reggae’ which developed in Britain in the late ’70s and ’80s against a backdrop of riots and racial tension. Music industry legend Terri Hooley will be raiding his DJ box for a special reggae set before the film in the Jameson Bar at QFT, from 4pm.

On Monday 31 October, QFT pays tribute to the unsung heroes of the indie record shop with a double bill featuring the fantastic new documentary Sound It Out and the big screen adaptation of the Nick Hornby classic High Fidelity. Jeff Doherty (Dragon Records) will be Djing in the Jameson Bar at QFT before and after the screening of Sound it Out.

Delivering a raw, energetic performance in front of a crowd who are clearly loving the show, The Rolling Stones: Some Girls, Live in Texas (Tuesday 1 November) is a never-before-seen concert movie which captures this world famous band at the height of their musical career.

Capturing the uniquely powerful live experience of Iceland’s Sigur Rós on film is no mean feat, but then again Inni (Saturday 5 November) is a concert film like no other. Directed by Arcade Fire collaborator Vincent Morriset, the film offers an intimate, emotionally charged and cinematic portrait of these four extraordinary musicians.

Tickets for all QFT Mix Tape screenings are £6 full price, £5 concessions and £4 students, children and QFT Film Card holders. For further information and online booking, please visit www.queensfilmtheatre.com

The National Trust are celebrating after receiving a fantastic accolade at the 20^th Northern Ireland Travel and Tourism Awards held at the Slieve Donard Hotel in Newcastle, Co. Down.

Attended by more than 400 travel and tourism industry VIP’s and decision makers from all parts of the UK and Ireland, the annual Awards ceremony was organised by the province’s travel newspaper, Northern Ireland Travel News.

Nominated and short listed for the Award of Best Northern Ireland Visitor Attraction, the Giant’s Causeway was listed alongside other highly popular attractions the Marble Arch Caves, The Ulster American Folk Park, Old Bushmills Distillery and the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum.

Award nominations in each category came from readers of the NI Travel News and in voting for their favourite attraction they were encouraged to consider: staff efficiency & friendliness, environment, parking, signposting, exhibitions & audio-visual, tour guides, special needs facilities, restaurant & toilet facilities, baby changing and value of money.

Commenting on the award Max Bryant, General Manager for the North Coast said;

“We’re absolutely delighted to have won the award for Best Visitor Attraction for the third year in a row. Annually we receive over half a million visitors from all over the globe but this award was voted for locally which makes it all the more special.  It just confirms how important and cherished the Giant’s Causeway is to Northern Ireland people and how collectively confident we are in moving on.

It’s an exciting time for the Giant’s Causeway with the new visitor centre beginning to take shape.  We made every effort over the summer to make a visit to the Causeway as smooth as possible and I’d encourage everyone to come and visit the site and see the breathtaking views of this World Heritage Site.”

To date A Giant Cause has raised over £850,000 as part of the final £2.5million funding needed to complete the £18.5million World Class Visitor Experience. The funds raised will go towards a new visitor centre, restoring the headland, building new car parks and ensuring the conservation and protection of the Causeway for future generations.

The new Giant’s Causeway Visitor Experience will be completed by summer 2012 and visitors are still encouraged to come and visit the site throughout the build process as it is business as usual.

London/Belfast, Thursday 20 October 2011 – MTV today announced that it will be conducting a search for more than 1500 of Northern Ireland’s most enthusiastic music fans to be part of the glittering 2011 MTV EMA, which will take place from Belfast’s Odyssey Arena, City Hall and Ulster Hall on the night of 6 November 2011.  The “2011 MTV EMA” will premiere on MTV on Sunday 6 November at 9pm GMT and is sponsored by Dell, Replay, Hyundai and Swatch.  Local host city support is provided by Belfast City Council and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board.

From 0800 on Sunday 30 October, MTV will be at the Waterfront Hall, 2 Lanyon Place, Belfast where they will be casting for music lovers over the age of 16 who can prove that they are effervescent, energetic and up for the 2011 MTV EMAs!

