5 ° C
Profile

Tag: monacoevents

Christmas in Monaco: SBM's 'Winter Fantasy'

by: Stephanie Horsman
22/11/2021

The Monte-Carlo Société des Bains Mer is looking to inject a “bit of magic” into Monaco this Christmas with the launch of their latest endeavour, Monte-Carlo Winter Fantasy.
The festive season is once again upon us and with it comes memories of years past, hopes for the future and, of course, the anticipation of what the season has in store.
The Société des Bains Mer (SBM), in this vein, is putting on a series of celebratory events intended to waken the Christmas spirit in even the most Scrooge-like of individuals, bringing magic and fun to the season with the Monte-Carlo Winter Fantasy.
The events, which run from early December to the middle of January, kick off on 2nd December at 5pm in Casino Square and on the Monte-Carlo shopping promenade with the lighting of an 18-metre-high Christmas tree adorned with 4,000 pearly white and gold baubles, as well as three “entertainment igloos” called the Giant Stars. Festive music will be playing and shops will be open until 9pm to get everyone in holiday mood.
The Giant Star igloos will be positioned around the tree and offer Christmas-themed events, based on history and poetry, for the whole family. The star dedicated to poetry invites visitors to hand in or write a poem for Father Christmas with the chance of winning a night in the Hermitage Hotel.
Casino Square will also be the location for a light projection show on the façade of the Casino from 26th to 31st December to add more sparkle to the long winter nights.
From 2nd December to 9th January, the Patio courtyard at the Hôtel de Paris will be covered in twinkling lights and filled with surprises. Exclusive offerings such as a new hot chocolate creation from Le Chocolat Alain Ducasse will be available, and guests can try their hands at creative or culinary workshops where they whip up Christmas treats, make their own decorations or arrange a gorgeous centrepiece-worthy flower display. For a complete list of all events, on the Patio, visit the website at https://www.montecarlosbm.com/fr/agenda/christmas-garden-in-the-patio

Photo of the Hôtel de Paris patio courtyard, by Monaco Life

The Hermitage Hotel will feature a Christmas Teatime from 21st to 24th December in the Salle Belle Epoque. Children and parents can meet Santa from 3pm to 6pm on the 21st, 22nd and 23rd, and at 5:30pm on the 24th, to tell him all their secret wishes. They can then take part in creative workshops for young chefs, with festive pastries and sweets prepared by pastry chef Nicolas Baygourry. For more info, go to https://www.montecarlosbm.com/fr/agenda/gouter-noel-hotel-hermitage-monte-carlo
L’Etoile des Neiges at the Blue Gin Bar at the Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel and Resort runs every Thursday from 26th November to 20th March 2022 from 6:30pm to 1:30am featuring a cozy apres-ski type feel. A fully heated terrace offering up stunning sea views, billiards and other games, and warm blankets to snuggle in, will make even the coldest night seem inviting. Visit the website for complete details on https://www.montecarlosbm.com/en/agenda/letoile-des-neiges-blue-gin
Meanwhile, keep your eyes open for Father Christmas Monte-Carlo as he tours the resort from 15th to 25thDecember and delivers presents from behind the wheel of his beautiful vintage car. https://www.montecarlosbm.com/fr/agenda/rencontre-avec-le-pere-noel-monte-carlo
Finally, to end 2021 in style and kick off 2022 with just right note, the legendary family group The Jacksons will be performing at the Salle des Etoiles. The singing sensations will be celebrating an astounding 55 years together at this New Year’s Eve bash with dinner and live show. For those who like to boogie through the night, the party goes on at the exceptionally opened Jimmy’z from 30th December to 1st January inclusive.
 
 
 

Guitarist Steve Hackett coming to town

by: Stephanie Horsman
19/11/2021

Former Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett will be playing live at the Opera Garnier this month, performing all the hits from his time with the band as well as from his solo career. 

