Star Wars Day 2026: Celebrate May the 4th with Iconic Heroes and a Special Video

Happy Star Wars Day 2026! Every 4 May, fans around the world celebrate the galaxy far, far away made famous by Lucasfilm. From Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader to Princess Leia, Han Solo and Yoda, the saga continues to inspire generations.

To mark Star Wars Day, take a look at this special video from El Archivista de la Fuerza (translated as The Archivist of the Force), exploring the legacy of the Force and its heroes.  I think that this has every major Star Wars character ever in it at one point or another – and it’s beautifully put together.  So, join the celebration, share your favourite moments, and may the Force be with you - always.

100 Crimes and a Pint Too Many: The Tragicomic Life of Birmingham’s Charles Paige

I came across this video a few months ago, and didn’t get around to featuring it but it stuck in my mind. Or, rather, the story of Charles Paige did.  He was well-known in and around Birmingham (the one in the UK, not the one in Alabama) for being something of a nuisance around the pubs of England’s second city. It's a tale both comedic in parts but ultimately deeply tragic - but for some reason my mind kept wandering back to the life of this hapless, hopeless, half-cut huckster - Mr Charles Paige.

The story is brought to life by yourfamilyline, a YouTube channel with an associated website, dedicated to  “telling the stories of forgotten lives, and bringing their voices back into the light through detailed research and digital storytelling”.  It looks like it’s a one man show, which makes it all the more impressive and has a growing number of subscribers. (The picture used at the top of this post is an AI rendition of Charles Paige and not affiliated with yourfamilyline).

Paige was an inveterate alcoholic and well-known to the police. In fact, over the decades spanning the late 1890s to the early 1920s, Paige was convicted numerous times, and reached his “century” (his 100^th offence) towards the end of his criminal career.  The constabulary at local police stations must have rolled their eyes each time he rolled in…

No personal record was left by Charles Paige, which is a shame as we get one side of the story – that left behind in court and newspaper archival material.  He was infamous for his confidence tricks – posing as someone who might wish to purchase a large amount of alcohol from a pub (you could do that, then) and asking for free tasters to ascertain what he should buy.  That sounds like a good trick and many landlords (who are certainly not known for their gullibility) fell for it, which shows that he had a certain knack – he was able to present himself in a way that persuaded people that his requests were legitimate. Some say that his ghost haunts the pubs and canalsides of Birmingham to this day.

There are many comedic elements in Charles Paige’s story, but also an underlining and profound sadness. After all, it is a story of alcoholism, a chronic, relapsing brain disease – an oh boy, did Paige relapse. Although it seems he spent time getting help in “certified inebriate reformatories” this leopard did not change its spots.  Handled correctly, I think Paige’s story could be the basis of a very good British comedy-drama.  I'm already casting in my mind - perhaps Toby Jones, Reece Shearsmith or Mark Rylance? No, if I was the casting director, the job would go to Steve Pemberton.  I’m now blathering on – have a watch of the story of Charles Paige and make your own judgement about him – after all, he was quite used to other people doing that…

The Milky Way – Facts About Our Galaxy You Never Thought You Needed to Know

The ancient Greeks were the first to realise that we were just a tiny part of something much, much larger and they called it The Milky Circle.  After something of a rebrand, we now know it as The Milky Way.  At its center (which is also known as The Bulge) is a supermassive black hold, and that’s why the galaxy is like a spiral.  We are 30,000 light years (give or take) away from the center… but did you know that the supermassive black hole has a name? It’s Sagittarius A* (like it’s achieved a very high grade in an exam). 

You can find out a host of other interesting facts about our galaxy (and a couple of our next door neighbors) by watching this fascinating animated short by the Greenwich Royal Observatory.  Although I suspect it is aimed mostly for kids, I do like it when science is explained in a fairly simple way, because that way I can just about keep up!

Watch the video below.

The West Hood Story (WESTHOODSTORY) – A Dance Film by Shay Latukolan

Dutch choreographer and dancer Shay Latukolan has taken Spanish Grease by Willie Bobo and created The West Hood Story (it seems to be listed as WESTHOODSTORY even though the film's title sequence splits up the words), which must be one of the best dance films - if not the best - created so far this year.  From the get go, it is obvious that a lot of time, energy and love has been ploughed into its creation and it hits the nail right on the metaphorical head.  I think if Willie Bobo was still alive, he would absolutely adore this interpretation of his classic 1965 number.

The story is simple and straightforward (I’m tempted to say it's a tale as old as time, but that’s really a universe away).  A beautiful young woman makes something of a grand entrance to a dance hall and immediately turns the heads of all the young men in the place, causing just a little antagonism between them as they compete to catch her eye and win her heart.  Their attempts all fail, but her choice of Maxi, the local nerd, ultimately spurs them on to continue their hunt for some loving back in the dance hall.  This may sound like a lot to fit into a five minute dance film, but Shay pulls it all together brilliantly, using some fantastic choreographic shorthand to tell the story and we’re left feeling almost as if we’ve just watched an entire movie in balletic fast-forward.