The successful 1500 will not only be given either standing or seated tickets (one per person) for the 2011 MTV EMA ceremony at the Odyssey Arena but some will also have the opportunity to get up, close and personal with some of the biggest artists in the world as they walk the famous EMA red carpet.

To be in with a chance of being selected for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, entrants must:

• Attend MTV’s casting event at the Waterfront Hall, Belfast in person on Sunday 30 October from 0800.

• Be over 16 and able to show photo ID (drivers’ licence or passport).
• Be dynamic, confident and effervescent with a clear love of a wide variety of music.
• Be happy to follow clear instructions

Commented Richard Godfrey, Executive Producer, 2011 MTV EMA: “ Our priority is ensuring that as many Northern Irish music fans as possible can be part of the 2011 MTV EMA so we’re looking for anyone with lots of enthusiasm to literally be part of the ceremony.  The search will be open to anyone that is over 16, but there’s no upper age limit – we’re just looking for fun, charismatic people that love music as much as we do!”

MTV’s casting for 1,500 music lovers to be part of the 2011 MTV EMA marks the third and final initiative that the network is staging for Northern Irish music fans to be part of the 2011 MTV EMA.

On Sunday 16 October, MTV distributed 15,000 tickets for its 2011 MTV EMA event at City Hall, which will also take place on 6 November and feature Snow Patrol and Jason Derulo – with a track from Snow Patrol’s performance being beamed into the ceremony at the Odyssey Arena.

In addition, tickets to the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ 60-minute set, which will take place from the intimate Ulster Hall on 6 November, will go on sale from Ulster Hall on Saturday 22 October from 0900 at a cost of £42.40 sterling per ticket (including booking fee – maximum two tickets per person).

About the 2011 MTV EMA

The 2011 MTV EMA will be hosted by Selena Gomez. Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, Coldplay, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jessie J, LMFAO, Snow Patrol and Jason Derulo are confirmed to perform, and Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi, Jenni “JWOWW” Farley and Awkward star Ashley Rickards are confirmed to present. Queen will be honored with this year’s Global Icon award and will also take the stage for a special performance. More performers and presenters will be announced in the coming weeks. Viewers can vote for their favorite EMA artists by visiting www.mtvema.com. Lady Gaga leads the pack of EMA nominees with six nods, with Katy Perry and Bruno Mars following closely behind with four nominations. Adele, Justin Bieber and Thirty Seconds To Mars are each up for three awards. Other EMA nominees include Foo Fighters, Snoop Dogg, My Chemical Romance, Jennifer Lopez, LMFAO, Jessie J, Beyoncé, Coldplay, Eminem, Arcade Fire, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Far East Movement, Kanye West, Linkin Park, Wiz Khalifa and Kings of Leon. Richard Godfrey and Bruce Gillmer are Executive Producers for the “2011 MTV EMA.”  For all MTV EMA news and announcements, check out EMA on Facebook and follow us @ EMA Twitter.  For MTV EMA press materials, please visit press.mtvema.com.

BUCCANEERING CREWS FROM CZECH REPUBLIC, USA AND COSTA RICA SHARE CAPTAIN MORGAN’S BOUNTY

Monday 17^th October: After three days of high-spirited competition and legendary parties on The Captain’s Island, the event reached a fitting finale as buccaneering crews from Costa Rica, Czech Republic and USA agreed to share Captain Morgan’s bounty, walking away from The Island with a doubled prize pot. Instead of one team winning the full $15,000 bounty available, the three teams decided to share the prize and because of this display of Captain-like camaraderie, Captain Morgan increased the prize to $30,000.  Actress Mena Suvari, reporting from The Captain’s Island throughout, was on-hand to award the prize to the victorious three teams.