Guitarist, singer, songwriter, and producer… these are the many hats Steve Hackett has worn in his long and distinguished career in the music business. Now he is bringing his magic to Monaco where he will perform on stage at the Opera Garnier on Thursday 25th November.

Hackett came to fame as the lead guitarist for the progressive rock band Genesis from 1971 to 1977, contributing to six of the band’s studio albums, three live ones, seven singles and an EP before leaving to try his hand at a solo career.

As a soloist, he released several acclaimed albums, including a favourite of slain rock legend John Lennon, Selling England by the Pound.

He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of fame in 2010 as a member of Genesis and hit the road again in 2013 after a long absence from touring, where he found a new set of fans and a renewed interest in his music.

By 2019, Hackett’s live performances were at their zenith, and he was playing sold out shows worldwide. The pandemic forced some cancellations, but he resumed touring as soon as was possible, allowing for the Monaco date.

During this same period, he also released his autobiography, A Genesis in my Bed, and announced an upcoming collaboration with Roger King for an acoustic album to be called Under a Mediterranean Sky.

Hackett will be playing at the Salle Garnier at the Opera de Monte Carlo on 25th November at 8:30pm.

 
 
Photo by Lee Millward
 
 
 

Oceanographic Museum embraces Waste Reduction Week

by: Stephanie Horsman
17/11/2021

The Oceanographic Museum, as part of a larger country-wide awareness campaign, is celebrating European Waste Reduction Week with three events centred around the “three-Rs” – reduce, reuse, recycle.

European Waste Reduction Week (EWWR) is taking place from 20th to 28th November and the theme of this year’s campaign is ‘Circular Communities’, inviting volunteer countries to take part in awareness-raising actions promoting the sustainable management of resources and waste. 

Monaco is clearly on board, and the Oceanographic Museum has leapt in with both feet, organising three events on the precepts of the movement: reduce, reuse, recycle.

Under the “reduce” heading, they are hosting a ‘One Day, One Chef, One Anti-waste recipe’ event. Running from 22nd to 26th November from 11am to 1:30pm, five well-known chefs from Monaco will offer visitors a menu using only zero waste recipes.  

On Monday 22nd November, Pastry Chef Patrick Mesiano, from the Hôtel Métropole Monte-Carlo, will produce an exquisite brioche perdue du verger, a take on pain perdue and an excellent way to use brioche that’s a bit past its freshest.

Chef Marcel Ravin, Executive Chef of the Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel and Resort, will be offering up a delicious citrus fruit and day old bread recipe on Tuesday 23rd November, another brilliant way to use up bread.

On Wednesday 24th November, Chef Jean Laurent Basile from Thermes Marins Monte-Carlo will make a tangy pumpkin tart with roasted seeds, a perfect use of this seasonal gourd.

Chef Sylvain Etiévant of the Riviera Marriott Hotel La Porte de Monaco in Cap d’Ail has come up with a creation that he’s hilariously calling the ‘beard of the left behind’ on Thursday 25th November. For the name alone, it’s worth the trip.

Finally, on Friday 26th November, Monaco City Hall’s own Chef Julien Baldacchino will have a mouth-watering tartlet stuffed with sardines and clementine marmalade on the menu.

To top it off, the snacks will be presented using ingenious edible cutlery and drinks served in edible cups, showing incredible dedication to the cause. Sugar and condiments will be served in bulk, the old-fashioned way, and napkins will be made from cellulose recycled from food cartons.

The events are free and included in the price of admission thanks to support of partner organisations and volunteers from CFM Indosuez Wealth Management and the Association of Friends of the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco (AAMOM).

 

Next up is “reuse”. For the second time, the Oceanographic Museum is organising a clothes collection from their staff, as well as from those from Monaco Explorations and CFM Indosuez Wealth Management to benefit Les Semeurs d’Espoir, a local association that collects and distributes gently worn items of clothing. The clothes will be distributed to the needy between Nice and Menton from 22nd to 28th November. 

