COSTA SMERALDA INVITATIONAL 2017

Incredible weekend climaxes with charity Gala Dinner starring Pierce Brosnan and Global Gift Foundation Ambassador Pamela Anderson

The Costa Smeralda Invitational concluded with a glitzy Gala Dinner in aid of the Global Gift Foundation, where several high-profile Global Gift Foundation Ambassadors were in attendance, including TV stars Pamela Anderson, Former James Bond actor Pierce Brosnan, Alesha Dixon and actor Craig McGinlay.

Saracens favourite Schalk Brits proved he was just as handy with a golf club as he is with the rugby ball in Sardinia; edging out a star-studded field of celebrities at Pevero Golf Club, as part of a special festival of sport at The Costa Smeralda Invitational 2017.

After receiving some crucial tips from Solheim Cup captain Annika Sorenstam – who led a clinic before the golf event kicked off – Brits surged to victory in the Sardinian sunshine, finishing ahead of football legends Gianfranco Zola and Michael Ballack, who finished second and third respectively. Sorenstam was one of the main attractions, leading a ‘Beat The Pro’ contest, sponsored by tournament presenting partner, Salesforce.

Other high-profile names who took part in the golf competition included former Chelsea star Roberto Di Matteo, Premier League hitman Peter Crouch, cricket sensation Brian Lara and Hollywood star James Nesbitt. On behalf of sponsor Richard-Mille, five-time Ladies European Tour winner Diana Luna was another who made a special guest appearance.

Whilst Brits took home the honours in the celebrity golf tournament, Navid Chamdia recorded the best score of the day, scoring an impressive 36 points over the beautiful and challenging Pevero layout.

Golf wasn’t the only attraction at this year’s Costa Smeralda Invitational. The third edition of the event expanded beyond a Celeb-Am golf tournament and included a tennis tournament hosted by Wimbledon champion Pat Cash, a water-skiing challenge with fashion designer Melissa Odabash and a cycling tour.

The Costa Smeralda Invitational concluded with a glitzy Gala Dinner in aid of the Global Gift Foundation, where several high-profile Global Gift Foundation Ambassadors were in attendance, including TV stars Pamela Anderson, Alesha Dixon and actor Craig McGinlay. Former James Bond actor Pierce Brosnan was another major name to don the red carpet at the stunning Cala di Volpe hotel. The dinner finished with an auction hosted by British entertainment presenter Denise Van Outen to help raise money for women, children and families in need around the world.

Other celebrity guests who took part in the fun-filled golf event at Pevero Golf Club were Bayern Munich legend Hasan “Brazzo” Salihamizic and Scotland rugby stars Max and Thom Evans. Sandrine Testud, the former French tennis star, British comedian Dom Joly and TV and radio personality Jamie Theakston completed a star-studded line-up.

Queen Elizabeth attends Polo game Cartier Queen’s Cup 2017

RH Polo beat La Indiana in a thrilling match at the Cartier Queen’s Cup on Sunday 18th June 2017 in one of the most glamorous and regal event in polo sports

The biggest names in the sport of polo were in action on the Queen’s Ground at Guards Polo Club, Windsor Great Park in a bid to win the prestigious Cartier Queen’s Cup 2017.

One of the most prestigious and renowned events of the British sporting calendar, hosted by Laurent Feniou, Managing Director Cartier Ltd, watched alongside a strong crowd of polo aficionados and illustrious guests, was played. The summit of the day was the exhilarating play for the Queen’s Cup between Ben Soleimani’s RH Polo and Michael Bickford’s La Indiana.

