Look up Bagdad in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

Bagdad may refer to:

• Baghdad, the capital city of Iraq

Places[link]

Australia

• Bagdad, Tasmania

Mexico

• Bagdad, Tamaulipas

Poland

• Bagdad, Poland

United States

• Bagdad, Arizona
• Bagdad, California
• Bagdad, Butte County, California
• Bagdad, Florida
• Bagdad, Kentucky
• Bagdad, New York
• Bagdad, Virginia
• Bagdad, Wisconsin, a ghost town

Culture[link]

• Bagdad (song), a 1924 song by Jack Yellen and Milton Ager
• Bagdad (film), a 1949 American motion picture
• Bagdad (club)

See also[link]

• Baghdad (disambiguation)

This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the same title. If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article.

Tina Arena
Arena at the APRA Music Awards 2012
Background information
Birth name	Filippina Lydia Arena
Born	(1967-11-01) 1 November 1967 (age 44) East Keilor, Victoria, Australia
Genres	R&B, soul, pop, French pop
Occupations	singer, songwriter, actress
Instruments	voice, piano
Years active	1974–present
Labels	Columbia, EMI, Sony BMG
Website	tinaarena.com

Tina Arena (born Filippina Lydia Arena; 1 November 1967)^[1] is an Australian singer, songwriter and musical theatre actress. She has won several awards, most notably 6 ARIA Awards and in both 1996 and 2000 she received the World Music Award for the world's best selling Australian artist. She has sold over eight million records worldwide to date. Tina has accepted the position of judge on the 2011 reboot of Young Talent Time in Australia. The original 1977 series made her a household name.

Early life[link]

Arena was born to Italian immigrants, Giuseppe and Franca Arena, living in the Melbourne suburb of East Keilor, Victoria. She has two sisters, Nancy and Silvana. Her family calls her Pina which evolved into her stage name, Tina. Arena attended St. Columba's College, Melbourne, in Essendon, from 1980 and graduated in 1985.

Music career[link]

[edit] 1974–1983: Young Talent Time

Arena began her career as a 7-year-old, singing live on the variety television show Young Talent Time. Even as a young girl she was known for her powerful voice and stage presence, but she dropped from sight for several years following her Young Talent Time tenure, working the club circuit alone and in bands and also appearing in musicals.

[edit] 1988–1991: Strong as Steel

In 1987, at the age of 20, she was reinvented as a raunchy disco diva with the national Number 3 platinum selling single "I Need Your Body". It gave her a successful album, Strong as Steel, and more hits, but for Tina this was a momentary digression, as this was not a music style or image with which she was comfortable with.^{[citation needed]}

1994–1996:'Don't Ask[link]

After a couple of years, Arena broke the stigma of a TV childhood and carved out a successful solo career with Columbia Records. The David Tyson-produced Don't Ask was Australia's biggest selling album of 1995 and one of the biggest selling album by any Australian female singer to date. Don't Ask sold over five million copies worldwide and was certified 10 times platinum in Australia.

[edit] 1997–2000: In Deep and Notre Dame de Paris

The follow-up album, In Deep, produced by Foreigner's Mick Jones, was also a multi-platinum success. The singles "I Want to Know What Love Is" and "Burn" even had minor success in some U.S. airplay charts and Arena's songwriting abilities were particularly well noted in Nashville where a number of pedigreed country music artists have since covered her songs, including Wynonna Judd ("Heaven Help My Heart", "Love's Funny That Way"), Jo Dee Messina ("Burn"), Pam Tillis ("If I Didn’t Love You"), Terri Clark ("Unsung Hero"), Kellie Coffey, Kathie Baillie ("Love's Funny That Way") and LeAnn Rimes ("You Made Me Find Myself").

Arena's collaboration with Marc Anthony, "I Want to Spend My Lifetime Loving You", from The Mask of Zorro soundtrack, gave her a new kind of European success, tipping the scales of her success in France where both the song and the album became Top 3, which the album peaked at #3 and was certified 3× Platinum in France. Her first French single "Aller plus haut" has sold 1 million copies in France and peaked at #2 on the French singles chart, her second French single "Les trois cloches" was released in 2000, which peaked at #4.