As Bobo’s most famous track, Spanish Grease was the perfect choice for this dance film.  It’s a key example of 1960s Latin jazz crossover into pop and soul and is generally considered way, way ahead of its time.  And although the video pays homage to those times, in wardrobe and atmosphere (with plenty of West Side Story nods), as well as the music, of course, this comes across as something very modern, very 2026.  I’m not sure where this was filmed, although I suspect London because of the accents of some of the dancers in the spoken-word elements of the film, but the only thing that struck me as missing was the smoke that would have filled a dance hall like this in the 1960s.  To our modern noses, it would have royally stunk – but there is atmosphere aplenty here without it.  I think one of the film's greatest strengths is how so many of the dancers come off as well-formed characters – an incredibly hard thing to do in five minutes.

The comments about WESTHOODSTORY are effusive to say the least.  One says “Simply incredible choreo, direction, and execution as always! Shay your work belongs in a full-length feature on The West End and Broadway!” which, you know, cannot be disagreed with. Another uses hardly any adjectives at all; it just says “The style, swag, vibe, tone, choreography, and creative direction”.  Yet another says: “I’ve watched this piece 7 times already back to back! I doubt it’ll be my last one”. Yes to all.  And thank you Shay Latukolan and team for bringing this superb piece of art to the world and giving Spanish Grease the video it has needed for 61 years!  Watch it below (as many times as you want).

Farewell – An Animated Short by Luke Lee

As we grow up, there are always decisions to be made about our future direction – and some of them are not without their own fair share of pain, even though they are the right decisions and our hearts and heads must be followed.  Often, these decisions involve leaving others behind, however metaphorically, and this can often be difficult to accept, producing bewilderment, sorrow, even anger.  At times like these the mix of emotions often seem unbearable… but still the decision must be made and it is time to leave.

This remarkable animated short by Luke Lee (aka binsoo) tells such a tale.  A pair of brothers with a close bond enjoy a pastoral life, looking after a huge flock of very knowing sheep.  Yet the age gap between them means that one reaches young adulthood first and makes the decision to take his musical skills to a wider audience – the ewes and their lambs are appreciative but he needs more. And so, the difficult decision is reached, and the younger brother will be inevitably left behind.  Yet the older sibling leaves him a gift…

I don’t want to give to much away here, as it’s up to you to watch Farewell and take away from it what you will.  As one of the commenters says “That was an entire Studio Ghibli movie in 7 minutes, impressive” – and yes, there are influences on display. However, Farewell is very much its own story told in its own style.  It is Lee’s final piece from his time at Calarts, and I hope that having made so much of his time at the prestigious Californian seat of higher learning, that he enjoys a long and productive career in the visual arts.  Watch Farewell below.

Blinded by the Flag – New Banksy Statue in Central London

A new work of art by Banksy appeared overnight (29 April) in London’s Waterloo Place.  It depicts a man marching, his chest pumped in patriotic pride, holding his nation’s flag aloft.  Unfortunately for him, the flag has blinded him, swathing itself around his head so that he has no idea in which direction he is marching.  As luck wouldn’t have it, he is marching proudly towards an abyss (or in this case off the plinth).  It’s a strikingly simple visual metaphor, but one with great premonitory depth. Image

As ever with Banksy, the work of art arrived without  notification or fanfare – although he has now confirmed on Instagram that he created it.   It is situated in Waterloo Place, in the St James are of the borough of Westminster.  The location is craftily chosen for such an anti-imperialist piece, as Waterloo Place is littered with statues commemorating Britain’s past habit of stepping foot into countries without invitation.  You do not have to walk far to encounter statues of Florence Nightingale (and the Crimean War Memorial) as well as one of Edward VII.  The artist, who remains anonymous not just because that’s how it has always been but because he has been the target of threatening extremist behaviour, obviously thought long and hard about where to place the statue.

The statue in gold you can see behind Banksy's piece is one of Athena (also known as Minerva), the goddess of both wisdom and war.  She seems, almost, to be greeting the new statue - to acknowledge, perhaps, the inherent contradiction of wisdom and war.

We Were Here Once – A Letter to the Ones Beyond the Stars

Voyager 1 and 2 each carried a Golden Record, a disc which carried sounds, images, music and greetings from our planet to anyone or anything that might come across the spacecraft as they travel through interstellar space.  Yet what would you write if you were to send your own missive to the ones beyond the stars?  This deeply thought-provoking short film by Véras Fawaz focuses on an elderly gentleman, approaching death with quiet dignity, who is about to send his final message. 

As well as being a beautiful piece of film-making, with the visual richness of a full-length movie, the message that the old man sends into space is something very special.  Shaped by the awareness of his own mortality, as well as that of those he loves and loved, the letter presents us as fragile, yet driven and very, very, well, human. It confronts issues that are very twenty-first century – how we fill our lives with stories and screens to cope with fear, even though that might make us feel more disconnected than ever.  The old man identifies love as the defining human force, on which is quiet, enduring and found in moments both ordinary and extraordinary.  It sends to the stars a simple message – that humans feel, fear and love.  And even as we edge towards death, we still hope to connect. 

