THE BALCONYTV INTERNET AWARDS

Ok, hmmmmm, where to begin with this entry?
'
Basically I have a bit of a gripe with so called 'Irish Internet Awards'. There are two main award ceremonies in Ireland, as far as I can see, with my brief knowledge of the Irish internet 'scene'.

1/ The Digital Media Awards
These awards are held in the Burlington Hotel. Have over 20 categories. They cost 130Euros plus vat to be considered for an award. And if nominated cost 220Euros per seat to attend.

2/ The Golden Spider Awards
These awards are also held in the Burlington Hotel. They also have over 20 categories. They also cost about 130Euros to be considered for an award. And they cost over 260Euros to attend.

No difference.

Both awards ceremonies have 'big' sponsors. For instance 'Business and Finance Magazine' is one sponsor of the Golden Spiders. It just so happens that said magazine is the holder of the 'Internet Hero Award' from the Golden Spiders. Whatever that is.

You can actually enter the category of 'Internet Hero' if you want. Who would be so vain? I ask you!!!!

The thing that bothers me about these awards is that they completly fail to encourage young people to create interesting websites - surely the whole point of an award ceremony. And charging so much for entry and attendence, what hope do they ever have?

I can't gaurentee there are that many interesting websites coming from Ireland. Its very hard to think of any. But to be honest, who cares what the 'Best Property Website' is? Or what the best Education, Research and Training Website is?

It cost BalconyTV over 1200Euros to be considered for an award at last years Digital Media Awards. 1200Euros, that we didn't have in reality. More the fools we are. We did win Best Music Website. We did tout this to the world. But to be honest, it didn't feel entirely right.

Having made a reasonably successful short film myself, I know all about the film festival circuit. You can be considered for the Cannes Film Festival for 50 quid. You can be considered for the Oscars for less. Why so much for the Irish internet awards?

So in saying all that, we here at BalconyTV have been mulling over creating our own internet award ceremony. And I'm beginning to think it would be a good idea.

Simply put, we are looking for five innovative, qookie, unusual, creative, experimental websites. Entry is free. If you have a website, which you think deserves recognition send your details here. The BalconyTV Internet Awards are born!!! The ceremony will be held November 22nd on the Balcony!

More on this tomorrow, when I get my head around how this all going to work!

Meanwhile, here is some further reading.
http://www.pixelapes.com/index.php/2007/08/17/irish-web-design-awards.html
http://www.irishwebawards.com/index.php/Main_Page
http://www.redcardinal.ie/webdev/06-11-2006/golden-spiders/
http://www.goldenspiders.ie/
http://www.digitalmedia.ie/

FEIST

Last night I went to see Feist in the Tripod. Who is Feist some of you may ask?
Well thats the same question I asked. I had been tipped off it was a sold out gig not to be missed.
Feist is a Canadian singer songwriter with more of a rock edge, while having one of the most velvety voices your likely to come accross. I made a last gasp attempt to get her on BalconyTV yesterday evening, but obviously that proved fruitless.
Little did I know she has some quite popular tunes, and is actually right now astronomically famous.
Everyone knows this...

She seems to have alot going on besides this catchy ditty.
There were alot of young 20 year old men at the gig I noticed. It seems that some are transfixed by more than her music.
Great gig though. One word - exuberent! Or is it exuberant!
Anyway, I notice on Feists MySpace, that she performs in Hamburg on the 4th.
Hmmmmm, now to talk over the Universal heavies.
More Feistyness...

KIDS SHOWS

Paulines 'two thumbs up' for the fantastic Declan O' Rourke reminds me of that show on RTE where they would give one 'iota' to the green team...and one to the red team. What was it called? Mary Kingston presented it.
Hold on as I IMDB it...
(5 mins later)
I'm struggling here. Still can't find anything. Hmmmmmm...
(5 mins later)
No, cant't find anything. If anyone knows the name of that show, they might drop us an email.
I seem to remember them knocking on unsuspecting peoples houses, and the people just so happening to be just inside the door. Often looking out the side window plane. Alan Partridge-esque. Even as a kid you'd watch it and cringe.
Wasn't that long ago. Early nineties maybe.
Paulines 'two thumbs up' reminds me even more of Live and Kicking on BBC. They would always have 3 'celebrities' rating 10 seconds of music videos. Infact, if my memory serves me right, they had big thumbs and would rate the videos 'hit' 'miss' or 'maybe'.
YouTube...help me...
(5 seconds later)
Success...
Zoe Ball is looking well.

