Mardi Gras

• MIAMI, Feb. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), the world's largest cruise company, today announced it has signed an agreement with leading German shipbuilder Meyer Werft to build a fourth Excel-class cruise ship for its namesake Carnival Cruise Line brand.
• The ship, the 10th Excel-class ship in the corporation's fleet across four of its world-class brands, is expected to enter service in Spring 2027.
• Joining current Carnival Cruise Line Excel-class ships Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration and Carnival Jubilee, the new 180,000-ton ship will carry over 6,400 guests and be powered on a liquefied natural gas (LNG) technology platform.
• "Our Excel-class ships have been a tremendous addition to the Carnival fleet and proven very popular with our guests," said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.

• Opening the evening, the legendary Don Felder, formerly of The Eagles, plays chart-topping hits and later joins Michaels on stage.
• Michaels seamlessly conducts the evening, moving between Poison, Foreigner and Twisted Sister hits by all three original singers.
• Michaels has even been known to drag fans up on stage during these arena and amphitheater shows and let them sing along.
• Bret continues, "I created the Parti-Gras festivals first and foremost as a fan of music, bringing along friends, bands and hit songs.

• Van Badham’s A Fool in Love at the Sydney Theatre Company lampoons the modern Sydney vibe: a city obsessed with wealth, status and, of course, love.
• We find ourselves in a world obsessed with private schools, linen attire, and the maintenance (if not stock-piling) of funds.

What’s love got to do with it?

• To sustain his lavish lifestyle and secure the dwindling family fortune, he faces the daunting task of orchestrating the marriage of his eldest daughter, Phynayah (Contessa Treffone).
• To inherit her eccentric uncle’s remarkable fortune – and maintain her family’s coveted social standing – Phynayah must marry before she’s 30.

• The tale of making love to Phynayah is not as straightforward as it seems.
• Beautiful, and soon to be in possession of great wealth, Phynayah could be perceived as a modern catch: but these days suitors want more.

Frothy tales

In this electric and funny rendition directed by Kenneth Moraleda, Badham invites us to comment on the economics of love. While Jennifer Lopez told us “love don’t cost a thing,” economic data would argue otherwise. The aspirational suitors, the “new money”, are from Western Sydney and other “undesirable” burbs. In seeking to seduce Phynayah (or Vanessa), they are swallowed in frothy, silly, hapless tales.

• If we were to extend back historically, this kind of mating based on wealth, social or cultural is old news.
• Badham is not only inviting us to reflect on the economics of love but also gender and cultural politics.
• It is distinctly pervasive for women who are generally represented as having (or being) too little or too much.

• A Fool in Love challenges us to consider this widening divide and growing social inequity through the lens of the tomfoolery of love.
• The haves and have nots of linen wardrobes – and also of privilege.
• Read more:
  Another tale of two cities: access to jobs divides Sydney along the 'latte line'

Lisa Portolan does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

• Pączki Day Vodka is made by distilling fresh raspberry pączki in 100 percent potato vodka from Poland and Michigan in a 500-gallon copper pot still.
• To explore Pączki Day Vodka and DCD's diverse range of products, visit www.detroitcitydistillery.com or follow them on social media at @detroitcitydistillery.
• Patrons can begin picking up their orders the same day at 4 p.m. at the Detroit City Distillery's Tasting Room in Eastern Market at the Pączki Day Vodka release party.
• Pączki Day Vodka will also be available at select liquor stores throughout Michigan while supplies last.