Watch We Were Here Once below.

GENER8ION - Storm starring Yung Lean – A Visceral Dance Performance

Set in Leeds in 2034, GENER8ION’s new video for Storm, with Swedish rapper, singer, and songwriter Yung Lean taking the lead, is something very, very different. It is immediately reminiscent of “If…” the 1968 satirical drama set in a strict boys’ boarding school where the students rebel and things escalate into chaos.  I’m not sure if that is where the inspiration for this video came from, but I was also reminded of the character of Mondain, the older, aggressive student who arrives partway through 2002’s Les Choristes and proceeds to terrorise the school.  Lean plays one such student, who rules the school through a combination of sheer thuggery and menacing charm. Throw a little single-sex Battle Royale and a slice of Lord of the Flies into the mix and you get Storm. As you might expect, the video is brimming with testosterone and hats off to these boys - they don’t hold back.

Remember, though: chaos almost always has a still center. Like the eye of a hurricane.

In case you haven’t come across GENER8ION before, it is the stage name of Surkin, a French electronic music producer. He uses the GENER8ION name for a more experimental, audio-visual project that blends electronic music with striking visuals and film-style storytelling. One of the best-known works under this name is the track The New International Sound (Part II), which has a powerful, cinematic feel and a famous video set in a Chinese martial arts school.  I have a feeling that this video is going to become equally as (in)famous.  The first part comes across, as I have said, like “If…” on acid.

Yet it is the second part of this music video that makes it so special, extraordinary even.  It's the end of the academic year - the end of school for these particular reprobates! The boys line up for a school photo, with Lean at its heart and then they dance.  Finally they dance. And oh boy, do they dance. The choreography by Damien Jalet is superb, and the whole ensemble is directed with great panache by Romain Gavras.  One of the commenters on YouTube said “AI – good luck trying to do something like this”.  Well, that’s because this isn’t just a very clever music video that contains a bit of dancing.  This is art.  Another commenter said “Easily one of the best music videos I’ve ever seen. And I’m old.”  I agree.  This is phenomenal.

So, what is the fuss all about? Watch the video below.

 

Apocalypse Dog

This animated short is a blast from start to finish… it could easily form the basis of an excellent video game.  It tells the story of Bob and Pasha (the apocalypse dog of the title), who go about their business scavenging a living, with everything they own tottering and teetering on top of their rusty, dilapidated old car.  Bob does, frankly, look a little too well-fed for someone living after the end of the world as we know it, but perhaps the wasteland is full of calories as well as dangers.  His companion Pasha, who I think might be a miniature Doberman (definitely as wilful as some I have met!), is the more gregarious of the two – and it is his inclination to go in search of the source of a tantalising aroma that causes a rift in their relationship… and exposes both to great danger.

Told at breakneck speed, Apocalypse Dog successfully uses a number of cunning structural devices to tell its story - right up to the end - as well as changes in animation style.  It’s a fantastic piece of animation from a group of students at Rubika (in Valenciennes, France) which would be great as a supporting feature at the movies.  I particularly like the facial expressions that both Bob and Pasha use to communicate their thoughts and feelings.  All told, this is an animated short brimming with vitality and humour.  It is quite amazing to think that this is an undergraduate project,  given the high quality of both the animation and storyline.

Apocalypse Dog was directed by Aziliz Le Clainche, Camille Nasarre, Jing Qian, Juliette Barraux, Emma Plumey, Lucile Arnaud and Solène Cauchie. The music was composed by Cyrille Marchesseau, with sound design by Valentin Petiteau, and features voice work from Michel Elias (shout out here – great emotional communication using little more than grunts!).

What Happens When Phosphorus Runs Out?

Phosphorus is underestimated.  We don’t talk about it enough - so here are some very cool facts about phosphorus.  It is a finite resource and there is no point looking for it elsewhere as it is very rare in the universe (not all stars create it and that’s why, some say, that alien life is proving elusive).  Phosphorus is the “unsung hero” in all life itself – it’s even in our DNA.  We get it from the food we eat, and the plants get it from the soil – it’s a cycle – but one which we managed to inhibit once we started living in cities and developed sanitation.  

Many scientists believe that we are going to run out of it this century.  It’s a crisis that will happen but what will we do about it?  Find out much more about this fascinating element than you probably ever wanted to, what happened when we discovered it and what the future might like without it in this fascinating short by BBC Earth Science.

