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Day: 22 March 2023

Formula E: Everything you need to know about the Monaco ePrix

by: Luke Entwistle
22/03/2023

From scheduling to ticketing, Monaco Life tells you everything you need to know about the Monaco ePrix as Formula E prepares to make its ninth passage through the Principality.

Monaco’s motor-sporting month of May kicks off with the Monaco ePrix. The event has grown in popularity since the first race back in 2015 and it is now a yearly fixture on the Formula E calendar. With preparations for the event already in full swing, Monaco Life brings you all the relevant information on what is sure to be an enthralling race.

What is Formula E?

Formula E is a single-seater motor-racing series that is currently in its ninth season. It was conceptualised by the FIA’s Jean Todt as an ecological alternative to mainstream motorsports, notably Formula One, which sought to put sustainable development at the heart of the project.

The electric series develops and showcases green energies at circuits around the world. The Gen3 series car, which was unveiled in Monaco last year, and which is being driven by this year’s grid, is the most efficient and the fastest car to date.

Teams and drivers

The grid itself is filled with recognisable drivers, many of whom have driven in Formula One at some stage of their careers. Pascal Wehrlein, Jean-Eric Vergne, Sébastien Buemi, Lucas Di Grassi and Stoffel Vandoorne – who won last year’s Monaco ePrix – will all be at this year’s edition.

Photo at La Rascasse by Jaguar Mena

There is also a specific Monégasque interest. The Monaco team Maserati Monaco Sports Group (MSG) Racing, formerly known as ROKiT Venturi Racing, will once again line up on the grid.

Unlike last year, the local outfit isn’t challenging at the front, with Edoardo Mortara and Maximilian Günther currently languishing in the midfield. However, MSG have made improvements in recent races and they will be hoping to put themselves in contention on their home track.

Monaco ePrix schedule

Unlike the Formula One race, the Monaco ePrix action is packed into just one day, minimising disruption in the Principality. The event will take place on Saturday 6th May, three weeks before the Monaco Grand Prix. The schedule for the Monaco ePrix is as follows:

07:30-08:00 – Free Practice 1

09:10-09:40 – Free Practice 2

10:40-11:55 – Qualifying

15:03-16:03 – Race

Monaco ePrix tickets

Tickets for the event are currently available and have been since 14th December. As a result, some of the prime viewing spots are beginning to sell up. However, many of the top seats remain available.

Some of the best views can be found around La Rascasse corner. Due to the nature of motor-racing, and especially racing around a street circuit, the cars pass in the blink of an eye. In Monaco, there are plenty of giant screens to follow the action, whilst some stands also have views of the pitlanes. These are arguably the best seats in town.

Photo from Cale de Halage stand by Monaco Life

The following stands have views of a big screen, as well as of the pitlane:

– Tribune L – Piscine Rainier III

– Tribune T1 – Cale de Halage

– Tribune T2 – Cale de Halage

Tickets are very reasonably priced. Children between the ages of six and 15, who are accompanied by an adult, attend for free, whilst all other tickets are priced at €30. Tickets can be bought at the Monaco ePrix online ticket office or from the ticketing office at 44 Rue Grimaldi.

The track

Since 2021, the cars have followed the Formula One circuit, as opposed to a shorter layout that had been used during the first three editions of the race. The 3.3km long circuit includes 19 turns and will go through iconic corners such as Casino Square, the Fairmont Hairpin, the Monaco tunnel and La Rascasse.

Resurfacing on the circuit has already begun, with 50% of the work already completed. The mammoth annual task is essential for the functioning not only of the ePrix, but also for the Grand Prix later in May.

Given the technological improvements made by the electric racing series this year, the ninth edition of the Monaco ePrix looks set to be the most exciting yet.

 

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Photo by Maserati MSG Racing

IPCC issues “final warning” on ensuing climate crisis in its latest report

by: Elsa Carpenter
22/03/2023
ipcc climate crisis

Damage to the world’s climate will be irrevocable if we do not act now – and act drastically. That is the stern and humbling message of the IPCC’s final report. Some are calling it the last possible warning to avert a deadly global scenario before it is too late.  

