THE BUSY BEE: English Classes in Monaco

THE BUSY BEE is a well hidden sweet little gem, that I stumbled across when trying a short cut walking home. It is located in 10, Rue de la Turbie, just the backside of Rue Grimaldi and is run by a lovely lady called Jasmine Antonini.
It provides English Classes for those who want to improve their language skills or practice conversation. A good part of the clients are children! There are toys, books, drawing and painting supplies which are used to intensify and work on communication of the little fellows! Some small theatre shows are being practiced and performed for parents and you can even choose what is called 'stages vacances', - having your child stay for up 1.5h during holidays to 'playfully' chat and enjoy in group activities.

Busy Bee also holds conversation classes for adults.

For contact call Jasmine at +377 97 70 50 49 or email busybee@libello.com

Party: Amber Lounge during the F1 Grand Prix

May means Spring in most countries. In Monaco it also stands for the smell of fuel and the roaring of engines. The crazy week of F1 is just around the corner and the town is gearing up for 1 week of race cars, parties, starlets and luxury yachts on display alongside the legendary race circuit.
One of the 'famous' party places during the long weekend of 'Monte Carlo F1' is the well established Amber Lounge. With the annual fashion show on Friday night, always featuring a different designer and most of the race car drivers joining the dance floor on Sunday , when all their 'work' is done, - Amber Lounge surely is the hottest after-dark-spot in town.

Here Jess Fry, sales wizard of the Amber Lounge team, tells us a bit more about the event:

How long has Amber Lounge been around and what do you like best about your job?

Coming up for 10 years, now in 4 countries.  Thats the part i love – im constantly abroad meeting fascinating people and can go pretty much anywhere in the world now and know i have great friends there – its a  fabulous feeling 

How does the Monaco Amber Lounge compare to the others (Abud Dhabi, India, Singapore)?

Well, the parties are basically the same principle, but with funky additions inspired by the country – ie in Monaco you look out over the lights of the megayachts in the bay. The Singapore venue is a tent strung between skyscrapers - one of the walls of the venue is a waterfall cascading down the side of the building into the party... very cool.  In India the outside terrace is in the treetops, and looks out across a plain of temple spires.  The Abu Dhabi terrace is floating on the Yas Island creek, all uplit and overlooking the multicoloured skyline of Yas island. 

People wise, clientele reflect the nation really.  Monaco is very glitz and glam, Singapore tends to be more easy going crowd coming in straight from the Paddock as its a night race. India the socialite scene has to be seen to be believed and Abu Dhabi EVERYONE arrives! 

How do those F1 drivers perform on the dance floor?

Hahha that would be telling!  Some of the Finns live up to tradition and go absolutely bananas, and some of the boys are cracking DJs!!  We’ve has the DJ box overrun with Drivers spinning tunes and randoms like Taboo from the Black Eyed Peas gate crash the dancers podiums 

The magic of F1 in Monaco – how to describe it best?

Well, it IS magic isn’t it.  The feeling is in the air and its the iconic GP – the one everybody thinks of when you mention F1.  Everyone wants to be part of this one, and i suppose that’s what it is – mass enthusiasm

Is there a place to chill during that crazy F1 week in Monaco , tell us some secret hideaway’s from that madness?

Would you WANT to? 

Ticket prices: individual party passes start at Euro650pp , Tables of 8 start at Euro 5,200.  All tickets include unlimited Champagne and all other drinks.

Amber lounge Dining Euro 250 pp

Amber Lounge Fashion Euro 500pp

Contact info: jessica@amber-lounge.com M: +33 6 43 91 61 28, T:  +377 97 77 16 34

More info on this year's fashion show:

The Duchess of Cambridge, Madonna, Kylie Minogue

and Jennifer Lopez are just a number of celebrity fans

who have embraced the elegant designs of Issa London

and now the internationally renowned label is showcasing

its collection at Amber Lounge Fashion - the annual

charity catwalk event held over the Monaco Grand

Prix weekend.Hosted at Le Meridien Beach Plaza’s stunning poolside

on Friday 25th May from 6.30pm Amber Lounge Fashion is

once again giving its support to the Special Olympics when

it famously unites the worlds of fashion and motorsport on

one catwalk to raise funds for its Official Charity.

Considered one of the highlights on the F1 social calendar,

this star studded charity event, sponsored by Mekhong,

certainly has a line up to entertain, dazzle and surprise its

VIP guests. Last year saw Royalty and stars of film, fashion,

sport and music attend the show including H.S.H Prince

Albert II and H.S.H Princess Charlene of Monaco,

Kim Kardashian, Sir Philip and Tina Green, Jason Statham,

Michael Johnson, Boris Becker and Matthew Williamson.

A dazzling combination of feminine elegance, boudoir

beauty and masculine rock ‘n’ roll will take over the

catwalk this year. Headlining designer Issa London will

present a selection of acclaimed 24/7 dresses, where

glamour and elegance reign and the motto ‘Issa for all!’

rings true for every fan of this Brazilian designer,

Daniella Helayel.