Last but not least is “recycle”. On Wednesday 24th November and Saturday 27th November, young people aged six to 14 are invited to take up the ‘Super Sorter Challenge’. Several receptacles and types of waste will be placed at the entry to the Oceanographic Museum where clever kids can practice sorting and learn good recycling practices. Each Super Sorter will be given their own diploma and free entry to the museum.

Since 2019, under the coordination of the Monegasque government, European Waste Reduction Week has brought together many entities in the Principality looking to act for a more sustainable future. Those who involve themselves include institutions, schools, companies, associations, and even private citizens.

Worldwide, the EWWR has drawn support from 33 nations, with 38 coordinators equalling 10,695 actions since 2020.

 
 

 Photo source: Pixabay

 
 
 

Oceanographic Museum launches fun new contest

by: Stephanie Horsman
21/10/2021

The Oceanographic Museum is organising a competition during the upcoming school holidays inviting people to imitate their favourite marine species for a chance to be the face of their next media campaign. 

This half term break, the Oceanographic Museum is putting out a call for people who have a knack for impersonating to be part of a special event called #TousOceano (All Ocean). Participants will be asked to select their favourite marine species from a selection and take a photo of themselves mimicking that animal.

The objective is to create awareness of the bond that exists between humans and animal life in order to mobilise people to live more sustainably for the future of our shared planet.

Awards will be handed out, including a grand prize for the best imitation, which is to become the face of the museum’s next media campaign that launches during the Christmas holidays.  

In order to take part, contestants must go online to www.tous.oceano.org or visit the photo booth located on the ground floor of the museum. A list of marine animals will pop up and players can choose between many species including the ribbon moray, the napoleon fish, the cowfish and the rayed jellyfish. Participants can photograph themselves doing their best imitation of their chosen animal, then share it on social media with the hashtag #TousOceano.  

Other prizes up for grabs are Waterlover solar products from the Biotherm brand, a brunch at Stars’N’Bars, a leisure day at the Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort, a gourmet break at the Hôtel Métropole, Beuchat snorkelling equipment, a free book creation with Fabrique à Histoires de Lunii, eco-responsible items from the Museum Shop such as water bottles, bags, and toothbrushes, free tickets, and ‘Sponsor a fish’ kits offered by the Association of Friends of the Oceanographic Museum.

The Oceanographic Museum is also offering fun distractions during the school holidays including a 30- or 60-minute sea-themed escape game, their Immersion 360º virtual reality experience, the touch basin, which allows visitors to pet crabs, starfish, sea cucumbers and many other marine animals, and Club Oceano where kids aged nine to 12 spend a magical week at the museum being part of the team, participating in games and activities and learning about the sea.

 

