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Event Of The Week: Granny Smith Festival – A Feast of Fun and Community Spirit in Eastwood

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Mark your calendars, folks! The much-anticipated Granny Smith Festival is making a triumphant return, and it promises to be an extravaganza of joy, community spirit, and outright fun. Celebrating its 38th year, this beloved festival is set to unfold its magic on Saturday, October 21, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the heart of Eastwood.

A Spectacle for All Ages: With a rich history dating back nearly four decades, the Granny Smith Festival has become an integral part of the cultural fabric of Eastwood. This year’s edition aims to build on the success of its predecessors, blending old favorites with exciting new activities to create a day-long celebration that caters to all ages.

Diverse Attractions: The festival boasts diverse attractions to keep everyone entertained. From classic amusement rides that elicit screams of delight to vibrant market stalls offering unique wares, the festival grounds will be a hive of activity. Foodies can also rejoice, with a tempting array of options from food trucks promising to satisfy every craving.

Entertainment Extravaganza: Prepare to be mesmerized by a stellar lineup of performances that span various genres. The stage will come alive with the talents of 500 performing artists, showcasing the rich cultural tapestry of Eastwood. A dedicated youth zone and kids’ activities ensure the younger festival-goers are just as engaged and enchanted.

Grand Parade and Local Pride: At the heart of the Granny Smith Festival is its grand street parade, a vibrant procession reflecting Eastwood’s local pride. Last year witnessed the participation of 1,500 local individuals who proudly marched through the streets, adding to the festive atmosphere. This year promises an equally spirited display of community unity and creativity.

Celebrities and Fireworks Spectacular: As the sun begins to set, gear up for a grand finale. A celebrity performance is set to captivate the audience, adding a touch of glamour to the proceedings. And what’s a celebration without fireworks? The festival will conclude with a dazzling fireworks spectacular that lights up the Eastwood sky, providing a fitting end to an unforgettable day.

Community Focus: What truly sets the Granny Smith Festival apart is its unwavering commitment to community spirit. Over 250 stallholders contribute to the vibrant market atmosphere, offering a diverse range of products and crafts. This community-centric approach has turned the festival into a massive success, drawing an estimated crowd of 100,000 people last year.

Save the Date: Eastwood is the place to be on Saturday, October 21, 2023, as the Granny Smith Festival unfolds its charm from 9 am to 8:30 pm. Whether you’re a local resident, a Sydney-sider, or a visitor looking for a day of fun and community vibes, this festival promises an experience that lingers in your memory. Join in the festivities, celebrate the community spirit, and make memories that will last a lifetime at the Granny Smith Festival.

Introducing The Rising Star Behind The Latest Issue Of StarCentral Kids: Layla David

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Layla David is a fashion enthusiast who hails from Mt. Druitt. She’s currently studying modelling, and her hobbies include reading, travelling, and exploring new places. She’s motivated by her goal to do well in the modelling industry and wants to keep growing and learning to improve. We caught up with Layla to ask her more about her journey in the industry, and here’s what happened.

How did you get into the modelling industry?

My older sisters are my inspiration. I saw them participating and joining pageants, so I wanted to follow in their footsteps. I started my first fashion show at 4, participating in different productions and fashion events. Since then, I got hooked and knew this was what I wanted.

What do you like most about pageantry/modelling?

I love to model different types of clothes. In my last modeling role, I modeled activewear, dresses, and casual clothes in one shoot. I had fun changing poses and looks to fit each type of clothing. I’m excited about this role because it would allow me to model various designs. In pageantry, what I love the most is the bond that I have with my co-candidates. I can also express and show what I am capable of. And most importantly, I gain friendships and wonderful experiences that I can treasure.

What has been the most memorable experience of being in the modelling/pageant industry so far?

One of the most memorable pageants I experienced was winning the Miss Little Earth Angel Fire 2021. I enjoyed and even found it inspirational to share my knowledge on saving food resources from being wasted by directly buying deformed fruits and vegetables from local farmers. For me, this is one way to show my advocacy as an environmental ambassador of goodwill.