Ducks: Cute, Clever… and Slightly Unhinged

I do love a cautionary tale about ducks. And, as luck would have it, this very funny animated short has just come up on my radar.  A number of people, looking for a little recreation, visit their local park. They hope, of course, to do the normal “parky” things, stroll around, take in the scenery, feed the ducks a little bread – that kind of thing.  Something of a shock waits in store for them – some of the local ducks have worryingly changed…

The animated short – entitled “Ducks” (well it would be, wouldn’t it?), is self-funded, and written, directed, designed and animated by one person - AJ Jefferies.  Music and sound design is by Megalithic Sound.  It was very well received on the festival circuit, reaping a number of awards. This includes the audience choice award at the Sweaty Eyeballs International Shorts Competition and it won the Best Short Film for Children award at the Kuki Festival in Berlin.  As Kuriositas is, after all, a place for grow-up children who want to keep learning, it’s quite fitting and appropriate that we feature it here.  Watch “Ducks” below…

Bird’s Nest Fungi: Tiny Nests, Big Trick

Bird’s Nest Fungi are tiny – not much bigger than a fingernail.  Yet if noticed, they are rarely forgotten as they appear like eggs, laid somewhat haphazardly in a nest by what would most definitely be the smallest, klutziest bird in the world.  

As a cosmopolitan species – in other words one which is found across most parts of the world – you would probably not have to go far from your house in order to find them either. If you have a garden, they may even already be there waiting for you to discover them. Image

Image Credit

As long as you live close to somewhere that plant matter is breaking down – rotting wood, fallen logs, woodland floors, bark mulch, woodchip beds, compost heaps or even rich soil – you will likely find bird’s nest fungi.  That’s because it is a saprobic family of species; they thrive where organic material is decomposing, feeding on the nutrients released as plant matter breaks down into simpler compounds. 

Altogether, there are roughly 60–70 described bird's nest species (so you will see a variety here), though the exact number shifts a little depending on how mycologists classify and split them - fungal taxonomy is still being refined with genetic data.  To give you a better idea of their size, here are some examples next to coins.

S.O.U.R.C.E. - Water Wars on Alien Worlds: The Final Mecha Duel for Humanity’s Last Oasis

In the far future, water has become scarce in the universe, leading inevitably to war.  On the planet Airon, a unit of mechas of the intergalactic corporation S.O.U.R.C.E. has been assigned to take over the last oasis, but met fierce resistance.  Finally, there are only two left – and this is their last battle. Whoever wins will gain the only remaining pure source of water in the galaxy…

This animated short by a group of ESMA students is, effectively, one long battle sequence and as such shows off their animation skills with panache. It’s breath-taking, non-stop and ingenious.  Yet there is also a poignant story at the heart of all this sound and fury, which you only appreciate right at the end.  Hats off to these students for telling this story – a visual metaphor for how our own planet is going frankly!

The short was directed by Alexandre André, Louis Bonnaud, Adrien Gouloubi, Mathieu Hebrard, Pierre Lopez, Anton Markov, Evana Mingsisouphanh, Maxence Porelli, and Ludovic Vacher with music by Seiji Champollion. Sound was by Guilhem Favard, José Vicente and Yoann Poncet with the voices provided by José Vicente.

Bette Midler Sings Woody Guthrie’s All You Fascists (Bound to Lose) with a Stellar Supporting Cast

Bette Midler may be 80, but she can still belt out a good number.  There are few better (or timelier) than Woody Guthrie’s All You Fascists (Bound to Lose).  The lyrics have been updated a little (with permission from Guthrie’s family) and is an exhortation to voters to get to the polls and vote.  It’s definitely a toe-tapper and Midler delivers it with her usual gusto.  Not only that, it has a stellar supporting cast of backing singers, too.

You may be able to spot one or more of the following… Barbara Hershey (co-starred with Bette Midler in Beaches), David Hyde Pierce (appeared with Bette Midler in Down and Out in Beverly Hills), Brian Hargrove (married to David Hyde Pierce, linking him to Bette Midler), Shoshana Bean (Wicked), Marisha Wallace (Dreamgirls), Jennifer Lewis (The Preacher’s Wife), Christian Dante White (Ain’t Too Proud), Sara Edwards Butler (Sister Act), Ari Butler (Les Misérables), Matthew Mucha (Save Rock and Roll), Jaime Bartolett (The Phantom of the Opera), Aron Kaburick (Jersey Boys), Amanda LaMotte (Wicked), Elaine Caswell (Cats), Kristen Beth Williams (Wicked), James Ludwig (Law & Order), Cayden Smaka (The Voice), Corban Belle (Hamilton),  and finally Don’Tae Mitchell (Dreamgirls).  Phew – that’s quite a cast.

Guthrie himself wrote the song in the early 1940s as a response to the fascist threat of Hitler, Mussolini and the likes.  Midler, who is concerned about the way that politics is going in her own home country, has sent out this message to her fans: “I hope you'll sing it when you are marching. Because sometimes people, sometimes you just gotta SING OUT!”.  Indeed.  Take a look at the video below.

How Fast Did Teen Gossip Spread Before Social Media? This 1963 Musical Number has the Answer

Want to spread gossip? Then tell a teen. The very worst age group with which to share a secret – or even something you don’t want spread about – is to spill the beans to a teenager. These days, emails, text messages, social media and apps of varying degree of iniquity – all combine to ensure that when Kim and Hugo get together, and Kim texts Kathy to tell her – that the entire world will know within approximately thirty seconds.  It may seem like a modern phenomenon, but it is only the methods of communication that have changed.  And this clip from 1963 proves it more than adequately but with a lot of charm.