An attempt by Sony to "break" Arena into the American market prompted the release of "If I Was a River", penned by Diane Warren, prior to In Deep's release there. The single was not particularly successful despite numerous promotional appearances on television shows such as Donny & Marie, but in 1999 she met label-mate Donna Summer who asked her to join her in concert to sing "No More Tears (Enough is Enough)". The duet was well received and subsequently released on Summer's live album Live & More Encore.

Regardless of her recording achievements, musical theatre has always remained more than just a sideline for Arena. Her performance in the Australian production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, while still in her teens, was applauded by the show's producer, Andrew Lloyd Webber. She has since made acclaimed appearances in the UK production of Notre Dame de Paris, as Esmeralda, and as Sally Bowles in the Sam Mendes-directed Cabaret in 2002.^[2] Arena returned to the London stage in April 2007, starring as Roxie Hart in the hit West End production of Chicago.

[edit] 2000: Sydney Olympic Games

During the opening ceremony, Tina performed The Flame.

[edit] 2001–2002: Just Me

Despite her international success, Arena's popularity in Australia had begun to wane with her fourth album Just Me failing to match the success of Don't Ask and In Deep, but still managed to certify Gold in Australia and France. The album spawned a Top 10 ARIA single and #1 Australian radio airplay single, 'Symphony Of Life'. Tina performed the track at the closing of the Gay Games, when the international sporting event was held in Sydney.

[edit] 2003–2005: "Never (Past Tense)" and Greatest Hits (1994–2004)

A foray into dance music in 2003 was also successful when Arena was featured on The Roc Project's "Never (Past Tense)" which reached #1 on the United States Billboard dance Top 10. This marked the first time three performers associated with Young Talent Time were simultaneously in the chart's Top 10 with Dannii Minogue's "I Begin to Wonder" and Kylie Minogue's "Slow" also appearing on the chart. The track was also featured heavily on the US TV series Queer as Folk and on the soundtrack album. Arena performed the Tiësto remix of "Never" along with a new remix of "Dare You to Be Happy" live at the official Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras afterparty in March 2005.

In 2004, Arena released her first compilation album greatest hits album and release a new single Italian Love Song, peaked at #33 on the ARIA Charts, became her last single peaked in the top 50. After that she had a subsequent tour in late 2004-early 2005.

[edit] 2005–2007: Un autre univers

Her debut French language album Un Autre Univers was released in December 2005 and was yet another Platinum milestone for her there, riding high in the French charts for well over a year and featuring the award-winning single "Aimer jusqu'à l'impossible" which peaked at #3 on the French charts and stayed in the top 5 for over 10 weeks. The song received the award for Song Of The Year in France. A second single "Je m'appelle Bagdad" is released in June 2006, peaking at #6.

[edit] 2007–2008: Songs of Love & Loss

Arena's sixth studio album titled Songs of Love & Loss was recorded independently and self-financed as she no longer had a recording contract in Australia. The album was eventually released on 1 December 2007 after a new deal was struck with EMI Australia. The record was primarily made up of torch songs originally recorded by women in the 1960s and 70s such as Dusty Springfield and Diana Ross and the arrangements featured a full string orchestra conducted by Simon Hale. A promotional tour of Australia in early November included appearances on Dancing with the Stars and Sunrise. Five concert dates backed by a 35 piece orchestra were held in December–January: three at the Sydney Opera House and two at Melbourne's Hamer Hall. The album peaked at #3 on the ARIA Top Albums chart and was nominated for the ARIA Award for Best Selling Album.

