Sophie Mei

Let’s get Loved up…
February 14th marks St.Valentine’s Day – a day traditionally associated with sending love messages, buying flowers and schmoozing your loved ones. If that is your cup of Yorkshire Tea then why not cosy up together and watch Most Haunted Live at the Lyceum on V-day itself? Or rebel and attend an anti-Valentines party like Cupids in Nooses at The Rude Shipyard on Abbeydale Rd. Or if you’re like me, hide yourself away in work and attend The BIG Valentines fair. You can even get active (no I don’t mean like that) but Aviva’s World Championship takes place from 13th-14th February at English Institute of Sport.
If you’re fed up of all this romantic stuff and you’re a singleton trying to avoid the card shops… Then take a breather from the romantic run and hit the theatre for some spectacular shows and Stomp you way to the Lyceum Theatre from 9th – 13th February – also don’t miss Whistle Down the Wind at the Lyceum Theatre and Sheffield’s unique production of ‘Enemy of the People.’
I am also very excited to announce the Serendipity Photography Competition of the year! The reason for this competition is firstly because my good friend Katy Thompson is celebrating 2 years in the wonderful world of professional photography. The second reason is that Valentine’s Day is not far away and is the most romantic day of the year (for some!!!)
The competition is open to couples of all ages and shapes and sizes who are based in Sheffield or the South Yorkshire region. (You don’t need to be newly engaged or getting married to enter.)
In order to enter couples must give Katy their names, address, email address & phone number and tell Katy what they think is the most romantic location in Sheffield/South Yorkshire and why.
Send your entries to katythomson@serendipityphotography.co.uk.
The winning couple will then win a photo shoot with Katy in that location and get a framed print and coffee table book with a collection of photos in it for them to cherish for ever.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/serendipityphotography/2360462771/

http://www.serendipityphotography.co.uk/

http://www.serendipityphotography.co.uk/blog/

#mce_temp_url#We’re now into our centenary year of the Milennium. And what a century the Noughthies have been! Can you think of your highlights of the Century?

I think mine are – passing 13 GCSE’s and 4 A-Levels plus reaching the semi-finals of Britain’s Got Talent and presenting a programme for ITV Yorkshire on ‘Bellydancing in Egypt.’

2009 has also been a memorable year– with the Credit Crunch reaching a climax, Ryan Giggs winning the title of BBC Sports Personality of the Year and Michael Jackson dying at the young age of 51.

For me personally it has been quite an incredible year. I returned from Italy to set up a business in Entertainment and Media Relations – it is now known as ‘MEI International Ltd’.  I then modelled for a few fashion shows such as, ProSheffield’s event at Sheffield City Hall, a Liverpool show with Gail Porter and I ended up playing the bride in a wedding photoshoot at Wortley Hall.

Amongst walking down catwalks and dancing – Lots of students and I, broke the World Record for the most people simultaneously bellydancing in aid of Comic Relief.  I also held my website launch/21^st Birthday at The Showroom Cinema which saw hundreds of people, including a few local celebrities wine and dine in The Showroom Bar and then watch the documentary I presented on ‘Bellydancing in Egypt.’

The Summer of 2009 was not quiet either as Miles Copeland (Former manager of Sting and Police) and me, judged an international bellydance contest in June. I then travelled to Dubai – I tried out the facilities at the new Atlantis hotel in Palm Jumeirah – I managed to have a dance too!

July was an exciting month for Sheffield too as it played host to the City’s first ‘Music City’ Festival that was curated by famous Sheffield-born Musicians such as, Matt Helders and John McClure. My Social Events company and I, organized the launch night of the Music City called ‘Egyptian Elegance’ that showcased some of the best drummers and Arabic dancers in the city.

August was busy as my agent and I, travelled to Liverpool to film at Lime Studios for  Channel 4’s Hollyoaks. It was fabulous to meet most of the cast whom, to my surprise, were not trained actors.

However, September was a highlight as MIND asked me to launch the very first ‘Get Moving and Dance’ week in regent’s Park, London. I performed with some amazing Salsa, Street and Capoeira dancers and the opera boyband Blake. Plus, the lovely Dave Benson-Philips hosted the event whilst trying out a bit of bellydancing with me.