Back then, it was all about the spoken word but way, way more importantly, it was about the telephone.  I used to continually astonish my parents that after seeing my friends all day in school, I would find the need (let alone the things to say) to phone them in the evening.  Not for a few minutes, of course. We would natter on about pretty much anything and everything, anyone and everyone, until I was told (in no uncertain terms) to put the phone down (usually by my mother who wanted to do some nattering of her own.

This clip from the 1963 movie Bye Bye Birdie shows us the teenage Pony Express at full throttle.  When Kim McAfee (Ann-Margret) is “pinned” by Hugo Peabody (Bobby Rydell) – an American teenage tradition where a boy gives his girlfriend his school pin to show they’re officially a couple - the news spreads at lightning speed. The neighbourhood telephone chain erupts, with calls, gossip, and teenage hysteria bouncing from house to house in minutes. It all unfolds in one of the most energetic and memorable musical sequences directed by George Sidney.  It’s something of a joy to behold. Watch it below.

The Fallen Angel: The Shocking Painting of the Devil that Nearly Destroyed a 24-Year-Old Genius

Painted almost 180 years ago in 1847, The Fallen Angel, created by Alexandre Cabanel when he was just 24 years old, still has the power to engage, to captivate, to horrify – you name the emotion, people will experience it when they see this painting for the first time.  When I first saw it in my teenage years, I was amazed that Cabanel got away with something so daring, so risqué, so controversial at such a young age.  The truth is – he didn’t get away with it.  Like the Lucifer of Liege, which we covered several years ago, the story of both Cabanel and his painting of the devil is a little more complex.

The picture could have been career-ending for a young artist at this particular point of time.  Cabanel was not expected to take on such challenging subjects at such a young age – and not only that, he presents Satan as an astonishingly beautiful young man.  The painting’s reception was scathing, something which (rightly) incensed the young painter.  I will leave the bulk of the story to the great video by Inspiraggio (great name for a YouTube channel) below, but I’m happy to say that Cabanel went on to a long and illustrious career – his most praised work, ironically, would be the Death of Moses, painted in 1851.

Like Cabanel, The Fallen Angel we see here is down but certainly not out.  The eyes are perhaps the most remarkable part of the composition.  Look at them – is it anger, resentment, regret, or hatred we can see?  Ultimately, it’s up to you. However, this painting has had a host of earthly admirers and detractors in its long history.  If you are a science-fiction fan, you may look at the expression in the eyes, the way that the arms are held, and wonder where you have seen that before.  It is believed that George Lucas was inspired by the painting when filming the final showdown between Anakin Skywalker and his old Jedi master, Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith.

How true or not this is, I cannot say, not having a direct line to Mr Lucas.  However, for this history of The Fallen Angel and its reception, take a look at the fascinating video below.

The Stained Group

If you fancy an extended visual metaphor, you’ve come to the right place.  This heartfelt and very touching animated short tells the story of Finn, a young boy who has stains on his skin.  He has met up with a trio of other kids that have similar stains, and together they form a community – one which helps them put up with the prejudice they encounter about their condition every day.  I guess that doesn’t sound too cheerful – and it isn’t – but I was left at the end with a sense of optimism. 

This animated short was created by a group of students at Rubika.  It has taken quite a while for this to make it onto the schools YouTube channel, but it won the prestigious "Jury's Choice" award at SIGGRAPH 2019.  The Stained Group was created by a talented bunch of students – directed by Mélanie Lopez, Chan Stéphie Peang, Alice Jaunet, Simon Boucly, Marie Ciesielski, and Béatrice Viguier.  Music is by Valentin Lafort and sound design by Henri Petitprez and Kamal Ouazène.  Watch The Stained Group below – and I am pretty sure you will know why I love this animated short so much by the time you get to the end!

The Most Popular Card Games for Solo Play and Social Gatherings

Image Credit

Card games remain one of the most adaptable forms of play. A single deck can support quiet solo sessions or lively social gatherings without requiring a complex setup. For players, the appeal lies in variety. Some games offer structure and focus, while others encourage interaction and quick thinking.

This article explores five popular card games that work well across different settings. Each section focuses on one game, with clear details to help players understand how and when to play it.

Solitaire for Focused Solo Play

Solitaire stands as the most recognized solo card game. It’s designed for one player and emphasizes sequencing, planning, and attention to detail. The most common version is Klondike, where players build foundation piles in ascending order by suit.

The gameplay begins with a tableau of cards arranged in columns. Players reveal hidden cards while moving them between columns in alternating colors. The goal is to organize all cards into the foundation piles.

Solitaire works well because it allows full control. Players can move at their own pace, restart when needed, and gradually improve their approach. Variations like Spider and FreeCell add different levels of complexity, offering new challenges without changing the core idea.

This game suits quiet environments and helps build patience. Over time, players become more efficient at recognizing patterns and planning several moves.

