Carnival

Carnival (see other spellings and names) is a Christian festive season that occurs before the Christian season of Lent. The main events typically occur during February or early March, during the period historically known as Shrovetide (or Pre-Lent). Carnival typically involves a public celebration and/or parade combining some elements of a circus, masks and public street party. People wear masks and costumes during many such celebrations, allowing them to lose their everyday individuality and join a social collective. The celebrations have long been associated with heavy alcohol consumption. Other common features of carnival include mock battles such as food fights; social satire and mockery of authorities; the grotesque body displaying hybridized or exaggerated features such as large noses, bellies, mouths, and phalli or elements of animal bodies; abusive language and degrading acts; depictions of disease and gleeful death; and a general reversal of everyday rules and norms.

The term Carnival is traditionally used in areas with a large Catholic presence. However, the Philippines, a predominantly Roman Catholic country, does not celebrate Carnival anymore since the dissolution of the Manila Carnival after 1939, the last carnival in the country. In historically Lutheran countries, the celebration is known as Fastelavn, and in areas with a high concentration of Anglicans and Methodists, pre-Lenten celebrations, along with penitential observances, occur on Shrove Tuesday. In Eastern Orthodox nations, Maslenitsa is celebrated during the last week before Great Lent. In German-speaking Europe and the Netherlands, the Carnival season traditionally opens on 11/11 (often at 11:11 a.m.). This dates back to celebrations before the Advent season or with harvest celebrations of St. Martin's Day.

Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival

The Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival is the name of a Melbourne, Australia Thoroughbred horse racing series held annually during October and November.

The Carnival and its status in the wider community

Although racing in Australia is held every day except Good Friday and Christmas Day, the Group One races in Melbourne are held almost exclusively throughout the carnival, which is traditionally placed between the football and cricket seasons. During the winter (where football is dominant), and summer (where cricket is dominant), racing takes a 'back seat' position in relation to the cricket or football in terms of media coverage and attendances. However, in spring and autumn, the mass media turns its attention to the racing. There is also a Melbourne Autumn Racing Carnival, a time where Group One races are also held.

Attendance

Sweeps

The carnival, and particularly the Melbourne Cup attracts the interest of many people otherwise uninterested in horse racing, and special forms of very low-stake gambling are often used for this event. One common form for groups such as office staff is the "sweep", where each participant adds a small fee to a "pot" and draws the name of a horse like a raffle. Prize money is distributed to the person who draws the winning horse (occasionally smaller prizes are awarded to placegetters and the last-placing horse). A more complex and high-stakes form of the sweep is the "Calcutta", often held as a fundraising event for community organisations, which begins as in the sweep (though usually with a much higher initial stake), but which allows ticket holders to trade their tickets through an auction system.

Pretty Cure

Pretty Cure, PreCure, or Precure (プリキュア, Purikyua) is a Japanese magical girl anime metaseries created by Izumi Todo and produced by Asahi Broadcasting Corporation and Toei Animation. Beginning in February 2004 with Futari wa Pretty Cure, the franchise has seen many anime series, spanning over 500 episodes to date, as well as spawning movies, manga, toys, and video games. Its most recent iteration, Maho Girls PreCure!, began airing in February 2016 as part of TV Asahi's Sunday morning children's television block, following Super Hero Time. To date, two of the series have received English-language dubs.

Overview

Each of the series focuses on a group of girls, most commonly Japanese schoolgirls in their second year of middle school, who are granted special items that allow them to transform into legendary warriors known as the Pretty Cure (or Precure). With the assistance of creatures known as fairies, the Pretty Cure use their magical powers and enhanced strength to fight against evil forces and organizations who create monsters to bring misery to the Earth and further their plans. As these series progress and stronger enemies appear, the Cures gain new magical items, new abilities, and sometimes new allies to help them in their fight against evil.

All-star (disambiguation)

All-star is an entertainment industry (sports, film, music) term.

All-star (or All Star) may also refer to:

Awards

Literature

Cure All

Cure All is an album by keyboardist Robert Walter. The recording features James Singleton (bass) and Johnny Vidacovich (drums).AllMusic states that Cure All is soul-jazz with "a healthy balance of intellect and funkiness".All About Jazz states Cure All's "simplicity is refreshing rather than predictable" and that Walter's sidemen for the album are known for their appreciation for the spirit of New Orleans.

Track listing

Personnel

References