Bond film premiere pulls out all the stops

by: Stephanie Horsman
30/09/2021

It was a glittering night that would turn even the world-weary James Bond’s head, as singer Shirley Bassey joined a debonaire Prince Albert, actress Sharon Stone and director Cary Fukanaga at the screening of the latest installation in the 007 series, No Time To Die.
It was quite an evening for fans of 007 in Monaco. The Principality was the site of the unique premiere screening of the latest Ian Fleming-inspired James Bond film, No Time To Die.
The event attracted super-celeb Sharon Stone, whose slinky Dolce & Gabbana silver cocktail dress was an absolute showstopper. The 63-year-old actress was all smiles as she rocked the dress with the confidence of a woman who knows she can still turn heads at any age.
She was joined by Prince Albert II who wore a white tuxedo worthy of Bond himself. Also at the screening was the film’s Director and Princess Grace Award winner Cary Joji Fukunaga, together with Christian Moore, son of the late actor and former Bond Sir Roger Moore.
The red-carpet screening took place at the iconic Opera Garnier and was followed by a black-tie after-party at the Casino de Monte-Carlo, another homage to the 007 series from Casino Royale, complete with croupiers, masked waiters, and glittering, golden ‘gun’ wielding dancers.
Singer and Monaco resident Dame Shirley Bassey was also there to celebrate the 25th film in the series. Bassey recorded theme songs to three Bond films including Goldfinger, Diamonds are Forever and Moonraker.
Other notable gusts were designer Philip Plein, Lady Tina Green, model Victoria Silvstedt, and Monaco royals Camille Gottlieb and Louis and Marie Ducruet.
In a speech displayed on the big screen ahead of the film, Prince Albert II said: “It is my distinct privilege to welcome the screening of No Time To Die to Monaco. It is particularly meaningful for us to honour the late Sir Roger Moore and Princess Grace Award winner Cary Joji Fukunaga here because of the special ties that connect them to us. Sir Roger Moore was a dear friend to my mother and we remain grateful for his guidance establishing the Princess Grace Foundation-USA. We are equally proud of Princess Grace Award winner Cary Joji Fukunaga’s masterful direction of No Time to Die, and to know that my mother’s legacy lives on through his flourishing career.”
Cary Fukanaga added on screen: “Becoming part of the Princess Grace Awards family has been incredible. I received a scholarship that helped propel my career in a multitude of ways. Several years ago, I had the pleasure of meeting Sir Roger Moore in Monaco when I received my second Princess Grace Award, I never would have imagined that just five years later I would be helming No Time to Die.”
Proceeds from the event are being targeted to a new Princess Grace Award in honour of Sir Roger, who was a long-time resident of Monaco as well as being a founding member of the Princess Grace Foundation-USA. The Roger Moore Film Scholarship will be endowed in perpetuity to an emerging filmmaker, with the first recipient being announced in 2022.
“My father was a great man, a beloved actor and deeply committed to the arts,” said Christian Moore. “He adored Princess Grace and believed in Her mission to support emerging talent and ensuring the arts community remained vibrant and impactful. My family thanks the Princely Family for their generosity recognising my father by bestowing him with this named award. I know he would be truly humbled.”
 
Monaco Life is proud to have been the main media sponsor of the exclusive James Bond event, organised by the Princess Grace Foundation-USA. To see more pictures of the red carpet, click on the images below… 
 


 
Photos by Benedetta Pizzonia for Monaco Life
 
RELATED STORIES: 

“It was clear I was creating the final chapter”

Bond film preview to honour Sir Roger Moore
 
 

Strong business tourism to continue in October

by: Stephanie Horsman
29/09/2021

After a hugely successful Monaco Yacht Show, industry professionals will continue to descend on Monaco during the month of October thanks to three major expos and one popular concert at the Grimaldi Forum. 
The first event is the much-anticipated Sportel Monaco, running from 5th to 7th October. Sportel is the world’s leader in the Sports Content Media Rights and Technology Convention marketplace. Each year, key stakeholders from around the world meet up at Sportel events for targeted business meetings, knowledge sharing and decisive deal making.
Next up is the Cybersecurity Assises forum, where cybersecurity experts come together for one-on-one meetings, discussions, live demonstrations of the latest technologies, workshops and round tables on major trends in the sector. This show will run from 13th to 16th October.
To inject a bit of culture into the mix, renowned concert pianist Lang Lang will perform at the Forum on 21stOctober. He will be playing one of the most celebrated piano pieces in the history of classical music, Bach’s Goldberg Variations, consisting of an opening aria followed by 30 variations on it – a masterpiece that dazzles even today, nearly 300 years after it’s creation.
Rounding out the month, from 26th to 28th October, the One-to-One Retail E-Commerce Monaco show is coming to town for three days of conferences, business and networking made for the heavy-hitters in the retail and e-commerce world. Market players and decision-makers are joining together for the event’s 10th anniversary with 130 workshops and five keynote speakers on the roster.
The Grimaldi Forum says all events will be held following the most current health guidelines and with the safety of all participants in mind.
 
 
Photo: Grimaldi Forum Monaco/Olivia Marocco