New stars of Formula One Bruno Senna, Romain Grosjean

and Daniel Ricciardio will take to the catwalk alongside

their F1 colleagues who will model outfits by eternal Rock n

Roll spirit, Philipp Plein. This handsome German designer

differentiates his collections producing creations for people

who intuitively choose the extraordinary things in life!

Closing the show Nichole de Carle London launches her

debut luxury capsule swim range created to compliment

the brands luxurious lingerie pieces. So named, Serpentine

in recognition of the 2012 London Olympics will transform

the Nichole de Carle London woman elevating her from

boudoir beauty to beach babe.

Entertainment includes a live performance by British sensation

Labrinth who will sing his recent smash hit single, “Last Time”

currently in the UK and European charts. His previous single

Earthquake rocketed straight into the UK’s charts at No. 1 and

with collaborations with Tinie Tempah already under his belt,

this producer, writer and singer is heading for global stardom.

Surprise – well if we gave that away it wouldn’t be a surprise

now would it?!

Dedicated to raising funds for notable charities and for the

second year running Amber Lounge Fashion has given its

support to the Special Olympics. H.S.H. Prince Albert II

and H.S.H Princess Charlene of Monaco have taken this

movement to their hearts, along with Global Ambassadors

including Colin Farrell. Special Olympics is dedicated to

giving athletes with intellectual disabilities the opportunity

to celebrate and be celebrated for their accomplishments.

To date the Amber Lounge Fashion’s charity auction has

raised over 3 million Euros. This year will be no exception.

Wonderfully generous guests will be bidding for one off lots

such as an unique Andy Warhol photograph taken by

celebrity photographer Karen Bystedt, Amber Lounge Fashion

looks set to beat previous records for this excellent cause.

Those lucky enough to secure post show tables at the

in-house restaurant, Amber Lounge Dining will savour the

exquisite cuisine and fine wines served alfresco.

Once the sun goes down, guests move through to

Amber Lounge where partying will continue until dawn.

Amber Lounge, the exclusive Grand Prix After Party that

follows the F1 around the World, signed Mekhong as its

Official Title Partner and Chang as the Official Beer for its

up and coming party and charity fashion show in Monaco

during the iconic Monaco F1 Grand Prix. 

People: Gil Kenny Of SHARKPROD

Back in the 1950's the French Riviera  became a vibrant playground for the Hollywood set and it has been backdrop for many movies ever since, just think Grace Kelly & Cary Grant! Thanks to the Cannes Film Festival and the Monaco TV Festival, we still get a fair amount of glitz and glam to this region every year. Since 2011 a 'French-American Production Company' called SHARKPROD is bringing even more of that film biz atmosphere to the area. Gil Kenny is the founder and brain behind Sharkprod. As an experienced man  behind the camera he has worked with names like Woody Allen and being bilingual and more-or-less a local, he really facilitates film-making for many foreign projects seeking to shoot around Monaco and the French Riviera. We got to find out a bit more about him and his company:

How long have you been living in the region and what brought you here?

I lived here when i was a little boy with my family in St Jean Cap Ferrat, moved to the USA and came here 20 years ago, i came back because i missed it and had great work opportunity...

Gil at work

 You have been working on lots of movies, what has been your experience and how would you describe the difference between French and American productions?

My experience has been very good and i have achieved to learn a lot very quickly, having been Assistant Director with a real passion, that Dept of the Crew gave me the possibility of dealing with every other departments with many responsibilities which i really enjoyed. The only difference between French and American productions is really the amount of people, everyone works the same and this is why we work very well together, of course the number of crew members will depend wether it's a small comedy film with no effects or action or a big blockbuster which will require a bigger staff.

Gil Kenny

You own and run Sharkprod, a production company on the French Riviera, - describe your offered services quickly?

Sharkprod is an Executive Production Service Company, based in Monaco. It was created to welcome companies worldwide in producing projects in Monaco, the French Riviera & Corsica. Sharkprod provides a complete range of services including crews, equipment, locations, models and in-house extras' casting. Our crews are fully bilingual and have access to cutting edge equipments in Camera, Lighting or Grip equipment

What has been your most exciting production in your career so far and why?

My most exciting project was when i was 1st Assistant Director for Mr. Woody Allen on "Midnight in Paris".

I only had 4 weeks of preparation with Mr Allen for a 7 week shoot all filmed in Paris summer 2010 and i had no stress, he was kind, human and whatever he told me during preparation, he did on the shoot, just a wonderful person to work for.

What makes the French Riviera so special for events/productions?

Monaco & The French Riviera are known for their glamorous touch and elegance with their hotels, casinos, villas, yachts and coastal roads surrounded by beautiful views, private beaches and lagoons. In the winter, our great ski resorts and mountain roads are also available and have their own beauty only 1h30 from Nice airport. With 300 days of sun and a beautiful quality of light, the 4 seasons offer the possibility of filming by the sea, in the country side and on snowy roads in the winter...

What is your favourite movie and why?

The Big Blue directed by Mr Luc Besson, it unites both areas of life that i love, the sea & the film work around it...

 To reach or contact Gil:

gil@sharkprod.mc

www.sharkprod.com