November then became a month of business. I won a Future 100 Social Entrepreneur Award and was shortlisted for Sheffield Chamber’s ‘Young Businessperson of the Year’ Award.

And finally, December came and I found myself playing Touch Rugby on Sky Sports in aid of the Wooden Spoon Charity at the English Institute of Sport as part of the ‘Legends of Rugby’ event.

WOW! So what a year it has been! I feel very lucky and honoured to have had all the opportunities that has made 2009 a hard-working but great success.

So lets make 2010 and the coming century even better!

Beauty and the Beasts

Beautiful, educated and talented – Sophie Mei is all set to share top billing with the Legends of Rugby star names at the palatial indoor English Institute of Sport in Sheffield on Thursday December 17.

Television audiences were bedazzled by Sophie’s mesmeric belly dancing performance in Britain’s Got Talent.

Impressario Simon Cowell summed up Sophie’s display simply and splendidly as

” absolute star quality! ”

Legends of Rugby is an international touch event featuring the top names from League and Union.

England,Wales,New Zealand All Golds and the Buccaneers will clash with the aim of lifting the special glass trophy.

Sophie will perform – alongside the Legends’ team of top dancers – especially for the audience and just before the final in a routine which in her own words will be

‘an entertaining and stunning Christmas package of fun and excitement  which is set to thrill the large crowd.”

The fact that the Wooden Spoon charity will be the main beneficiary as a result of Legends’ night is something that pleases Sophie greatly

” I was very happy to take part in such a tremendous evening’s action but it is particularly pleasing to be involved knowing that we shall be helping to improve the lives of children at Christmas time.”

Some of the greatest names of both Rugby League and Rugby Union will take centre stage in the inaugural ‘Legends of Rugby ‘which will be held at the £38million English Institute of Sport in Sheffield on the evening of 17^th December.

Past and present stars of both codes will take part in a unique indoor tournament in the Athletics Arena at the EIS. Played under International touch rules, 4 teams: England, Wales, New Zealand All Golds and the Buccaneers will play each other to find the Legends of Rugby Champions 2009.

The event will be screened by Sky Sports as a 2 hours special in their Christmas schedule. Some of the players already declared include: Neil Back. John Bentley, Robbie Paul, Iestyn Harris, Paul Sculthorpe and local hero Mark Aston.

Team selection will be the subject of further announcements but the teams will wear specially commissioned indoor kits and play in squads of 9 with 6 players taking the floor at one time and operating unlimited interchange.

Tickets are on sale and are available from www.eis-sheffield.co.uk

With just 600 seats available to the paying public, tickets are strictly on a first come first basis.

The Wooden Spoon has been adopted as the events official charity and will receive a cheque on behalf of the winning team. Wooden Spoon will also benefit from other fundraising activity on the night.

Notes for Editors:

The English Institute of Sport Sheffield (EISS) it is one of the country’s most impressive indoor sports venues.

This multi-sport venue has a range of high quality facilities that are used predominantly by the community. With a seating capacity of up to 2,000 spectators the arena is a fantastic setting for a wide range of activity.

Since opening in December 2003 the Arena has hosted a selection of major sporting events including: Norwich Union World Trials, The AAA Championships, UK Inter City Cup and Channel 4’s The Games.

‘Touch rugby refers to games derived from rugby football in which players do not tackle in the traditional, highly physical way, but instead touch their opponents using their hands on any part of the body, clothing, or the ball.

A formal, competitive variety, known as Touch developed initially from rugby league and now exists as a sport in its own right. In addition, touch rugby games are played as training activities for rugby league and rugby union; as safer variants of rugby, particularly in schools and junior clubs, and as an informal social sport.’

Wooden Spoon

Wooden Spoon is the children’s charity of rugby, dedicated to improving the quality and prospect of life for children and young people to give young people across the UK and Ireland a chance to achieve their full potential. Over 25 years Spoon has helped more than half a million children through equipment and facilities in schools and hospitals and has used rugby (union, league and wheelchair) to help young people tackle obesity, manage aggression, gain qualifications and re- build their lives through the teamwork, respect and support built into the game.

