Name	Vestfold
Idnumber	07
Capital	Tønsberg
Governor	Erling Lae
Governor date	2010
Governor party	...
Mayor	Per-Eivind Johansen
Mayor date	2007
Mayor party	Høyre
Region	Østlandet
Arearank	18
Area	2225
Arealand	2201
Areapercent	0.71
Population as of	2008
Populationrank	10
Population	227,798
Populationpercent	4.78
Populationdensity	102
Populationincrease	8.7
Gdp as of	2001
Gdprank	10
Gdppercent	3.11
Gdpcapita	219,970
Incomecapita	148,300
Language	Bokmål
Demonym	Vestfolding
Coatofarms	Vestfold_våpen.svg
Munwebpage	www.vfk.no

is a county in Norway, bordering Buskerud and Telemark. The county administration is in Tønsberg. Vestfold is located west of the Oslofjord, as the name indicates. It includes many smaller, but well-known towns in Norway, such as Larvik, Sandefjord, Tønsberg and Horten. The river Numedalslågen runs through the district. Many islands are located at the coast. Vestfold is mostly dominated by lowland and is among the best agricultural areas of Norway. Winters last about three months, while pleasant summer temperatures last from May to September, with a July average of 17°C (Tønsberg climate).

Vestfold is known for shipping and sailing. Formerly a headquarters for whaling fleets, the coastal towns of Vestfold now engage in fishing and shipbuilding. Some lumbering is carried on in the interior. The district also includes some of the best farmland in Norway. Vestfold is the only county in which all municipalities have declared Bokmål to be their official written form of the Norwegian language.

History

Kaupang, a town from the Viking Age is believed to be the first town in Norway, although Tønsberg is the oldest town in Norway still existing. Kaupang is mentioned under the name of Skiringssal (Kaupangen i Skiringssal) in Ohthere from Hålogaland's tales which date from the 9th century.

By the 10th century the local kings had established themselves as the first dynasty to begin the unification of Norway. The king or his ombudsman resided in the old Royal Court at Sæheimr, today the Jarlsberg Estate (Jarlsberg Hovedgård) in Tønsberg. The farm Haugar became the seat for Haugathing, the Thing for Vestfold and one of Norway's most important place for the proclamation of kings.

The family of Harald Fairhair, who was most likely the first king of the whole Norway, is said to have come from this area. At that time Vestfold, including Lier and Eiker, was a petty kingdom.

Kings of Vestfold

Erik Agnarsson

Halfdan Hvitbeinn (part of Vestfold)

Eystein Halfdansson

Halfdan the Mild

Gudrød the Hunter

Halfdan the Black, together with his brother, Olaf Gudrødsson

Ragnvald the Mountain-High, Cousin of Harold Fairhair

Harald Fairhair

Bjørn Farmann

Olaf Haraldsson Geirstadalf, brother of Bjørn

Harald Gudrødsson Grenske, 976-987

Etymology

Vestfold is the old name of the region - revived in modern times. Fold was the old name of the Oslofjord, and the meaning of the name Vestfold is 'the region west of the Fold' (see also Østfold). Before 1919 the county was called Jarlsberg og Larvik Amt. The amt was created in 1821, consisting of the two old counties of Jarlsberg and Larvik.

Transportation

The Vestfold Line is a railway line that runs from Drammen, through a number of towns in Vestfold and ending in the town of Skien in Telemark. European route E18 runs through the county roughly parallel to the railway.

There are two international ferry connections, both operated by Color Line. Larvik is connected to the Danish town Hirtshals, the other route is between Sandefjord and Strømstad in Sweden. In addition there is a domestic route connecting Horten and Moss

Sandefjord Airport, Torp serves both domestic and international destinations. It is regional hub for Norwegian carrier Widerøe, low cost carriers Ryanair and WizzAir also operate from the airport.