RH Polo, featuring the World’s Number One Player, Adolfo Cambiaso, who was looking for his 10th Queen’s Cup victory, started strongly and were 6-3 ahead at half-time. Although it was Cambiaso’s team-mate, 21-year- old Tommy Beresford, later named the Cartier Most Valuable Player, who stood out in this game, playing with a maturity well beyond his years and handicap. La Indiana were equally competitive, but failed to convert some beautiful play into goals. That changed in the second half, with Agustin Merlos and Nic Roldan scoring five goals in as many minutes, giving La Indiana the lead for the first time. But the argentinian player Cambiaso, who has been inspired in this year’s tournament playing for a new patron, kept his cool as the clock counted down and fired through the winning shot as the bell rang out to mark the end of the match. One of Cambiaso’s impressive string of ponies, Caraquenia, was later named Cartier Best Playing Pony.

“The Polo players’ passion and commitment are very akin to the values of Cartier. Our Maison is proud to celebrate this distinctive relationship with polo and the legacy built up over 30 years” Laurent Feniou, Managing Director of Cartier UK.

Cartier has a long-standing tradition of supporting polo for over 30 years and is delighted to continue its involvement in the prestigious high-goal Queen’s Cup tournament. To mirror the impressive talent on the field, Cartier invited guests from the worlds of stage, screen, sport, society, and literature into the Cartier enclosure, welcoming them to the elegant reception, serving Cartier champagne and a lunch created by Cellar Society.

Guests of Note: Lara Stone, Caroline Winberg, Jessica Hart, Lily Cole,
Mark Ronson Skepta, Candice Lake, Nicholas Kirkwood, Marcus Wareing, Lady Kitty Spencer, Katie Keight, Lady Alice & Lady Violet, Miss Manners, Genevieve Gaunt, Tori Cook, Hugo Heathcote, Jilly Copper, Malcolm Borwick, Eduardo Novillo Astrada, Facundo Pieres.

Guests started with Goat’s Curd with Wiltshire Black Truffle, Zucchini Flower Beignets, Regent’s Park Truffle Honey followed by Roast Fillet of Hereford Beef, Chargrilled Summer Vegetables, Minted Peas & Anya Potatoes and finished on a sweet note with Hedgerow Berry Pavlova, Whipped Jersey Cream and Fresh Mint.

The enclosure was transformed into a quintessentially colorful ‘English Garden’ with beautiful floral creations; with shades of soft lilac Sweet peas and Aliums, Blue Delphiniums and Clematis, Soft and hot pinks Roses and over 1000 Peonies with a thread of pale green Thyme and Hydrangea throughout.

The afternoon finished with DJ Hugo Heathcote, accompanied with unique performances by saxophonist Ben Barnett and percussionist Tom Carr, followed by internationally renowned DJ Mark Ronson.

Cartier first sponsored the International Day in 1984 and since then, the Cartier International Day became the largest and most prestigious polo spectator event in the world, attracting over 25,000 people in Windsor Great Park at Guards Polo Club.

It was for 28 years that Cartier sponsored the International Polo day at Guards Polo Club before deciding to sponsor the Queen’s Cup, one of the world’s leading polo tournaments. With the best polo players in the world participating, it is a highlight for the sport’s elite and spectators alike. Past players have included HRH Prince Philip, who played in the final and HRH Prince Charles who won the trophy. HM The Queen first presented her cup to Guards Polo Club in 1960 and historically attends Finals Day .

From Cartier’s first ever sponsorship with the International Day at Guards, to the Cartier Queen’s Cup polo, guests have included royalty, celebrities, the respected polo community and many more. Cartier polo events have seen some of the world’s most famous faces such as the Royal Family, Angelina Jolie, Pierce Brosnan, Keira Knightley, Sharon Stone and Emma Watson to name a few.

Cartier and polo’s long standing rapport has resulted in something truly iconic and it is a relationship that Cartier is honored to uphold for years to come.