[edit] 2008–2009: 7 vies and Songs of Love & Loss 2

While Arena was still promoting Songs of Love & Loss in Australia, her first French single in two years, "Entends-tu le monde?", was made available to French radio. The video was shot in and around Sydney during the promotional tour of her home country and went on heavy rotation on French music television channels upon its release. The song was the first single from her sophomore French album 7 vies which was released on 28 January 2008 and debuted at #12 on the official French charts, her highest debut ever in the country. The single "Entends-tu le monde?" was physically released on 11 February 2008 and debuted at #10 on the French charts, becoming her sixth top ten single there.

August 2008 saw Arena performing with Andrea Bocelli during his Australian tour. The two performed well received duets of "The Prayer", "Canto della Terra" and a cover of Elvis Presley's "Can't Help Falling in Love". Prior to the tour she had been in the UK recording her eighth studio album Songs of Love & Loss 2, which was released on 15 November 2008.^[3] For this album, her vocals were recorded live with the London Studio Orchestra, again conducted by Hale.^[4]

Arena & Alison Jiear at Sydney Mardi Gras 2009.

Alongside fellow Australian singer and songwriter Darren Hayes, Arena appeared as a guest judge during the London auditions of Australian Idol's sixth season. The episode featuring Arena and Hayes aired on 27 August 2008. She again appeared as a guest judge on 16 November while she was in Australia to promote Songs of Love & Loss 2.

Arena has been awarded a Knighthood of the Order of National Merit, the second highest civil honour in France, by French President Nicolas Sarkozy in February 2009 for her contributions to French culture.^[5][6]

In March 2009, Arena toured Australia in support of her album Songs of Love & Loss 2 and also appeared as a surprise guest performer at the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras party singing a medley of "Aimer jusqu'à l'impossible" and "No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)" at 3 am accompanied by Alison Jiear on the latter.

2009 also saw the release of Arena's first French greatest hits album, The Best & le meilleur, and The Peel Me Sessions, an album of original material recorded in 2003 but rejected by her label at the time Sony.

2010–present[link]

A live CD and DVD was released in Australia in January 2010, The Onstage Collection, where the album peaked at #22 on the ARIA Charts. On 24 July 2011, Arena sang the Australian National Anthem on the podium of the Tour de France after the victory of Cadel Evans. Arena has been confirmed as a judge on the upcoming French version of The Sing-Off. She also appeared as a judge on the 2012 version of Young Talent Time in Australia, twenty-nine years after her final regular appearance on the original series.

Personal life[link]

In December 1995, Arena married her manager Ralph Carr. In 1999 they divorced. In 2000, Arena began dating French artist Vincent Mancini, sometimes credited as Vincent Hare. Together, they have a son Gabriel Joseph, born 17 November 2005. The family travel between France, Australia and the UK, but have been based in Paris since 2008.^[7]

Discography[link]

Awards[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official website
• Tina Arena Official Myspace
• Question and Answer session with Tina on Theatre.Com

Murukan Kattakada
Born	Murukan
Residence	Kattakada
Nationality	Indian
Citizenship	Indian
Occupation	Malayalam Poet
Notable work(s)	Kannada, Renuka etc
Home town	Kattakada

Murukan Kattakada (Malayalam: മുരുകന്‍ കാട്ടാകട) is a Malayali poet and lyricist. He was born in Kattakada, a small town near Trivandrum in Kerala. He wrote the lyrics of songs in Malayalam films like Oru Naal Varum,^{[1] [2][3]} Parayan Marannathu, Bhagavan, Chattambinadu^[4] and Rathinirvedam.

He started his career as a teacher, teaching economics for classes Plus 1 and 2 in SMV Government Higher Secondary School, Trivandrum.

List of poems[link]

Kannada

Renuka

Baghdad

Paka

Thirike Yathra

Oru Karshakante Athmahathyakkurippu

Unaratha Padmatheerthangal

Rekthasakshi

Kaathirippu

References[link]

External links[link]

• Murukan Kattakkada recites 'Baghdad'
• Renuka
• malayalasangeetham.com

This article about a poet from India is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v t e

This article related to Kerala is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v t e

Jevetta Steele (born November 11, 1963) is an African American gospel music singer.