What are your future plans? Inside modelling/pageantry or out of it.

I want to continue what I started. I will train harder and gain more knowledge so I can use it to improve. And become better at what I do. I want to constantly learn and grow until I become the best.

Introducing Sasha Anne: A YouTuber Who Overcame Dyslexia To Become A Successful Beauty Influencer And Entrepreneur

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Photo Credit: Matt Doheny Photography 

YouTuber, beauty influencer, and entrepreneur, Sasha Anne has made a name for herself commanding internet attention through her makeup tutorials and beauty transformations. Her popular YouTube Channel videos and tutorials currently average 18,000 views. As a makeup artist and entrepreneur, Sasha wants to inspire other girls to achieve their dreams. She has recreated several incredible cosplay makeup styles including Elsa and Anna from Frozen as well as a number of informative hauls and reviews. The Shorty Awards, also known as the “Shortys”, is an annual award show recognizing the people and organizations that produce real-time short-form content across Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Twitch and the rest of the social web actually recognized Sasha’s work by awarding her a Shorty Awards Audience Honor for empowering young women with her Gal Gadot and Wonder Woman inspired transformation. Sasha has also worked with high-profile makeup artist Dani Fonseca, who happens to be one of Lady Gaga’s makeup artists.

Since she was a child, Sasha has been fascinated with faces and facial expressions. When Sasha was eight she was diagnosed with dyslexia – a condition that explained her difficulty and hesitation to use speech to express herself. She turned to music and art as ways to express herself. She taught herself to watch people’s faces and expressions carefully to help her understand the language they used. Faces spoke to her. Not words.

When she turned 11 she discovered makeup and made a leap from drawing faces to drawing on faces. This was it for Sasha – her “ah-ha!” moment. Her world changed and she embraced this unique way of expressing herself.

At 13 she launched her own YouTube channel and reached out beyond her familiar circle of friends and started sharing her discoveries with other young girls across America. She started creating how-to tutorials for different looks and exploring different products. Her following quickly began to grow and engage with her. As questions started to come in, she would take time to respond thoughtfully and advise younger girls as they tackled their own challenges. Sasha is a natural role model like a caring big sister.

Her love of makeup inspired her to establish her own lip gloss beauty line called “Teeny Wee” Lip Gloss which was in fact, developed and founded by Sasha when she was only 17. Equally as important as her love for animals. Teeny Wee Lip Gloss is cruelty-free as compassion for all animals and a personal gesture of love for her dog Chloe. Launching her own cosmetics company is a dream come true for Sasha. Her goal is to make people smile when they see her videos and make a difference in people’s lives.

StarCentral Magazine recently caught up with Sasha Anne to discuss her journey as a beauty influencer and entrepreneur and here’s what went down:

1. Could you please tell our readers a brief background about yourself and how you started your business?

I’m 20 years old and a student at FIT in NYC. I started my YouTube channel SashaAnne when I was a freshman in High School and focused on makeup transformations. I was nominated for a Shorty award at 16 years old for my Cinderella Makeup transformation and won a Shorty when I was 17 for my Gal Gadot/Wonder Woman empowering women transformation. I strongly believe in the power of makeup as a way for young women to express themselves. I was painfully shy as a child and teenager. I am dyslexic and as a child words were challenging. Makeup allowed me to be whomever and whatever I want to be. It emboldened me. The strength that I found carries me through everyday life whether I am totally barefaced or made up.

I was very recently diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. I will be starting treatment in 10 days and hope that the inner strength I found will carry me through the harder journey I now face.

2. Can you describe your journey? When did you start?

As my YouTube channel and my social media presence increased in popularity, I had an idea for a tiny lipgloss during my Senior year in high school. I envisioned a lipgloss small enough to tuck into a tiny pocket. I persevered, asked friends and family for help, and started my SaahaAnne brand with the launch of five tiny lipglosses. Those sold out and I’m currently launching a new product line which will be out within a few months. Production was set back by a few months because of COVID.