Baccarat for Structured Table Play

Baccarat offers a clear and structured format that appeals to players who prefer simple rules and an orderly pace. The game centers on comparing two hands, known as the player’s and the banker’s. Because each hand follows fixed drawing rules, the experience feels easy to follow and free from unnecessary complexity.

That simplicity becomes even clearer once players understand how card values work. The aim is to reach a total closest to nine, which gives each round a clean and consistent objective. After a few hands, the rhythm of the game starts to feel natural.

Baccarat’s appeal lies in its structured play, where each round follows a consistent flow. Players who prefer a controlled pace often choose to play baccarat in a casino platform, where the environment mirrors that same steady rhythm.

Each round follows a familiar sequence, which makes it easy to stay engaged without needing to track too many moving parts. The game doesn’t require extensive memorization, yet it maintains interest through its balance and predictable structure.

The Painted Monasteries of Romania

You would reasonably expect a monastery to have frescoes - inside.  Yet a number of monasteries in the Romanian region of Moldavia have centuries old frescoes on the exterior of their katholikon (main church) which have, incredibly, survived the years and the elements.  Perhaps the most famous, which you can see here, is the Voronet Monastery with its bright azurite background – known to Romanians as Voronet blue - but it is not alone in this remarkable tradition.

Image Creditt Flickr User Waqas Ahmed

Who are the Outstanding Ballet Power Couple Duos of Modern Times?

Now, there’s a question and although many will agree on some included on the list that Christina of Facethe Barre has compiled, it may be down to your own particular tastes when you draw up your own!  Christina used to dance for the Estonian National Ballet, so she certainly knows her dancers (and she pronounces their names beautifully and authentically) – she will have studied their moves since she was a child.  So, I think her list is excellent (although she includes just four ballet power couples!).  I would probably included Giorgi Potskhishvili, with his most high-profile stage partnership at the Dutch National Ballet being Anna Tsygankova, but I am a bit of a Giorgi fan.

The four couples that Christina focuses on are Natalia Osipova and Ivan Vasiliev, Ekaterina Maximova and Vladimir Vasiliev, Margot Fonteyn and Rudolf Nureyev, Gelsey Kirkland and Mikhail Baryshnikov.  I particularly like the way that she describes the partnerships, really showing her in-depth understanding and knowledge of why these partnerships are obsessed over by so  many.  Ivan Vasiliev and Natalia Osipova are my favorite choice of hers (we featured Ivan on Kuriositas back in 2011).  Once engaged in real life, their on-stage chemistry was always palpable, especially in their supreme performances in Romeo and Juliet.  Their infamous decision to leave the Bolshoi is also something which Christina covers here.

As for the other couples – so many of these names are well-known outside of ballet circles and if you were asked on the street to name some amazing partnerships in the ballet world, I would expect you to come up with one or two of these!    Take a look at her video below – I must say that I haven’t seen many ballet videos on YouTube that are presented by someone with such an extensive knowledge of the form as Christina.

King's Return Michael Jackson Medley: 34 Hits in a Stunning A Cappella Tribute

There are 34 Michael Jackson hits featured in this medley of his hits by the King's Return a capella group of singers. So, the chances are that your favorite Michael Jackson songs are in here somewhere!  It starts off gently with Human Nature, and transitions from there into so many different Michael Jackson hits that you might have difficulty keeping up with them all as they speed by.  The transitions are pretty amazing – and I would  not like to imagine how long it must have taken to first of all put this together (hats off to whoever did it) not to mention rehearsal time to come up with this pitch-perfect rendition of so many of Jackson’s hits.  The harmonies are incredible.

So, who are King’s Return? They’re a Dallas-based a cappella quartet whose sound feels far bigger than four voices ought to allow. First gaining attention through viral stairwell performances, they’ve built a reputation for rich, soothing harmonies that blend R&B, gospel, jazz and classical influences into something seamless and distinctive. Formed in 2016 and finalised in 2020, the group - Vaughn Faison, Gabe Kunda, JE McKissic and Jamall Williams - quickly found a global audience. Their debut work and viral videos brought critical acclaim, even Grammy recognition, but it’s their warmth, versatility and understated virtuosity that make them truly compelling.  King’s Return created this video in honor of the upcoming Michael Jackson movie starring Jaafar Jackson (Michael’s real-life nephew).

Take it away, gentlemen!

Britain’s Lost Rainforests: How the UK Once Had Lush Forests – and the Plan to Restore Them

When I was a kid, I thought that rainforests were only located in more exotic parts of the world (I grew up in the UK, which can be called many things, but exotic isn’t one of them!).  I associated rainforests with places like Africa, India and even Australia – with huge trees and ferns, and animals like tigers and elephants living in them. It wasn’t till much later that I learned that the UK itself had rainforests – but temperate ones – and that, unfortunately, where they once spread across the land, especially the east coast of the UK (even on the Isle of Man), what was left were just fragments of the grandeur that was, before we came along and pretty much ruined it!