Teams from 13 different countries battled it out in a series of challenges developed to test their Captain-like traits over the course of the three day adventure in the Caribbean.  The Leadership Challenge on Day One, won by the team from USA, involved a beach-based assault course which tested team-working and of course, leadership.  Day One also saw an historic Determination Challenge where teams had to hold the Captain’s Pose for as long as possible. The team from the Czech Republic narrowly beat the UK team in a final that lasted a grueling 42 minutes – setting a new world record!

Day Two started early for all crews involved, with Captain Morgan and his Morganettes waking guests on his Island before sunrise to undertake a devilishly difficult giant puzzle. The Czech team won their second chest of The Captain’s Island by completing this Clever Thinking Challenge in the quickest time.

The afternoon witnessed crews showing what they’re made of in the Bravado Challenge. Teams leapt from Captain Morgan’s ship before racing to find an underwater key which unlocked a padlock the teams had to locate in a tank filled with unspeakably slimy things. From there the teams raced to one of the Captain’s chests to attach the padlocks. In a tightly fought contest, the Costa Ricans managed to finish the course in the quickest possible time.

The last day on The Captain’s Island saw a momentous battle for the fifth chest – and final chance to win The Captain’s Bounty – in the Camaraderie Challenge. After a morning where crews created their finest sea-worthy rafts, the race was on to complete a course with all three members on the raft and return to the beach with their vessel still intact. The USA team was the eventual winners beating closest rivals the Czech’s, who were on the hunt for a third chest, by 20 seconds.

Captain Morgan commented: “Wow, what an incredible three days on my Island. I knew competition from the 13 countries taking part was going to be fierce but I was amazed by the shows of camaraderie throughout. There was a lot at stake – a $15,000 bounty should not be taken lightly – but to see those guys from Czech Republic, USA and Costa Rica decide to share the winnings was awesome. It made me proud and I’d invite them to join my crew any day.”

Ireland Captain, Ross McDonald, from Belfast, was overjoyed by the experience: “We have had an amazing few days on the island with Captain Morgan and Mena Suvari! The challenges have been… interesting! The others teams were fantastic and the guys from Czech Republic, USA and Costa Rica deserved the cash prize.”

The Captain’s Island may be over for this year, but the spirit of Captain Morgan lives on. For more pictures, commentary and videos of The Captain’s Island, visit the Captain at www.facebook.com/CaptainMorganIreland.

The Captain’s Island contest is only open to 18 years olds and older.

Drink Responsibly
Drinkaware.co.uk for the facts

Friday 14^th October: BUSHMILLS® Irish Whiskey launched its new ‘BUSHMILLS Brothers – Since Way Back’ campaign with some great friends, bringing Belfast to life with a surprise performance.

Fresh from his appearance with Snow Patrol on Jools Holland, singer-songwriter Foy Vance joined with Mark ‘Mash’ Ashbridge of Communion Belfast, to launch the campaign in their own creative style – with an impromptu busk in the centre of Belfast in front of a large crowd, who flocked to the city after seeing leaks on Facebook and Twitter.

The campaign is a local execution of a global initiative that celebrates the lives and brotherly friendships of artists and influencers across the world including acclaimed band Bon Iver, actor Elijah Wood, and electrofunk duo Chromeo and collaborates with each to produce creative, inspired content that reflects each of their passions.

Today, these internationally acclaimed acts are joined by a group of friends who have helped put local music on a global stage – Iain Archer, Bradley Quinn, Mark ‘Mash’ Ashbridge and Foy Vance.

Iain Archer, singer-songwriter / producer is a former member of Snow Patrol and Ivor Novello-winning writer of tracks such as Run and Chocolate; Bradley Quinn, the source of every behind-the-scenes image coming from Snow Patrol; Mark ‘Mash’ Ashbridge, of Communion Belfast who are a creative platform for the best of new music talent from both Northern Ireland and further afield; and Foy Vance, the local signer-songwriter who has been hailed as an inspiration by Ed Sheeran, had multiple sell out shows across the UK and numerous tracks on the Grey’s Anatomy soundtrack have all today announced their partnership with the Irish Whiskey. Their friendships have grown through school, university and touring across the globe, and they are now collaborating to create something special for BUSHMILLS.
Iain, Bradley, Mash and Foy will be appearing on ‘BUSHMILLS Brothers – Since Way Back’ billboards across the country and in press advertisements in the coming months.