Sophie Mei – Performer, Presenter & Actress

Twenty-one-year-old Sophie Mei, from Pitsmoor in Sheffield, shot  to stardom on the popular TV show Britain’s got talent.  Her determination and talent in belly dancing saw her reach the semi finals where she gained world-wide accolades, along with Simon Cowell’s declaration that Sophie has:  “Absolute star quality”.  Sophie recently sat on the elite judging panel of the biggest bellydancing championship in Europe, Raqs Britannia, with founder Miles Copeland (former manager of the Police and Sting) and she is set to welcome Raqs Britannia 2010 to her hometown of Sheffield. Sophie, who is mixed race (Chinese and English) is an established teacher in the art of belly dancing and an experienced TV presenter, having presented her own documentary in Egypt for YTV. She is soon to produce a bellydancing health-fitness DVD.   Sophie has trained extensively with Sheffield Theatres, Contact Manchester, as well as workshops at RADA, SKY Television and the Third Angel Theatre Company. Very recently Sophie has filmed with Channel 4’s Hollyoaks.  She has now also set up her own bellydance troupe ‘Mei Dance’ who recently made their debut at th O2 Academy in Sheffield.

For further details about Sophie, please visit  www.sophiemei.net

Contacts:

Tournament Directors

Lionel Hurst   07817 520789

Neal Coupland 07747 787509

www.legendsofrugby.com

For more information on Wooden Spoon and how you can make a difference contact Jai Purewal on 01926 863776 or

jpurewal@woodenspoon.com

For Sheffield International Venues,

Natalie Ross or Abby Worsnip HR Media Ltd

0114 221 0230.

Released on behalf of:

The Sports Channel, Aspect Court, Park Square, Leeds, LS1 2NL leeds@thesportschannel.co.uk

Showgirls strutted around with canapés, people huddled in poker circles and drinks were served at the bar.  I’m sure cigars would have been out if it wasn’t for the new legislation… it was just like a scene from Las Vegas.

In fact, it was the opening night of the G Casino the old Mecca Bingo on Queens Road, Sheffield.

The lovely guys from Exposed Magazine and I went to check out the new casino –not least out of intrigue! We were greeted by bouncers and showgirls as we were heavily vetted before entering the Casino where no coats were allowed.

Before the gambling commenced, we had to get some fuel off the A La Carte menu.  I had tasty soup and baked Stilton mushrooms – all very impressive at a Casino where I had been expecting scampi and chips with no vegetarian options. The guys were more adventurous than me and delved into Salmon En croute, Lamb Shank and Steak – all were dutily finished.

We then made our way around the buzzing Casino. After trying to understand the rules of Electronic Black Jack and Poker,  I had to have a sit down as my head was spinning and I half decided to be a mere spectator on the night.

I’ve always wanted a part as a Bond girl, perhaps in a Casino scene, and now I was I finally getting some real life practice…

All the gambling looked good fun but there were some very earnest-looking  punters who were taking it terribly seriously.  So much for Miss Moneypenny, I thought!  I don’t think they appreciated me sat next to them getting confused with my crunched up Fiver as they professionally chucked wedges of money onto the table in exchange for colourful chips.  Oh well, ignorance is lot cheaper!

I’ve decided I’m a bit more of a 2p slots girl  – lots of physical activity in that one and huge amounts of tumbling cash (well coins anyway) which make me feel like I’ve hit the jackpot.  I can dream, can’t I?

All in all it was a great night and something very different for Sheffield.  There was something for everyone – and if you don’t like gambling, there’s always a bit of footie on their TV or you can enjoy the Live music playing in their bar.

Kerching!

Get happy and healthy for life not just for xmas… and try learning to bellydance!

The first Sophie Mei School will launch on Sunday January 31st in Sheffield.

Day: Sunday

(monthly – first Sunday of every month)

Time: 5pm – 6pm

Price: £4

Venue: Greens Health & Fitness Club, Napier St, Sheffield  S11 8HA

Level: Beginners (open to the public)

Contact: schools@sophiemei.net

PLACES ARE LIMITED SO REGISTER YOUR INTEREST ASAP!

Love,

Sophie x