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, or IPCC, is made up of countless leading climate scientists from around the world. For eight years, they have worked on a world-view report into the climate crisis, with their findings – and warnings – widely acknowledged at the highest levels.  

This newly released sixth part in the report contains the most sobering facts and language yet. The report says we are now at a crucial point; the chance of limiting global temperature rises to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels by reducing greenhouse gas emissions could be slipping through our fingers.  

Temperatures are now at 1.1C according to the IPCC, so while there is still hope of staying within 1.5C, “the report underscores the urgency of taking more ambitious action and shows that, if we act now, we can still secure a liveable sustainable future for all”, explained Hoesung Lee, the chair of the IPCC.  

“This report is a clarion call to massively fast-track climate efforts by every country and every sector and on every timeframe,” said the UN secretary general, António Guterres. “Our world needs climate action on all fronts: everything, everywhere, all at once.” 

Guterres also called on the world’s wealthiest nations to rapidly speed up their attempts to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions “as close as possible to 2040” instead of the 2050 most have announced. 

“The climate timebomb is ticking,” he said. “But today’s report is a how-to guide to defuse the climate timebomb. It is a survival guide for humanity. As it shows, the 1.5C limit is achievable.” 

 

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Photo source: Christ LeBoutillier for Unsplash

Ricky Martin to perform with Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra for one night only in Monaco

by: Elsa Carpenter
22/03/2023
ricky martin monaco

It’s a quirky coupling: at the Monte-Carlo Summer Festival this July, Ricky Martin will combine with Monaco’s Philharmonic Orchestra for the Ricky Martin Symphonic. 

Who doesn’t love the catchy, danceable tunes of Ricky Martin? Livin’ La Vida Loca is practically a pop anthem and other hits like She Bangs are hip-movers of the highest degree.  

The Monte-Carlo Summer Festival has cottoned onto his enduring appeal and has booked him to perform hit after hit on 11th July for a one-night event with the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra at the Salle des Etoiles.  

Under the conductorship of Yvan Cassar, Ricky and over 45 musicians from the Orchestra will put on a concert to remember: the Ricky Martin Symphonic.  

SUCCESS STORY 

Martin, a multi-Grammy winner with 95 platinum and 40 gold records to his name, has been a performer since 1991 in the Latin world, crossing over to global audiences after the success of his 1998 World Cup anthem La Copa de la Vida made it to the Grammy Awards.  

For more than two decades, he has maintained his fame in the music world, but is also known as a top-notch writer, philanthropist, entrepreneur and actor.  

MONACO CONCERT 

Ricky Martin Symphonic will be a dinner show, with doors at the Salle des Etoiles opening at 8pm for a 10.30pm show. The minimum age for guests is seven and proper attire is required, meaning a jacket for the gents and appropriate cocktail-wear for ladies.  

For tickets and more information, please click here.

 

Do you have an event in Monaco or the French Riviera that you would like us to include in our What’s On section and events calendar? Please email editor@monacolife.net.  

 

Photo source: Monte-Carlo Summer Festival

 

 

  

 

Monaco Ocean Week: Prince Albert launches ReOcean Fund to encourage private investors to save the oceans

by: Cassandra Tanti
22/03/2023

Prince Albert, his Foundation and Monaco Asset Management have officially launched the ReOcean Fund, an initiative that targets private investment for innovative, high-impact solutions for the ocean, because “philanthropy is simply not enough”.

It was in the presence of HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco on Tuesday 21st March that the ReOcean Fund was launched during Monaco Ocean Week.

“There are very few tasks as vast, complex, overwhelming and yet as urgent as the ones we are dealing with here: to save the Ocean,” said Prince Albert. “The Ocean needs us, and it needs you.”

The ReOcean Fund will funnel €100 million over 10 years to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14 ‘Life Below Water’, which aims to catalyse the next generation of ocean innovations to support the transition towards a net-zero, regenerative and more equitable economy.

“The creation of the ReOcean fund is in line with the efforts undertaken for many years by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation to promote the most innovative companies that have an impact on the safeguard of life below water,” said Olivier Wenden, CEO of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, during the launch.

Finding innovative solutions for the Ocean 

The ReOcean Fund has four aims: reduce key sources of pollution in the ocean; transform the way we produce blue food and travel across the ocean; protect marine ecosystems and the critical services they provide; and inform and equip ocean stakeholders with robust and transparent data.