Municipalities

Vestfold County has a total of 14 municipalities:

#Andebu #Hof #Holmestrand #Horten #Lardal #Larvik #Nøtterøy #Re #Sande #Sandefjord #Stokke #Svelvik #Tjøme #Tønsberg

References

External links

Vestfold photo gallery

Category:Counties of Norway Category:Petty kingdoms of Norway

Name	Liza Minnelli
Caption	Minnelli in 2008 at The Heart Truth Fashion Show
Birth name	Liza May Minnelli
Birth date	March 12, 1946
Birth place	Hollywood, California, U.S.
Spouse(s)	Peter Allen (1967–1974) Jack Haley, Jr. (1974–1979) Mark Gero (1979–1992) David Gest (2002–2007)
Years active	1949–present
Occupation	Actress, singer
Genre(s)	Traditional pop, Jazz, Broadway, Pop rock

Liza May Minnelli (born March 12, 1946) is an American singer and actress. She is the daughter of singer and actress Judy Garland and film director Vincente Minnelli.

Already established as a nightclub singer and musical theatre actress, she first attracted critical acclaim for her dramatic performances in the movies The Sterile Cuckoo (1969) and Tell Me That You Love Me, Junie Moon (1970). Minnelli rose to international stardom for her appearance as Sally Bowles in the 1972 film version of the Broadway musical, Cabaret, for which she won the Academy Award for Best Actress.

While film projects such as Lucky Lady, A Matter of Time and New York, New York were less favorably received than her stage roles, Minnelli became one of the most versatile, highly regarded and best-selling entertainers in television, beginning with Liza with a Z in 1972, and on stage in the Broadway productions of Flora the Red Menace, The Act and The Rink. Minnelli also toured internationally and did shows such as Liza Minnelli: At Carnegie Hall, Frank, Liza & Sammy: The Ultimate Event, and Liza Live from Radio City Music Hall.

After years of chronic health problems, including a serious infection with viral encephalitis, she returned with a new concert show, Liza's Back, in 2002. She did several well-received guest appearances in the sitcom Arrested Development and had a small role in the movie The OH in Ohio, while continuing to tour internationally. In 2008/09 she performed the Broadway show Liza's at The Palace...! which earned a Tony Award for Best Special Theatrical Event.

Minnelli's half-sister and brother from Garland's marriage to Sid Luft are Lorna and Joey Luft. She also has another half-sister, Christiane Nina Minnelli (nicknamed Tina Nina), from her father's second marriage.

Minnelli also had a relationship with Desi Arnaz Jr., the son of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz.

Minnelli and her parents are the only family in the history of the Academy Awards in which each member has won an award.

Philanthropy

Minnelli has, throughout her lifetime, served various charities and causes which she considers very important. She served on the board of directors of The Institutes for The Achievement of Human Potential (IAHP) for 20 years, a nonprofit educational organization that introduces parents to the field of child brain development. She also dedicated much time to amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research. In 2007, Minnelli stated in an interview with Palm Springs Life magazine, “AmfAR is important to me because I’ve lost so many friends that I knew [to AIDS]”. In 1994, Minnelli recorded the Kander & Ebb tune "The Day After That" and donated the proceeds to AIDS research. That same year she performed the song in front of thousands in Central Park at the 25th anniversary of the Stonewall riots.