They will be joined in the campaign by Irish Rugby Internationals and good friends Rory Best and Denis Leamy – who have been sending updates to BUSHMILLS Facebook and Twitter fans from New Zealand and will featuring heavily on the social media sites throughout the campaign.

Foy said: “Mash, Iain, Bradley and I are basically a group of guys all doing what we love, creating things that inspire us and those around us – just like BUSHMILLS. So it’s great to work with a whiskey we love, to create some new things with our mates. It’s what the best things in life are all about!”

Rory Best said: “I’ve been involved with BUSHMILLS Irish Whiskey for a number of years, so getting involved in ‘BUSHMILLS Brothers – Since Way Back’ was a no-brainer. Denis and I have been friends since we first played schools rugby, so I had to get him involved.”

Jenny Kiernan, BUSHMILLS Brand Manager, Western Europe “BUSHMILLS has always been proud to recognise timeless friendships and brotherhood, and the creativity that stems from both. ‘BUSHMILLS Brothers – Since Way Back’ gives us the opportunity to develop additional opportunities and outlets for our involved groups of guys to express their craft while still conveying the spirit of this reliable, warm Irish Whiskey that comes from a community that has been celebrating friendships for hundreds of years.”

Check out the BUSHMILLS Irish Whiskey Facebook (facebook.com/Bushmills1608) and Twitter (@BushmillsGlobal) pages for announcements and collaborations.

LEGENDARY ROCKERS QUEEN TO BE PRESENTED WITH THE GLOBAL ICON AWARD

AT THE “2011 MTV EMA”

THE 18^TH ANNUAL AWARDS SHOW PREMIERES

SUNDAY, 6^th NOVEMBER AT 9PM BST

LONDON / NEW YORK – 19 October 2011 – Queen, one of the most dynamic and influential rock bands of all time, will be honoured with the Global Icon Award at the “2011 MTV EMA”, MTV announced today. The legendary rock band will also take the stage for a special performance. This year marks the 40^th anniversary of Queen’s formation in 1971; since then, these Rock and Roll Hall of Famers have garnered a long list of accomplishments and accolades, including career sales of more than 300 million albums, 16 No. 1 albums, 18 No. 1 singles and the UK’s top-selling album of all time (their Greatest Hits compilation has sold a staggering 5.7 million copies). Hosted by Selena Gomez, the “2011 MTV EMA” will premiere Sunday, 6th November at 9PM BST from Belfast, Northern Ireland, and is sponsored by Dell, Replay, Hyundai and Swatch. Local host city support is provided by Belfast City Council and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board.

“We are honoured to be designated a Global Icon.  We will do our best to be worthy!” said Queen’s Brian May.

“Over the past four decades, Queen has made an indelible impact on the pop music landscape. They are passionately revered by generations of fans and musicians across the globe,” said Bruce Gillmer, Executive Vice President of Talent and Music Programming / Events for Viacom International Media Networks. “We are absolutely thrilled that they will be joining us at this year’s MTV EMA, and we look forward to a very special performance.”

About Queen

Formed in 1971, Queen (Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor, John Deacon) signed their first recording contract with EMI in late 1972. In July 1973, Queen released their first single ‘Keep Yourself Alive’, followed closely by their debut album, Queen. 1974 saw the release of the band’s second album, Queen II, containing their first hit single ‘Seven Seas of Rhye’ which charted in the UK at number 10. This was followed by a second hit single (their first US hit), ‘Killer Queen’, taken from the Sheer Heart Attack album, followed later in the year by a major UK tour.