Of course, this degradation panned out over a couple of thousand years, speeding up once the Industrial Revolution too hold of the UK (which may not even have been called that at the time) and it is going to take a hundred years to renew them.  Where once extended rainforests flourished, land was cleared for growing populations and for the food which was needed to sustain them.  This was done methodically but without any particular care and forethought – it was done in response to demand and without any real conservation laws in place, it was open season.  Just look at the wildlands of Scotland – their bareness is so embedded within the Scottish and British psyches that we can easily believe that was how they have always been.  But the Roman name for Scotland was Caledonia, derived from Celtic origins and thought to mean “land of the hard woods”.

But how do we recover our British rainforests?  Over a long period of time is the answer.  Over at least a century.   We can’t just plant trees and walk away – it’s much more complex than this.  So, step forward the Wildlife Trusts, with their ambitious plan to join up many of the remnants of the rainforest on the east coast of the UK (Wales gets a great mention!).  It isn’t going to be ready by next summer, unfortunately, but as smaller programmes that have already started have shown, this kind of venture starts generating jobs and visitors much more quickly than you might imagine - because recovery itself can surprise us all with its speed if it is properly planned and managed.  This beautifully animated video explains the rainforests, how they came to shrink and what is proposed to do about restoring them (or perhaps renewing them) to at least some of their former glory. It’s ambitious – and it’s going to take a century.  Watch the video below.

It doesn't say which animation house created this, but hats off to them - gorgeous work!

Hope-65 – a Chimp Explores the Stars to Find a New Planet for Humanity

In the not too distant future, we reach out beyond our own solar system in search of a new home. To do this, space ships are launched, “manned”  by our closest relative – chimpanzees.  Specially trained, they must ascertain whether or not our exodus may begin, giving us a new home full of natural resources to claim as our own.  One of these chimpanzee explorers is Hope-65, one of a long line of her kind to go into space on our behalf.  She eventually arrives at a planet which fulfils all the necessary criteria to sustain us into the future.  It’s time to let us know, so we can journey to our new home…

This beautifully made animated short was created as a graduation project over a two-year period by students at Ecole Brassart, a French school of the creative professions.  The character animation of Hope-65 herself is expert, belying the fact that this is a student made film.  The new planet is gorgeous - realised with great care and attention - I think anyone might wish to live there!  Although one does have to suspend disbelief around a chimp being allowed to make such a final final decision, that's not too much to ask!

Hope-65 was created by Eliott Curaba, Louis Grand, Nolan Vercasson, Alicia Serra, Mathilde Peis, Evan Mastropietro, Tonin Molina and Léo Soler with music and sound design by Görkem Agar, Eliott Manche-Gentelet, Hugo Bressaud and Ayden Heurtevent.  I think this is probably the first time we have featured something by Brassart students on Kuriositas, and from the quality of this, I very much doubt it will be the last.  A huge congratulations to all the students (and their teachers) involved in this animated short – it really is something to be proud of.

Zas Dance Platform - Nemesis by Benjamin Clementine

You may remember the irrepressible dance film of Stromae’s “Mauvaise Journée” by Zas Dance Platform, featured on Kuriositas last August.  Well, they have delivered another blinder.  This time, it’s an interpretation of Nemesis by Benjamin Clementine.  Directed by Zaslavskyi Yevhenii and Bazela Oleksii (who also dances), the 2014 track, from Clementine’s debut album At Least for Now, is a great choice and complements the ZAS dancers’ elegant urgency perfectly.

Nemesis is one of Benjamin Clementine’s best-known tracks and is emotionally very intense and as such, the backdrop here is dark, the movements exploring the themes of consequence and karma.  The song tells the story of a relationship where the betrayers becomes the betrayed and the Zas trademark jerky movements and a hundred emotions expressed in a few seconds reflects the message of the song – that if we don’t treat people with fairness and integrity, there will always be consequences.  You know what karma is, after all…

A little about ZAS Dance Platform – it is a creative initiative showcasing innovative contemporary dance from emerging and established choreographers. The platform provides a space for artists to experiment, collaborate, and bring new perspectives to the stage, highlighting both technical skill and artistic expression. Through this performance, Bazela and his fellow dancers explore movement and storytelling in a dynamic and engaging way.  As ever, the dancers are also quite pleasing to the eye…

Watch Zas Dance Platform’s interpretation of Nemesis by Benjamin Clementine below.

Yallah! - Animated Short Film

Yallah! is an Arabic term and can mean anything from “Let’s go!” or “Come on!” or “Hurry up!”.  I guess it could be any of the three in the context of this animated short from students at Rubika.  Set in the middle of the Lebanon war of 1982, we meet Nicolas, a man about to flee his virtually destroyed city, Beirut.  However, before too long he encounters Naji, a teenager who lands abruptly on the bonnet of his car. Despite the chaos and destruction of war (or perhaps because of it), he has become determined to go swimming – and the pool is only a few blocks away.  Ignoring Nicolas’ warnings and protestations, Naji is determined to swim – and Nicolas feels the need to try and somehow protect him as he makes his way there.