The fund will support early but proven innovations, focusing on Series A and B. It aims to leverage networks in and around Monaco to identify opportunities to deploy or platform solutions.

Philanthropy is not enough

The ReOcean Fund aims to attract private investors to inject funds into projects selected by a committee composed of experts in the environmental and investment fields.

“Philanthropy plays a key role in filling the gaps, but it is not enough to meet the immense challenges of the Oceans,” said Olivier Wenden. “In 2019, only $10 billion of the estimated $175 billion needed was invested in active solutions to protect the seas and oceans. That’s why we must intensify and accelerate existing solutions and to do this, we need the private sector.”

The rise of the Blue Economy

According to Anthony Torriani, Managing Director of Monaco Asset Management, the Blue Economy is the fastest growing sector of investment, with more than 2,000 start-ups initiated in 2021 alone. That was double the figure of 2019, a fact that should be resonating with potential investors.

 

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Photo source: Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation

 

 

 

The Bal de la Rose: past and present

by: Stephanie Horsman
22/03/2023
Prince Albert and princess Charlene at the Bal de la Rose credit Palais princier

Monaco’s Bal de la Rose has been a highlight of the spring social calendar since its creation by Princess Grace in 1954, now nearly seven decades ago. In honour of this Friday’s event, Monaco Life takes a look back at the glamour of the Rose Ball over the decades.

The 67th Rose Ball, held under the High Patronage of Prince Albert II and presided over by his sister Caroline, Princess of Hanover, is taking place on Saturday 25th March at the elegant Salle des Etoiles of Le Sporting. Not surprisingly, the event is a sell-out.

Steeped in tradition, this annual charity gala established by their mother, Princess Grace, has attracted the rich, the famous and the beautiful not only as the social event of the season, but as an exceptional way to support a good cause.

Princess Grace at the Bal de la Rose
Princess Grace at the Bal de la Rose

Over the years, the Bal de la Rose has been an extremely sophisticated event, often bucking trends. The first ball in 1954, for example, was held during the height of Latin dance mania. In response, Henry Astrik, the creative director of Société des Bains de Mer, suggested the waltz be ‘the dance’ of the gala, a retro twist that the guests adored. He also suggested using only roses to decorate the event, 25,000 of them in total, eschewing a beloved custom that still holds to this day. He also hired no less than 100 violinists to play the evening’s musical sets, a nod to Astrik’s sense of order.

STAR QUALITY

Special guests have always been a part of the scene and have ranged from Hollywood royalty to actual royalty, including the likes of Ava Gardner, Sophia Loren, Princess Alexandra of Kent, Natassja Kinski and Joan Collins. Since the 1990s, supermodels and fashion designers have been added to the list and the Rose Ball has been host to such household names as Naomi Campbell, Karl Lagerfeld, Claudia Schiffer, Christian Louboutin and Helena Christiansen.

Princess Grace and her friend Ava Gardner arrive for the Bal de la Rose gala dinner at the International Sporting Club in Monte Carlo, 1960
Princess Grace and her friend Ava Gardner arrive for the Bal de la Rose gala dinner at the International Sporting Club in Monte Carlo, 1960

The glitz and glamour of celebrities and personalities from outside the Principality are a draw, but no more so than its homegrown stars, namely the Princely family. Prince Albert II, Princess Caroline and Princess Stephanie have been major players and supporters, and more recently, Princess Charlene has been added to the already heady mix.

The grown children of the Grimaldi clan also make waves, with Charlotte Casiraghi, Chanel’s brand ambassador, and her husband Dimitri Rassam, Pierre Casiraghi and wife Beatrice Borromeo, Princess Alexandra of Hanover and husband Prince Christian, as well as Andrea and Tatiana Casiraghi taking their places in the spotlight.

HSH Prince Albert II, Princesse of Hanover, Christian Louboutin, Pierre Casiraghi and wife Beatrice, Andrea Casiraghi and wife Tatiana, Charlotte Casiraghi and husband Dimitri Rassam, and Princess Alexandra of Hanover with Ben-Sylvester Strautmann at Bal de la Rose 2022. Photo source: Palais Princier

DIFFERENT EVERY YEAR

In 1977, openly gay French dancer and socialite Jacques Chazot organised and performed at the Ball. From then on, the idea that each year would have its own theme emerged to embody the event and direct the dress code.