1975 saw the release of the epic single ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, taken from A Night at the Opera. At 5’ 55” it should have been too long for successful radio play, but even so it went to No. 1 in the UK chart and stayed there for an unprecedented nine consecutive weeks, becoming one of the greatest singles of all time. In 1977, Queen issued the single ‘We Are The Champions’ coupled with ‘We Will Rock You’. Both songs would soon become among the band’s most popular and best loved of their career – and long after. ‘The Champions/Rock You’ pairing is one of the most famous and most played in the world. The single was followed by the release of Queen’s sixth album, News of the World, from which they come, in October 1977. From then on, the band released album after album, and toured all over Europe, Japan, the U.S. and South America. At the end of 1981 the band teamed up with David Bowie for the single that was to become one of their biggest worldwide hits, and one of the most covered and sampled of all Queen songs, ‘Under Pressure’. 1984 saw the single ‘Radio Ga Ga’ from The Works become a worldwide hit, reaching No. 1 in 19 countries.

1986 saw the 12th album, A Kind Of Magic, effectively the soundtrack to the Russell Mulcahy film, ‘Highlander’. The album returned the band to No.1 on the charts in many territories. Queen toured Europe throughout the year, culminating with two legendary concerts at Wembley Stadium, and their biggest ever in the UK, an open air show at Knebworth Park, in August. Unbeknown at the time, this was to be Queen’s last ever concert with Freddie Mercury.

In 1991, Queen’s last true studio album with Freddie, Innuendo, was released in February. Both the title track single and the album entered the charts at No.1 on their first week of release in the UK. The last track released as a single, ‘The Show Must Go On’ came in November 1991, just weeks before Freddie Mercury would lose his struggle with HIV AIDS.

On 23rd November 1991 Freddie Mercury announced to the world that he had AIDS and the next day he died peacefully at his home. He remains the most high profile loss from the disease in the entertainment world and the news shocked fans throughout the world. As a tribute ‘Bohemian Rhapsody /These Are The Days Of Our Lives’ was released as a double A-sided single to raise funds for the Terence Higgins Trust. It entered the UK chart at No. 1, where it stayed for five weeks, raising over £1,000,000 for the charity, and Queen became the first band to have the same single top the UK charts twice. In December of that year Queen had 10 albums in the UK Top 100. In 1992 Freddie was awarded posthumously the BRIT’s “Outstanding Contribution to British Music” and ‘Days Of Our Lives’ won Best Single. In April, many of the world’s top stars joined Brian, Roger and John on stage at Wembley for an emotional tribute to Freddie.

In 1995 the unreleased tracks Queen had begun in 1991 with Freddie were completed by Brian, Roger and John and the long-awaited Made in Heaven was released worldwide, to huge acclaim and success. It was the last Queen album ever to feature Freddie, and it was the end of an era.

In May 2002 the hit musical We Will Rock You opened to sell-out audiences in London’s West End. The show has seen local productions staged throughout the world, including Spain, Australia, Germany, Russia, Italy, Japan, South Asia, Las Vegas, Canada and across Europe. To date more than 12 million people have seen the show.

In October 2002, Queen received their own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, joining The Beatles as one of only a handful of non-US bands to receive this much coveted honor. In 2004 Queen was inducted into the Rock and Roll Walk of Fame, and was also voted by the UK public into the first UK Music Hall of Fame. From 2005 to 2008, Brian and Roger took Queen onto the touring circuit again, for the first time since 1986, joined by former Free/Bad Company singer, songwriter and musical Paul Rodgers, playing concerts across the UK, Europe, North and South America and Japan. For more information about Queen, please visit www.queenonline.com.