SUNDAY ROAST AT THE SPIEGELTENT

I confess, myself and Tom snuck along to the Spiegeltent again last night, despite my constant moanings about it. Oh the hypocrisy!
We went alont to and support Keiron Black and the Sunday Roast gang who were staging the night. They has a stellar line up after all.
Declan O Rourke, Jinx Lennon, The Pale and RoySeven amoungst others.
It was a fantastic night. Alot of familiars faces there. We saw Martina from the Bloog Red Mountain Gang and the lads from Elavator there.
It was a great night. Congrats to all at the Sunday Roast.

FRIDAY STUFF

Luan Parle yesterday, Royseven today, and a sexy bellydancer on BalconyTV.De. It has been a good week for the balcony. Added to that we have a film maker dropping by this evening to take advantage of our amazing views. Its all happening.
We are hoping to have another special guest on next week. And if rumour is correct, BalconyTV.De has lined up a big act for next week also, although I should touch wood all will work out for them, as its not quite set in stone yet.
Pauline has asked my to give a shout out about her band AlanAldas who are performing tonight at the Wexford Arts Centre supporting Chaplin at 8.30. If you haven't seen them yet, AlanAlda are one of the undiscovered gems of the Irish music scene, so forget the Rugby (sure we're gonna get wopped), and head along. Heres a link to the bands myspace:

http://www.myspace.com/alanaldatheband

And the of course there is Jose. Ahhhhhh Jose...you will be missed...

SPIEGELTENT MADNESS

Although I moaned about the Spiegeltent last year, I went back this year. 23.50 in!!!!!!!! 23.50!!!!!!!!

The Spiegeltent is part of the Fringe Festival. The Fringe Festival is backed by ever major sponsor under the sun, including the likes of the Arts Council. The purpose of the Fringe Festival I would imagine being to introduce people who don't usually investigate the arts to take a look. If your a regular gig goer, there wouldnt be anything majorly ground breaking about it.

So where do they get off charging 23.50 entry fee. Shouldn't it be more like a fiver? Shouldn't the Fringe foot the bill, isn't that the point? Am I missing the point? Somebody help me.

Once inside, I found expensive drinks and rude people.

The whole thing made me very unhappy.

Speaking of which, watch this video a friend pointed out to me just today...makes you think.

http://www.ted.com/talks/view/id/97

TOM MILLETT TRIO

BalconyTVs Tom Millett has formed a new trio. They are available for bookings. Just call Tom on 0870560388 if interested. Here is just a small sample of what you can expect...

OVER 800'000 VIEWS AND THE FLAWS

So we have just achieved over 800'000 video views combined. Thats 100'000 views in quick time. That was less than a month by a few days. Aided it must be said, by the addition in the last week of BalconyTV Hamburg shows to the archive and the recent YouTube feature of Zoe Conway and John McIntyre. You will notice that BalconyTV Hamburg is already beating the Dubs in the daily views count. Impressive stuff.
Went to see The Flaws album launch gig in Crawdaddy last night. The place was packed, and the band put on a great show. Notable highlights being Sixteen and 1981, but as Paul from the Flaws said, thats just because the chorus was memorable. It will be interesting to see how far this band goes. The Flaws debut album is out today.
Here is a couple of flawed performances on the balcony. Get it? 'Flawed' performances...'flawed'...The Flaws...forget about it.

WANTED FOR MURDER

As a good friend said to me in a text message last night. 'We just don't play football'. Aint that the truth. What a depressing result last night.

Apart from that I had a nightmare I was wanted for murder. Apart from being on the run from the police, I was convinced I was going to hell. The fire and brimstone version, with little devils with hot pokers. The Madeline McCann case has gone to my head. So I didn't sleep well at all. Hence a scattery blog entry.

And apparently BalconyTV Hamburg featured in over 20 German newspapers and websites, to go along with Johanna and Lars mutitude of TV and radio appearances.