Other big-name organisers have helped keep this spirit of the gala alive. Fashion designers Karl Lagerfeld and Christian Louboutin are amongst those who have created theme nights such as Manhattan, Havana or Les Années Folles that have delighted and inspired guests.

Bal de le Rose 2023: Bollywood theme. Image courtesy of Monte-Carlo SBM

AND THIS YEAR…

For the 69th edition, fashion designer Chrisitian Louboutin will be creating the atmosphere of the Ball for the second time. He has chosen the extraordinarily fun theme of Bollywood, which will no doubt inspire some impressive costumes and entertainment.

The décor will be another wonder altogether, as guests will enter what feels like a film studio, replete with dancers and singers, and be taken on a journey by fictitious first-time attendee Beauty.

Jeremy-Loup Quer, the Paris Opera Ballet’s principal dancer, will share the stage with the famous choreographer and actor Punit J. Pathak as the story unfolds. Then, French singer Mika will perform as a fantastic finale act.

The Princess Grace Foundation, benefactor of the event’s largesse, has had the Rose Ball as its biggest fund raiser of the year since 1964, helping children and people in need through its humanitarian and philanthropic projects.

 

Featured image: Karl Lagerfeld, Caroline Princess of Hanover, Princess Charlene and Prince Albert at the 2014 Bal de la Rose. Photo source: Palais Princier

 

 

 

Party season begins with Coya and Jimmy’z reopenings

by: Stephanie Horsman
22/03/2023
jimmy'z coya

Gasping for a Pisco Sour? Desperate for a dancefloor? Jimmy’z is kicking off its party season this weekend and Coya is hot on its heels.  

Why wait for summer weather to be in a summer frame of mind?  

Two Monaco icons, Jimmy’z and Coya, are gearing up with early launches to get you in the mood. From Friday 24th March, Jimmy’z doors and legendary dance floor will be open, soon to be followed on Thursday 6th April by Coya with its Latin American flavours and flair.  

JIMMY’Z 

For nearly 50 years, Jimmy’z has been where the famous and fabulous have congregated for after-hours fun and games. This Friday, the club kicks off the season with the Limelight Party, a concept gleaned from the first of the French underground mega-techno bashes of the 1990s.  

The following night, the venue will host the Rose Ball’s official after party, with DJ Ollie starting things off and DJ Rawdoff picking up the pace after.  

For Grand Prix weekend, the party starts on Thursday 25th May with an early evening event in conjunction with Coya featuring Alec Monopoly, a New York City street artist whose works are both critiques and praises of decadence, celebrity and money, and DJs Mooja & Me, Rampa and Jamie Jones spinning discs well into the wee hours.  

The nightlife hub will also be partnering up with Philip Plein and Dom Perignon for special events throughout the spring.  

COYA 

Fusing Peruvian rhythms and local art, going to Coya is like going on an exotic holiday you never want to come home from. The bar mixes up inventive cocktails, like the Pisco Sour, and the kitchen brings guests inspired Latin American cuisine, such as causa frita, a typical Peruvian dish with made with potatoes, but here reinterpreted by Chef Victoria Vallenilla with truffle cream cheese and Wagyu beef charcuterie. 

The atmosphere is sophisticated and made more so by the inclusion of exhibitions and shows by local artists, adding eye candy to the already tasty delights.  

This year, Coya will be trying out a new concept it calls Clásico, which combines live music, dancers, performers and a meal designed to be enjoyed with friends. This, in conjunction with the special musical evenings featuring international DJs, makes it the place to be as the nights grow warmer.  

Some can’t-miss events include the return of La Noche Blanca, an all-night bash held on 29th June, as well as two musical nights with Coya Music’s top DJs on 20th July and 17th August.  

For information and bookings, click here for Jimmy’z and here for Coya.  

 

Do you have an event in Monaco or the French Riviera that you would like us to include in our What’s On section and events calendar? Please email editor@monacolife.net.  

 

Photo courtesy of Société des Bains de Mer