Filmography

{|class="wikitable" border="2" cellpadding="4" background: #f9f9f9; |- align="center" ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Year ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Film ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Role ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Notes |- |1949 | In the Good Old Summertime | Baby | uncredited |- |1954 | The Long, Long Trailer | Wedding Guest |scenes deleted |- |1967 | Charlie Bubbles | Eliza |- |1969 | The Sterile Cuckoo | 'Pookie' (Mary Ann) Adams |David di Donatello for Best Foreign ActressKansas City Film Critics Circle Award for Best ActressMar del Plata Film Festival Award for Best ActressNominated — Academy Award for Best ActressNominated — BAFTA Award for Most Promising Newcomer to Leading Film RolesNominated — Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Drama |- |1970 | Tell Me That You Love Me, Junie Moon | Junie Moon |- |1972 | Cabaret | Sally Bowles |Academy Award for Best ActressBAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading RoleDavid di Donatello for Best Foreign ActressGolden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or ComedySant Jordi Award for Best Performance in a Foreign Film |- |rowspan=3|1974 | Just One More Time | Herself | uncredited (short subject) |- | That's Entertainment! | Herself (narrator) |- | Journey Back to Oz | Dorothy | voice |- |1975 | Lucky Lady | Claire |Nominated — Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy |- |rowspan=2|1976 | Silent Movie | Herself | |- | A Matter of Time | Nina | |- |1977 | New York, New York | Francine Evans |Nominated — Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy |- |1981 | Arthur | Linda Marolla |Nominated — Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy |- |1983 | The King of Comedy | Herself | appears in gag cardboard cutout |- |1984 | The Muppets Take Manhattan | Herself | |- |1985 | That's Dancing! | Herself - Host | |- |1987 || Rent-A-Cop | Della Roberts | |- |1988 | | Linda Marolla Bach | |- |1991 | Stepping Out | Mavis Turner | |- |1994 | A Century of Cinema | Herself | documentary |- |1995 | Unzipped | Herself - uncredited | documentary |- |2006 | The OH in Ohio | Alyssa Donahue | |- |2010 |Broadway: Beyond the Golden Age | Herself | documentary |- | 2010 | Sex and the City 2 | Wedding Minister/Herself | Film Sequel To (Sex And The City) |- |}

Television movies

The Dangerous Christmas of Red Riding Hood (1965)

The Princess and the Pea (1984, episode of the television anthology Faerie Tale Theatre)

A Time to Live (1985)

Sam Found Out: A Triple Play (1988)

Parallel Lives (1994)

The West Side Waltz (1995)

Specials

Judy and Liza at the Palladium (1964, with Judy Garland)

Liza (1970)

Liza with a ‘Z’. A Concert for Television (1972)

Love from A to Z (1974, with Charles Aznavour)

Goldie and Liza Together (1980, with Goldie Hawn)

An Evening with Liza Minnelli (1980)

Liza in London (1986)

Minnelli on Minnelli: Liza Remembers Vincente (1987, documentary)

Frank, Liza & Sammy: The Ultimate Event (1989, with Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr.)

Liza Live from Radio City Music Hall (1992)

Liza & Friends: A Tribute to Sammy Davis, Jr. (1993, with Charles Aznavour, Tom Jones, Jerry Lewis, Cliff Richard)

Discography

Stage productions

. In the early 1980s, Minnelli was in the running for the role of Evita.]]

Wish You Were Here (1961) (Hyannis, Massachusetts)

Take Me Along (1961) (Hyannis, Massachusetts)

Flower Drum Song (1961) (Hyannis, Massachusetts)

The Diary of Anne Frank (1961−1962) (Tour)

Best Foot Forward (1963) (Off-Broadway)

Carnival! (1964) (Paper Mill Playhouse)

Time Out For Ginger (1964) (Bucks County Playhouse)

The Fantasticks (1964) (Tour)

Flora the Red Menace (1965) (Broadway)

The Pajama Game (1966) (Tour)

Liza (1974) (one woman show, Broadway)

Chicago (1975) (replacement for Gwen Verdon from Aug−Sep. 1975, Broadway)

The Act (1977−1978) (Broadway)

Are You Now or Have You Ever Been? (1978) (guest appearance, Off-Broadway)

The Owl and the Pussycat (1978−1979) (Martha Graham Ballet/London and Lincoln Center/New York City)

By Myself (1983) (one woman show, Los Angeles and London)

The Rink (1984) (Broadway)

Love Letters (1994) (Coconut Grove Playhouse, Miami)

Victor/Victoria (1997) (vacation replacement for Julie Andrews, Broadway)