(Photos Courtesy Cartier)

“Pitbull” Armando Perez, Special Award Recipient first-ever Global Ambassador Award

A surprise congratulatory video from President Barack Obama in recognition of Shawn “JAY Z”

The 2017 Songwriters Hall of Fame 48th Annual Induction and Awards Dinner was a sparkling success, as SHOF President/CEO Linda Moran and co-chairs, Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff recognized and celebrated some of the best songwriting legends of our time. Last night, musical titans Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, Berry Gordy, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Robert Lamm & James Pankow p/k/a “Chicago,” Max Martin, and Shawn “JAY Z” Carter were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Honored with special awards were Alan Menken with the prestigious Johnny Mercer Award; Ed Sheeran with the Hal David Starlight Award; Pitbull with the first-ever Global Ambassador Award and Caroline Bienstock with the Abe Oleman Publisher Award.

The evening kicked off with Jon Bon Jovi performing an acoustic version of his hit, “It’s My Life” before inducting the song’s writer Max Martin, whom he called a “genius.”

Cassandra Wilson performed an electrifying rendition of Peggy Lee’s “Fever” before Songwriters Hall of Fame co-chairmen, Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff honored Caroline Bienstock with the Abe Oleman Publisher Award.

Whoopi Goldberg took to the stage to present Alan Menken with the highest honor bestowed by the Songwriters Hall of Fame, the Johnny Mercer Award. After accepting his award he sat at the piano for a beautiful medley of his classic scores including “Under The Sea,” “A Whole New World,” “Beauty and the Beast” and more, which had the audience clapping and singing along.

Presenter Train’s Pat Monahan introduced inductees James Pankow & Robert Lamm p/k/a Chicago before performing their hit “Just You And Me” with Pankow on trombone. Prior to their induction, Lamm joined Pankow for their classic song “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is,” before proclaiming how humbled they are to be in the company of the “greatest songwriters in modern history.”

Johnny Gill brought the audience to its feet with a captivating rendition of “My, My, My” written by inductee Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, who was inducted by Irving Azoff.

Following his induction, Edmonds stated “what a blessing it is to do something [he loves]” and what an honor it is to stand in front of his heroes.

The evening continued as past recipient, Benny Blanco took to the stage to honor friend, Ed Sheeran with the Hal David Starlight Award, which is presented to young songwriters who are making a significant impact in the music industry with their original songs. Blanco called Sheeran “one of the greatest live performers he’s ever seen.” After a heartfelt and comical acceptance speech, Sheeran performed “Castle On The Hill.”

Rhonda Ross Kendrick surprised her father and performed a soulful rendition of “To Be Loved” before welcoming music titan Berry Gordy whom she called a “guiding force,” into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Usher performed an exhilarating medley of “Gigolos Get Lonely Too,” “Tender Love,” “Let’s Wait Awhile” and more before inducting the song’s writers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis who accepted their award before performing “Human” and “Optimistic.”

A surprise congratulatory video from President Barack Obama in recognition of Shawn “JAY Z” Carter becoming the first-ever rapper to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame shocked the audience. Highlights from throughout the inductee’s career played before Jon Platt, CEO of Warner/ Chappell accepted the award on JAY Z’s behalf.

“Pitbull” Armando Perez

The celebratory evening came to a close as actor, John Leguizamo presented Pitbull, whom he called a “true international superstar,” with the first-ever Global Ambassador Award, created to celebrate a songwriter-artist whose music has true worldwide appeal, crossing genre, cultural and national boundaries. The Cuban-American singer Pitbull, full of gratitude, spoke about the struggles and sacrifices that made him who he is today and said “our music is not only powerful, it’s the universal language.” He then went on to perform a high-energy medley of “Fireball, “Don’t Stop the Party,” “Give Me Everything,” and “Remix,” that had the audience dancing.

Inductees: Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, Berry Gordy, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Robert Lamm & James Pankow p/k/a “Chicago,” Max Martin, and Shawn “JAY Z” Carter

Special Award Recipients: Caroline Bienstock, Alan Menken, Pitbull, Ed Sheeran

Presenters/Performers: Irving Azoff, Benny Blanco, Jon Bon Jovi, Kenneth Gamble & Leon Huff, Johnny Gill, Whoopi Goldberg, John Leguizamo, Pat Monahan, Usher and Cassandra Wilson

Illumination, who brought audiences Despicable Me and the biggest animated hits of 2013 and 2015, Despicable Me 2 and Minions, continues the adventures of Gru, Lucy, their adorable daughters, Margo, Edith and Agnes, and the Minions in Despicable Me 3. Directed by Pierre Coffin and Kyle Balda, co-directed by Eric Guillon and written by Cinco Paul & Ken Daurio, the animated film is produced by Illumination’s Chris Meledandri and Janet Healy, and executive produced by Chris Renaud.