3. What are you currently doing to maintain/grow your business?

The SashaAnne brand is growing beyond lipgloss and we are relaunching a few surprise lifestyle products within the next few months. We have been working on the concept and packaging for a few months and I’m very excited.

4. What is your main tactic when it comes to making more people aware of your brand and engaging your customers?

I am very active on all social media platforms. I have recently revamped my website SashaAnne.com where you can see everything that I’m doing and get to know me and my personal journey. My blog is going up as well.

5. What form of marketing has worked well for your business throughout the years?

My business has only been up and running for two years. It took a year for it to gain traction and I attribute that to my social media presence and my makeup transformations on YouTube.

I gifted my lipglosses at various fashion events such as Teen fashion week in New York City and that helps with audience awareness.

6. How did your brand stand out from the rest of the other brands out there that is similar to your niche?

The tiny lipglosses which were the first product I launched stood out because they were so small and easy to take anywhere for a touch-up. They fit in the tightest jean’s pocket and smallest purse. They were moisturizing and highly saturated with colors I mixed myself.

7. What is the toughest decision you had to make in the last few months?

Once the SashaAnne brand sold out two of the more popular colors of lipglosses in late February, I had to decide whether to continue to produce the lipglosses or relaunch a new product line. I decided to relaunch. It was a big decision but while we are in the midst of the COVID pandemic, I came to the occlusion that lipgloss is probably not a realistic product to be manufacturing.

8. What mistakes have you made along the way that others can learn from (or something you’d do differently)?

The three mistakes that come to mind are:
a. I should have done more research when sourcing packaging.
b. I was impatient. Patience is very important. You need to do it right the first time.
c. I tried to do too much myself. You need to get the right team in place to help.

9. If you could go back in a time machine to the time when you were just getting started, what would you do differently?

There’s not much more I could have done differently. I was 17. I had an idea. I was passionate and ambitious and I am glad I made mistakes then. I learned from those mistakes and won’t make them again.

What is the best advice you have ever been given?

Take a breath and think before you leap.

What advice would you give to a newbie influencer setting up their first business?

You absolutely must find people you trust in the industry. Do not be afraid to ask for help. It’s a lot of hard work so make sure you are prepared for the time commitment.

 

Spotlight: Introducing The Adorable Savana Archer

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Savana Archer has been competing in glitz pageants for a year and in that time she has won 2 international titles: Tiny Miss Australia Regency International 2019 and her current title – Petite Miss Australia Regency International 2020. She’s extremely honoured to have been chosen to represent Australia for a second time when she was crowned at the National Australia miss program in 2019 as Petite Miss Australia. It was a very special day for her not only for herself but because she also got to experience this journey with her beautiful friend Lili Hopkins who won her first International title as Tiny Miss Australia.

In her spare time, Savana enjoys singing, dancing, spending time with her family, and she also loves modeling and runway. She has a deep passion for animals and she would like to be a veterinarian when she is older. She currently supports the Australian koala foundation because koalas are her most favourite animals. We recently caught up with Savana to discuss her journey in the pageant industry and here’s what went down:

Tell us your full name and something about yourself.

My name is Savana Rose Archer, I’m 5 years old, I’m the youngest of 7 siblings, I have 5 older brothers and 1 big sister. I’m obsessed with L.O.L dolls – in fact, I have over 300 of them! I enjoy running and being outdoors and just having fun with my family.

How did you get into the pageant industry? How were you actually ‘discovered’?

I competed in my first pageant when I was 3 years old, then over a year later in 2019 when I was 4 I tried another pageant and I won a supreme title, from that I was offered to compete internationally, I became Tiny Miss Australia Regency International 2019

2. What do you like most about being a beauty queen?

I love making a positive difference in the world and supporting charities and also raising money for them.

3. The downside to being a beauty queen?

I’m only 5 so there’s no downside to being a beauty queen, although I really don’t like all the practice.

4. What has been the most memorable experience of being in the pageant industry so far?

My most memorable experience so far was competing at NAMP and being crowned with my second international title which I currently hold as Petite Miss Australia Regency International 2020

5. Who have been the most interesting people you’ve met so far?

I’ve met some very interesting people, some I’ve become close to such as Kim Cancellier, Katherine Musgrave, Ava Da Silva, Amy Louise, Madelyn Franz, Kirsty Koopmans, Taylor Koopmans, Linda Edwards, and Lili Hopkins.

