Arts Briefs
December 31, 2004
Mouse Comes to Hong Kong Next September
HONG KONG — Disney and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government jointly announced that the Hong Kong Disneyland theme park will officially open its doors on Sept. 12, 2005.
Hong Kong Financial Secretary Henry Tang said that the announcement “marks a key milestone for the development of Hong Kong tourism and the economy as a whole.” Projections estimate economic benefits of almost $19 billion over four decades from the park, with 11,400 jobs already created during the construction phase and another 18,000 jobs by opening day. The project commenced in late 1999.
Under the agreement with Disney, the Hong Kong government has committed $2.87 billion to the theme park and two accompanying hotels.
The Dish Targets American Desi
ENGELWOOD, Colo. — EchoStar Communications Corp.’s Dish Network plans to add an English-language television network targeting South Asians living in the United States.
The 24-hour network called American Desi will offer morning newscasts, animated children’s programming, a late-night comedy block and the American Pro Cricket professional league games.
The Dish Network will charge $5 a month for the new channel. EchoStar, based in suburban Englewood, has about 10.5 million subscribers.
Headquartered in New Jersey and New York, the privately held American Desi takes its name from South Asian terminology that identifies people “from the homeland,” including India, Pakistan and other countries in Southern Asia.
Indian Music Icon Subbulakshmi Dies at 88
BANGALORE, India — Madurai Shanmugavadivu “M.S.” Subbulakshmi, an Indian classical singer who mesmerized millions, died of a respiratory illness in the southern city of Madras. She was 88.
Born on Sept. 16, 1916, in the southern Indian temple town of Madurai, she recorded her first disc at the age of 10. She made her concert debut at Madras’ legendary Music Academy Hall at age 17 — a performance that brought her instant fame.
In 1938, Subbulakshmi started acting in movies, but it was the 1945 film Meera, in which she played a singer who dedicated her life to the Hindu god Krishna, that catapulted the young star to iconic status.
Ex-Spice Girl Stars in Chinese Leukemia Ad
SHANGHAI, China รณ Former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham is starring in a public-service announcement urging Chinese to show more love and care for children stricken with leukemia.
The wife of English soccer captain David Beckham is appearing in a 60-second TV spot with 10 young leukemia patients in Shanghai, the Shanghai Daily said.
“What Victoria displays to the public is not only her personal charm as an international superstar but also the image of a loving mother,” it quoted Ma Zhongqi, spokesman for the Shanghai Charity Foundation, as saying.
Ma said his foundation, which has raised about $120 million for some 50 charity projects, hoped to invite more international celebrities to participate in events in Shanghai.
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