About the 2011 MTV EMA

The “2011 MTV EMA” will be hosted by multi-talented singer and actress Selena Gomez.  Queen joins previously announced performers Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, Coldplay, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jessie J, LMFAO, Snow Patrol and Jason Derulo, with Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi, Jenni “JWOWW” Farley and Awkward star Ashley Rickards confirmed to present. More performers and presenters will be announced in the coming weeks. Viewers can vote for their favorite EMA artists by visiting www.mtvema.com. Lady Gaga leads the pack of EMA nominees with six nods, with Katy Perry and Bruno Mars following closely behind with four nominations. Adele, Justin Bieber and Thirty Seconds To Mars are each up for three awards. Other EMA nominees include Foo Fighters, Snoop Dogg, My Chemical Romance, Jennifer Lopez, LMFAO, Jessie J, Beyoncé, Coldplay, Eminem, Arcade Fire, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Far East Movement, Kanye West, Linkin Park, Wiz Khalifa and Kings of Leon. Richard Godfrey and Bruce Gillmer are Executive Producers for the “2011 MTV EMA.”  For all MTV EMA news and announcements, check out EMA on Facebook and follow us @ EMA Twitter.  For MTV EMA press materials, please visit press.mtvema.com.

An exciting new concept for kids has arrived at the OUTLET shopping village Banbridge: W5 Lite.

In an exciting first for one of Northern Ireland’s top family attractions, W5 has brought its award-winning interactive discovery experience outside Belfast, to join the host of big brands at the OUTLET.

W5 Lite is a free taster experience at the OUTLET and will offer families the opportunity to enjoy some of W5’s hands-on exhibits: interactives such as Flying Fish, One in a Million, Sound Tube and others which develop creativity and skills in animation.

Centre Manager of the OUTLET, Chris Nelmes said, “We are delighted with our new partnership with W5.  It’s a genuinely exciting innovation that provides something for young families that isn’t available at any other retail centre in Ireland. W5 Lite extends our offer to shoppers who are looking for great value as well as a fun day out. We hope it will be a great success.”

Chris Nelmes continued, “W5 Lite is all about grown-ups sharing experiences and discovery together with the younger members of the family.  Smart shoppers will know we have an array of big brands offering superb outlet prices all year round at the OUTLET.  Now you can bring the kids, spend the day together, shop, eat out and discover W5 Lite too.

“Don’t tell the children you know, but many of the exhibits at W5 Lite are linked to things they are learning about at school. This gives them a fantastic opportunity to get an independent hands-on try at things like animation, in a pressure-free fun environment – and a unique chance to show off their knowledge to their parents and carers.”

The OUTLET shopping village attracts large numbers of visitors from all over Northern Ireland as well as a substantial number of cross-border shoppers.

Chris Nelmes said, “The opening of W5 Lite at the OUTLET is an important step in the development of Banbridge as a gateway to other destination tourism opportunities throughout Northern Ireland.  By creating a truly value for money family destination, we hope this will encourage Irish visitors to come back and find out more about what’s on offer in the region.”

Liam Hannaway, Chief Executive of Banbridge District Council said, “This is a great new addition to the OUTLET and we are delighted to welcome the arrival of W5 to our area.  This will have tremendous appeal for local families and we hope it will provide an even more compelling reason to visit Banbridge, to spend time exploring the wide range of sporting, cultural and retail opportunities in the area and supporting the region’s economy.”

The launch of W5 Lite also marks a new partnership between the OUTLET and W5, which will see the OUTLET sponsoring W5’s interactive START area for the under-eights in its Odyssey Belfast-based attraction.  Here, children can build a house, make a splash and sail their own boat, make music, explore a castle and play shop in a miniature-scale supermarket.

W5 Chief Executive Dr Sally Montgomery said, “This is an exciting new partnership for W5 which makes really sound sense.  The OUTLET is seeing visitors coming from all over Ireland in search of great value outlet shopping. W5 is enjoying large numbers of local families, overseas tourists and schools visitors coming to share our interactive exhibits, events and experiences.  This new partnership gives both organisations a great opportunity to showcase what they do to a fresh audience, add value to the other and, we hope, ultimately to drive and develop each other’s business.  These unique partnerships are really important in Northern Ireland’s future as a tourism destination, as we are all striving for the same shared economic success.”