Biography[link]

Steele is originally from Gary, Indiana, though she has lived in Minneapolis, Minnesota, for many years. She originally migrated to the Twin Cities to become a criminal lawyer,^[1] although music and stage would eventually became her destined paths. In addition to her successful solo career, Steele is a member of the acclaimed gospel group The Steeles. Jevetta Steele is married and is a mother to three children.^[2]

Musical career[link]

In 1985, Steele landed the lead role of Ismene in the touring show, The Gospel at Colonus. She went on to appear in productions of Smokey Joe's Cafe, Don't Bother Me, I Can't Cope, Ain't Misbehavin', Crowns, and Double Infidelities. She recently composed the musical Two Queens, One Castle, which opened to rave reviews.^[1]

Jevetta Steele has also been featured on several soundtracks. Her most famous song is "Calling You" from the movie Bagdad Café; the song was nominated for an Academy Award. Steele can also be heard on the Corrina, Corrina soundtrack.

She has recorded and toured with Prince, George Clinton, 10,000 Maniacs, and Mavis Staples. She appeared on the album Memorial Beach, recorded by the Norwegian group a-ha, performing backing vocals on the songs "Lie Down in Darkness" and "Move to Memphis". Her most recent album is a 2006 collection of original and classic jazz selections called My Heart.

Albums[link]

• Jevetta Steele (1988)
• Hold Me (EP) (1992)
• Here It Is (1993)
• My Heart (2006)

References[link]

1. ^ ^{a b} jevetta2007
2. ^ The Steel Music

External links[link]

• Official website
• Two Queens One Castle Review (Theater News)

This gospel music article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v t e

John Justin (24 November 1917 - 29 November 2002) was a British stage and film actor.

John Justinian de Ledesma was born in London, England, the son of a well-off Argentine rancher. Though he grew up on his father's ranch, he was educated at Bryanston School, Dorset.^[1] He developed an interest in flying and became a qualified pilot at the age of 12, though he was not allowed to fly solo at the time because of his age.

The acting bug bit him early. By the age of 16, he had joined the Plymouth Repertory. In 1937, he briefly trained with the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, but did not like it and soon joined the repertory company of John Gielgud. In 1938, he auditioned for and won the role for which he is perhaps best remembered, Ahmad in the 1940 version of The Thief of Bagdad, opposite Sabu.

World War II broke out during the film's production. After completing the picture, Justin joined the Royal Air Force, serving as a test pilot and flying instructor.^[1][2] He also worked on two films, The Gentle Sex (1943) with Leslie Howard, and Journey Together (1944) with Edward G. Robinson.

With the war's end, Justin returned to acting. He made more films, such as David Lean's The Sound Barrier (1952), Island in the Sun (1957) and Lisztomania (1975), but his strong preference was for the stage. He became a member of the Old Vic company in 1959. He made his Broadway debut in 1960 in the play Little Moon of Alban. In 1979 he played the ghoulish lover in the BBC's dramatisation of Le Fanu's "Strange incident in the life of Schalcken the painter", one of its Christmas ghost stories.

Justin was married three times, first to dancer and choreographer Pola Nirenska. His second marriage, to actress Barbara Murray, lasted from 1952 to 1964; they had three daughters. From 1970 to his death in 2002, he was married to Alison McMurdo.

Partial filmography[link]

• The Thief of Bagdad (1940)
• The Gentle Sex (1943)
• The Sound Barrier (1952)
• King of the Khyber Rifles (1953)
• The Village (1953)
• The Teckman Mystery (1954)
• The Man Who Loved Redheads (1955)
• Island in the Sun (1957)
• The Spider's Web (1960)
• Savage Messiah (1972)
• Lisztomania (1975)
• Valentino (1977)
• The Big Sleep (1978)
• Trenchcoat (1983)

References[link]

External links[link]

• John Justin at the Internet Movie Database
• John Justin at AllRovi

This article about a British television actor or actress is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v t e

This article about a British stage actor or actress is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v t e