YOUTUBED OVERNIGHT

I see the great Zoe Conway and John McIntyre have featured on the frontpage of YouTube overnight. It seems incredible, but that already has translated into 17'000 extra views for BalconyTV. Which seems more than remarkable. Whos watching YouTube Ireland overnight? I'm guessing most must be overseas. It is a great and deserving performance. Look out for Zoe Conway with John McIntye touring Ireland in the Autumn. Here is the performance again if you missed it.

ADELA MEALLY

Todays BalconyTV show features Adela Meally. The first time I heard Adelas 'Party for Three' on her MySpace I was genuinely amazed by how good it sounded. It strikes you instantly. Much like her performance on BalconyTV.
Ofcoarse when she came to BalconyTV, she wouldnt play it! I'm hoping we can convince her to comeback very soon.
I was going to write about Britney Spears at the MTV Awards last night, but have decided to keep it real you know.

WIFI in FILMBASE

Its still tough to find good free WIFI in Dublin. I don't understand why cafes, restaurants and bars dont have it as standard. And I'm not interested in paying a fiver to sign up for 20 minutes either. Anyway, after an extensive search, the best place in my book is Filmbase. Good food, good coffee, and free wifi. Hip hip...hurray!
If anyone knows any other good spots, let me know.

MICKEY ROONEY

A quick review of the 'Audience with Mickey Rooney' in the NCH last night. The night made up of Mickey (85) recounting old Hollywood stories, and singing songs with his wife. His eight wife I may add! The NCH was half empty, which didn't do justice to a true Hollywood legend. Mickey was on top form, very self depreciating with his humour. Thorougly enjoyable.
85!!!!! Was tempted to sneek backstage and invite him up to the balcony, but then again we don't want to be responsible for his demise what with all our stairs.
Heres one of the multitude of clips I found of Mickey Rooney on YouTube. Here he is with Louis Armstrong.

THE WEEK IN SMALL REVIEW

A late response to our post earlier in the week. Myself and Pauline were off to Amsterdam to talk to some high power execs. We stayed in the ultra plush College Hotel. While there, we thought it might be a good idea to do a BalconyTV special from Amsterdam. The balcony we found was located very central on the Rokin. And we got very lucky with the band, as Apes In The Orange Grove were fantastic. Overall it was good fun. Good crack. A laugh as they say.
We've had good positive response since the launch of BalconyTV Hamburg just a week ago. Here is an article that featured in the Independent on Thurday...
http://www.independent.ie/business/technology/living-on-the-ledge-1073355.html
So overall a busy week.
On with the show.

ITALIA 90 AND ALL THAT

Call me cheesy, but this is still my favourite Pavarotti performance. While I hear it, in my mind all I can think of is the beauty of football. Ahhhhh, Italia 90 and all that. Its a pity we never got him on the balcony.
Hope you enjoyed todays special BalconyTV from Amsterdam. More on that tomorrow. In the meantime RIP Pavarotti.

EXPENSIVE INTERNET IN AMSTERDAM

Myself and Pauline are in Amsterdam today where we are making a presentation to some high power execs. Alas the hotel we are staying has ultra expensive internet access. 27Euros a day! Why do hotels do that?
Anyway, I refuse to pay it on principle, so instead I'm downstairs on the only general free computer the hotel has. Unfortunatly it is very slow and glitch ridden, and I think I have messed up the BalconyTV homepage as consequence.
So if BalconyTV looks a bit distorted. My mistake (and the hotels)(bah humbug). Hopefully we can sort that soon.
I hope its not one of those days.

IN THE NEWS

A couple of good news articles here all about of German launch, check em out...

http://www.siliconrepublic.com/news/news.nv?storyid=single9130

http://www.enn.ie/article/96173.html

GLOBAL DOMINATION

Well not quite. One step at a time.
Congratulations to Johanna and Lars for a great launch show of BalconyTV.De yesterday. It has to be said, the Germans know how to do things well. Look at those microphones! They have us purring with envy.
It seems we have already made the news in Germany. This is for the German speakers only.

http://www.zdf.de/ZDFheute/inhalt/20/0,3672,7000756,00.html

In the meantime here is todays first German act from BalconyTV.De! Six Simple Songs