Minnelli on Minnelli (1999−2000) (concert show, Broadway, Palace Theater)

Liza's Back! (2002) (concert show, New York and London)

Liza's at the Palace...! (2008−2009) (concert show, Broadway, Palace Theater)

Awards and honors

Film awards

Academy Awards

1970 nominated: Best Actress (The Sterile Cuckoo)

1973 won: Best Actress (Cabaret)

Minnelli has the distinction of being the only Academy Award winner whose parents were both Academy Award winners (her father won as Best Director for Gigi and her mother received an honorary Oscar for The Wizard of Oz).

British Academy of Film and Television Arts

1971 nominated: Film Most Promising Newcomer to Leading Film Roles (The Sterile Cuckoo)

1973 won: Best Actress (Cabaret)

Golden Globe Awards

1970 nominated: Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama (The Sterile Cuckoo)

1973 won: Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy (Cabaret)

1976 nominated: Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy (Lucky Lady)

1978 nominated: Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy (New York, New York)

1982 nominated: Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy (Arthur)

Television awards

Emmy Awards

1973 won: Outstanding Single Program – Variety and Popular Music (Liza with a 'Z'. A Concert for Television)

1973 nominated: Outstanding Achievement by a Supporting Performer in a Variety Show or a Special (A Royal Gala Variety Performance)

1980 nominated: Outstanding Variety or Music Program (Goldie and Liza Together)

1987 nominated: Outstanding Informational Special (Minnelli on Minnelli: Liza Remembers Vincente)

1993 nominated: Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program (Liza Live from Radio City Music Hall)

Golden Globe Awards

1986 won: Best Actress in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television (A Time to Live)

Recording awards

Grammy Awards

1997 nominated: Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance (Gently)

2010 nominated: Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album (Liza's at The Palace...!)

Grammy Hall of Fame Award

2008 inducted (Cabaret. Original Soundtrack Recording)

Grammy Legend Award 1990 won: Grammy Legend Award for Contributions and Influence in the Recording Field

Stage awards

Drama Desk Awards

1984 nominated: Outstanding Actress in a Musical (The Rink)

2009 won: Drama Desk Special Award for “her role as a beloved American musical theater icon, for her enduring career of sustained excellence, and her glorious performance in Liza's at The Palace...!”

Independent Theatre Reviewers Association

2009 won: Best Female Theatrical Performance (Liza's at The Palace...!)

Theatre World Award

1963 won: Outstanding Off-Broadway Debut (Best Foot Forward)

Tony Awards

1965 won: Best Leading Actress in a Musical (Flora the Red Menace)

1974 won: Special Tony Award for “adding lustre to the Broadway season”

1978 won: Best Leading Actress in a Musical (The Act)

1984 nominated: Best Leading Actress in a Musical (The Rink)

The show Liza's at The Palace...! itself won the Tony Award for Best Special Theatrical Event in 2009.

Miscellaneous Honors

Hasty Pudding Theatricals

1973: Hasty Pudding Woman of the Year

Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation

2005: Vanguard Award, for “her contributions to increased visibility and understanding of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community”

Mercy College (New York) 2007: Honorary Doctorate, “for her charitable activities and a career that has spanned five decades and multiple genres”

Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays

2010: Straight for Equality in Entertainment Award, for “her lifelong support of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people.”

Other appearances

Minnelli appears in the song "Mama" on the My Chemical Romance album The Black Parade. She added her vocals to the song from a separate studio while members of the band listened via satellite.

