Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

I missed the Red carpet as at the time I was on my way to Stockholm. Here's a little recap of the looks. A usual some went for full blown glamous, some kept it chic and cool and some... well some kept it casual. Who has your favorite?                    

Eurovision song contest 2016 kicked off yesterday with the first rehearsals and you can read country by country information by scrolling down this blog. But if you are not accredited, how to meet & greet and see the artists in town? Eurovision village of course! Then there's also EuroClub and Eurovision Fan cafe for those with accreditation to catch up with them.... Let's have a look.... (It's worth remembereing this programme tends to live a life of its own with changes, last minute cancellations and additions.....) Cyprus - Minus One (Thursday May 5, 16-16.30 Euro Fan Cafe) Switzerland - Rykka  (Thursday May 5, 17.30-18 Euro Fan Cafe) Iceland - Greta Salome (Thursday May 5, 19-19.30 Euro Fan afe) Switzerland - Rykka (Friday May 6, 18-18.15 Eurovision Village) Albania - Eneda Tarifa (Friday May 6, 18.15-18.30 Eurovision Village) Finland - Sandhja (Friday May 6, 22-23.30 Nordic Night at EuroClub) Sweden - Frans (Friday May 6, 22-23.30 Nordic Night...

Fans are able to really get high in Stockholm 2016 Eurovision. A 81 meter high viewing tower (just 3 meters shy of Globen's 84 meters) aka City Skyliner will be erected in the middle of the Eurovision Village in Kungträdsgården. Up there you will have a stunning view to the city center and over Gamla Stan to Globen and beyond. Up to 60 persons can take it at time and for the modest cost of 100 kroner. The Village itself is free and open to everyone. Nearby will be the Euro Fan Café. It will have two floors and three separate spaces with four bars, including an open terrace. Right attached to it is EuroClub, that is twice the size of that in Malmö, now housing 3000 fans, delegates and journalists. Shirley Clamp and  Velvet will be hosting the EuroClub. 

Euro Fan Cafe has been going all week and a lot has taken place there. Anne Marie David came and charmed, giving a mini concert and touched some fans to tears declaring without them she wouldn't be alive. And then she cried some, too. Eurovision can give you so much once you take part in it indeed. I would like to quote Hanna Pakarinen here when she said she didn't realize that taking part once you are a member of a very special family forever. So true. Jacqueline Boyer was there too and sung Tom Pillibi. How cool is that?  Several Austrians have taken the stage, like unrecognizable Thomas Forstner and ever so energetic Stella Jones (both pictured here).  Also Waterloo & Robinson who sung about their little world in 1976 have changed quite a bit and Waterloo even sung his national final entry from 1990, when he finished 4th with So ein wunderschönes Leben . Check out the video below. 

After the Red Carpet and Welcome Party the Euro Fan Cafe hosted Conchita Wurst and her album release celebrations. My flying reporter Robert was present and provided these goodies. Enjoy!

The Euro Fan Cafe had organized a tribute to Ralph Siegel last Saturday. Rick Jacobs interviewed him about his songs and long career, the over 20 songs he has had in the Eurovision, and a few dozen more in various national finals. On Cafe's Facebook fans were able to vote beforehand the best or the most popular Siegel songs over the years and they were then discussed in detail. A lot of memories for Ralph, and a lovely walk down the memory lane. Valentina Monetta, his latest muse was present of course as was the whole Sammarinese delegation in Copenhagen 2014. Part of it, including Valentina's backing singers, Head of delegation Alessandro Capicchioni, lyricist Mauro Balestri and art director Fabrizio Raggi also surprised Ralph with Volare (Nel blu dipinto di blu) that they sung together. The real surprise of the evening however was Nicole, who won Eurovision 1982 for Ralph and Germany with Ein bisschen Frieden . A very entertaining and warm spirited evening for everyone pr...

While waiting for the Ralph Siegel tribute on May 3 I had a chance check out mmelie De Forest's soundcheck....