This is a beautifully made film, and you may find yourself disbelieving that it is a student film, such is its exceptionally high standard of animation. Exploring identity and movement through powerful visual storytelling,  It has a certain lyrical quality to it, despite the backdrop and is much more fun than you might expect, given the time and place in which it is set. Yallah! was directed by Nayla Nassar, Edouard Pitula, Renaud De Saint Albin, Cécile Adant, Anaïs Sassatelli, and Candice Behague. This animated short won "Best Student Project" at SIGGRAPH 2022 (prestigious because it showcases world-leading innovation in computer graphics, judged by experts, and launches careers in film, gaming, and technology). It has only just become available to stream and I’m really pleased to be able to share it with you on Kuriositas.

Jodhpur - India's Blue City

Image Credit Flickr User Johntrathome

Travellers journeying through the desolate landscape of the unforgiving Thar desert in the Indian state of Rajasthan would know when they had reached their destination.  The sky would fall to the ground and everything would become a single color – blue.  Jodhpur would lie before them, opening up like a blue treasure in the desert.

Image Credit Flickr User ciamabue

Why Greenwich Became the Prime Meridian: The Story of Longitude and the Royal Observatory

The historic observatory at Greenwich is now a museum, but how did it get to be the historic Prime Meridian (the zero longitude line that divides the Earth into eastern and western hemispheres for navigation) of the world?  Why a relatively obscure place in South London?  This animated short, created by the Royal Observatory, delves into its history and explains these and other questions getting a little existential – why does it even exist at all? It all boils down to longitude – the measurement of position east or west of the Prime Meridian, used to locate places on Earth accurately - and the need to calculate it using the moon and the stars.  There was a very good reason for this - accurate navigation at sea and preventing ships from getting lost, not to mention speeding up journey time. This depended on knowing precise longitude for safe global trade and travel.

As a quick aside, many people assume that the Royal Observatory in Greenwich is still an active astronomical research site, but this isn’t the case. The Observatory stopped being a working research facility in Greenwich in the mid-20th century, when its scientific work was moved elsewhere in the UK, including to Herstmonceux in Sussex and later into institutions connected with Cambridge. Today, the Greenwich site mainly serves as a museum and public attraction.

Modern UK-based observational astronomy often makes use of large international observatories in places such as the Canary Islands, where conditions are much better for stargazing, but these facilities are not a continuation of the Royal Observatory itself.  Aside over (not as quick as I anticipated), watch the fascinating video below.

Disney Princesses do the Cell Block Tango while the Princes are Fed Up!

Sometimes, weird synchronicity happens.  So, today, I came across this very funny pastiche of Cell Block Tango, starring six of your favorite Disney Princesses.  I suppose it answers any questions I might have once had about what happens to a Disney Princess (or at least these six) after the credits roll and she settles down with her Prince.  Frankly, each one of them did not get the happy ever after that they envisioned – and I must admit that - if the princesses are telling the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth - one or two of the princes might have got what they deserved (best line: “some guys just can’t hold their pufferfish…”). Yet, to put the Beast down simply because he stomps all over the palace… is that fair? After all, it is his palace.  

Regardless of where I stand on the fates of these princes, this very clever and funny parody is brought to us by the super-talented Just Josie.  Take a look at the video below and ask yourself – did he really have it coming? Did he only have himself to blame?

Wait… now we really must hear from the Disney Princes.  Right? Right!

As luck would have it, the very same day my YouTube feed presented me with Charming (starring Jordan Litz who is probably best known for performing in Phantom of the Opera on Broadway and featuring Steven Moeslein and Justin Beard).  Also a delight, this (original) musical number has Prince Charming bemoaning his name (he compares it to a perfume), his habit of losing girls at balls and life in general.  No one bothers to ask him about the war, or taxes - they just want to see him grin and twirl girls around the dancefloor. 

Then add Prince Philip and Prince Florian (best line: "you find a princess that you love and then, you find out there are seven other men") into the mix. They are also pretty cheesed off with the roles that they have in their respective fairy tale stories and you end up with a trio of heirs to the throne who are really quite fed up.  This fantastic musical number was created by Pattycake Productions.  Watch and enjoy below.

So, members of the jury, now all you have to do is choose your side.  Who do you really sympathise with here? Most importantly, who do you believe?  The stories  of infidelity and fishing that the princesses are telling are radically different to the princes' plaintive cries for more of a say in their lives... Or all they all just a bunch of self-entitled whingers?  

Answers on a postcard, but before that a word or two of gratitude to the makers of both videos.  What perverse algorithm led to them both being in my feed,  I know and care not; I am eternally grateful to it.  Both videos were an absolute joy to watch - playful, inventive, and lyrically very, very clever - they had me chuckling from start to finish.  I did end up wondering why it was just the princesses who became homicidal - call me old-fashioned - the guys want to be more than just a charming prince for a girl but they end up as the murder victims of those very (naughty) girls. Yes, they did bad things, yes they cheated. But maybe they just wanted to drive the plot for once?