See also

List of persons who have won Academy, Emmy, Grammy, and Tony Awards

References

Further reading

Leigh, Wendy (1993), Liza: Born a Star. E. P. Dutton

Mair, George (1996), Under the Rainbow: The Real Liza Minnelli. Carol Publishing

Schechter, Scott (2004), The Liza Minnelli Scrapbook. Kensington Books/Citadel Press * See Free Preview at Amazon.com

Spada, James (1983), Judy and Liza. Doubleday

External links

Official Minnelli Site

Liza Minnelli at TVGuide.com

Category:1946 births Category:1980s singers Category:1990s singers Category:2000s singers Category:2010s singers Category:American contraltos Category:American female singers Category:American film actors Category:American musical theatre actors Category:Best Actress Academy Award winners Category:Best Miniseries or Television Movie Actress Golden Globe winners Category:Best Musical or Comedy Actress Golden Globe (film) winners Category:Emmy Award winners Category:American people of English descent Category:American people of French-Canadian descent Category:Grammy Award winners Category:American musicians of Irish descent Category:American musicians of Italian descent Category:Judy Garland Category:LGBT rights activists from the United States Category:Living people Category:People from Los Angeles, California Category:People from Scarsdale, New York Category:American people of Sicilian descent Category:Tony Award winners Category:Traditional pop music singers Category:Hybrid Recordings artists

Name	Alexander Rybak
Background	solo_singer
Born	May 13, 1986
Origin	Minsk, Belarus
Instrument	Vocals, Violin, Piano
Genre	Pop, Folk, Classical
Occupation	Singer, Actor, songwriter Composer, Pianist
Years active	1991–present
Associated acts	Eurovision Song Contest 2009, Frikar
Url	www.alexanderrybak.com

Alexander Igoroyevich Rybak or Alyaksandr Igaravich Rybak (, born 13 May 1986 in Belarus) is a Norwegian His parents are Natalia Valentinovna Rybak, a classical pianist, and Igor Alexandrovich Rybak, a well-known classical violinist who performs alongside Pinchas Zukerman. Alexander Rybak has collaborated with artists such as a-ha's lead singer Morten Harket and Arve Tellefsen. As of 2007, Rybak has played the fiddler in Oslo Nye Teater's production of Fiddler on the Roof and won the Hedda Award for this role.

Eurovision 2009

Rybak won the 54th Eurovision Song Contest in Moscow, Russia, with a record 387 points, singing "Fairytale", and in an ESCtoday poll he scored 71.3%, making him the favourite to get into the final. | style="text-align:center;"|23 | style="text-align:center;"|— | style="text-align:center;"|— | style="text-align:center;"|— | style="text-align:center;"|— | style="text-align:center;"|— | style="text-align:center;"|56 | style="text-align:center;"|— | style="text-align:center;"|— | style="text-align:center;"|— | style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"|No Boundaries |- |align="left"|"Europe's Skies" | style="text-align:center;"|— | style="text-align:center;"|— | style="text-align:center;"|— | style="text-align:center;"|— | style="text-align:center;"|— | style="text-align:center;"|— | style="text-align:center;"|— | style="text-align:center;"|— | style="text-align:center;"|— | style="text-align:center;"|— |Non-Album single |}

Filmography

References

Hyllet i hjembygda (Norwegian), Østlands-Posten, May 18, 2009, about the official Alexander Rybak Fanclub on Facebook

Du kan bli med Alex til Moskva (Norwegian), Akershus Amtstidende, April 15, 2009, about the official Alexander Rybak Fanclub on Facebook

External links

Official homepage

Official Facebook Page

Official International Fansite of Alexander Rybak

Fan web-site of Alexander Rybak

Alexander Rybak PR in Ireland

Category:1986 births Category:Living people Category:Eastern Orthodox Christians from Norway Category:Melodi Grand Prix contestants Category:Melodi Grand Prix winners Category:Naturalised citizens of Norway Category:Norwegian violinists Category:Norwegian male singers Category:Norwegian actors Category:Norwegian composers Category:Norwegian Eurovision Song Contest entrants Category:Eurovision Song Contest entrants of 2009 Category:Eurovision Song Contest winners Category:People from Minsk Category:Norwegian people of Belarusian descent Category:People from Nesodden Category:Norwegian multi-instrumentalists Category:Norwegian fiddlers