Joining Steve Carell and Kristen Wiig in Despicable Me 3 is Emmy, Tony and Grammy Award winner Trey Parker. Parker voices the role of villain Balthazar Bratt, a former child star who’s grown up to become obsessed with the character he played in the ’80s, and proves to be Gru’s most formidable nemesis to date. The film will be released in theaters on June 30, 2017. Illumination’s lms have become a worldwide phenomenon. Across the globe, Despicable Me has permeated the zeitgeist, with the Minions alone having an astonishing 95-percent awareness. Populated with characters that are distinctive, comedic and authentic, the studio’s $4.7-billion-grossing movies, including two of the top six animated ones of all time, captivate audiences of all ages and cultures.

After he is red from the Anti-Villain League for failing to take down the latest bad guy to threaten humanity, Gru finds himself in the midst of a major identity crisis. But when a mysterious stranger shows up to inform Gru that he has a long-lost twin brother—a brother who desperately wishes to follow in his twin’s despicable footsteps—one former super-villain will rediscover just how good it feels to be bad.

The Story

Despicable Me introduced global audiences to super-villain Gru and his mischievous Minions. After becoming a father to orphans Margo, Edith and Agnes, initially as part of an evil scheme to steal the moon, Gru ultimately gave up his life of crime and turned from Super Bad to Super Dad.

In Despicable Me 2, Gru was recruited by the Anti-Villain League (AVL) to put his skills as a former villain to use and brought the worst of the worst to justice. Never thinking romance was in the cards, Gru wound up falling hard for his super-spy partner, Lucy. To the delight of his daughters—who had always wanted a mom—he ultimately asked Lucy to marry him.

In Minions we learned the origins of the lovable, yellow creatures and saw how Kevin, Stuart and Bob’s comedically misguided quest for an evil leader ultimately led them to team up with a young Gru. The mischievous trio will return for Minions 2 in July 2020.

This summer, in Despicable Me 3, Gru and his new wife, Lucy, are unable to take down the latest villain to threaten humanity—an ’80s-fixated former child TV star named Balthazar Bratt who was abruptly fired in that decade and is now obsessed with revenge on Hollywood. As a result, they are humiliated and fired by the new boss of theAVL.

The Minions hope Gru will use this opportunity to return to a life of crime, but when Gru makes it clear that he’s retired from villainy, the Minions quit and head out on their own. Minion Mel, who led the strike against Gru, emerges as their new leader…of sorts.

Initially excited about the prospect of having a brother, Gru takes Lucy and the girls to his father’s homeland of Freedonia to meet his twin…only to find that Dru is seemingly better than him in every way. While Gru is bald, misanthropic and newly unemployed, Dru has a gorgeous, full head of hair, is effortlessly charming and has inherited their father’s large fortune and pig farm.

Gru is quickly overwhelmed by a feeling of inferiority, but it isn’t long before Dru reveals he has a secret desire of his own: to follow in their father’s footsteps and become a world- class villain. Dru confesses that since his dad never believed in him, he lacks any basic villain training and needs Gru’s help and knowledge to achieve his lifelong dream and carry on their family legacy.

Once Gru realizes he can partner with his brother and use their dad’s highly sophisticated, villainous gadgets to finally take down the elusive Balthazar Bratt, he agrees to form an alliance with his twin. But when that alliance is seriously tested by a delayed case of sibling rivalry, the brothers quickly find themselves in way over their heads, as Bratt proves to be Gru’s most challenging nemesis yet.