6. What has been the most valuable lesson you’ve learned while in the pageant industry. This can be about the industry or about yourself.

The most valuable lesson I’ve learned about myself is that even when I’m nervous, I can still conquer my fear of being on stage and I still go out there and have fun.

7. Working in an industry whose only emphasis is on the outside characteristics of a person, how have you stayed grounded?

I have a big heart. When someone is sad I like to help cheer them up, remembering that beauty is also on the inside, and being a good friend is important.

8. Is your family supportive of you being in the pageant industry?

At first, it was just my mum that supported me. But as time went by and my family saw how much I enjoy being apart of the pageant community, I now have their full support.

9. What are your future plans? Inside pageantry or out of it.

Going to New York Fashion Week.

The ‘LIGHTNING FAST’ Round:

1. Last good movie I’ve seen: Aladdin

2. What do you consider beautiful and why? Puppies because they’re cute and adorable.

3. What haven’t you done yet that you wish you could? Go to New York.

4. Complete this sentence: “If I had no fear, I’d…” Go on a roller coaster.

5. What is the one “flaw” you wouldn’t change about yourself? Being talkative.

Spider-Man: No Way Home Review: Is It Worth Your Money??

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With the Avengers disassembled after the events of “Endgame” and a crop of new stars on the rise still too early to take center stage, few crossover events have matched the grandiosity and attention beyond “Infinity War” and “Endgame.” After successfully rebooting Spider-man with Tom Holland into the MCU, we finally complete his “home trilogy” with a third installment to ambitious enough to prove not all trilogies collapse once we reach Roman numeral number 3. “Spider-man: No Way home” is in many ways a culmination of all Spider-man films that came before it, while also providing a cinematic cap off to all 3 Spider-man franchises simultaneously in one wondrous, crossover package. Let’s dive into the Multiverse and see if it all pays off.

Picking up directly after the events of “Spider-man: Far from home,” the world now knows that Peter Parker (Tom Holland) is the man behind the Spider-man mask. His life, his friends, his aunt (Marisa Tomei), and even his girlfriend (Zendaya) have their worlds turned upside down as the world refuses to give Parker one moment of peace. Desperate to undo this damage, Peter contacts Dr. Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) to cast a spell to make everyone forget Spider-man is Peter Parker. Unfortunately, Peter disrupts the spell and causes pleather of villains from other Spider-man universes to invade; including Green Goblin (Willem Dafoe), Dr. Octopus (Alfred Molina), Electro (Jamie Foxx), and more. Now Spider-man must send the villains back before his life and his reality are torn apart in the wake of his greatest mistake.

Many franchises juggle their characters defining actors around with a roll of the dice. With Batman having 6 different actors to portray him on film, 3 for Hulk and now 3 for Spider-man, it can be hard to keep track of which version of a character people are most familiar with. “No way home” solves this problem by combining them into one, cross-dimensional collision that brings heroes and villains from 3 separate franchises and not only finds a logical way for them to fit together but also to improve and expand upon their own mythologies and stories left unexplained from previous installments. Spider-man learns his hardest lessons thanks to the stars of the past films and figures that came before him and does so in an exceptionally beautiful way.

No words can properly describe the chills that went down my spine when I saw Holland duking it out with Doc Ock from “Spider-man 2” and Electro from “Amazing Spider-man 2,” it was a fan spasm moment I never thought I would be able to witness. The story perfectly brings the iconic suffering in Parker’s life to the forefront; having his consequences affect his friends, his family, and even his school life is a painfully realistic and natural causality due to his actions. It’s a darker side we never got to see this Spider-man go through and Holland’s incredible performance captured the emotional impact and significance of this dramatic turn perfectly. By far though, the most incredible aspect of this film to behold is the use and interaction of the villains.

We see the likes of Sandman, Doc Ock, Green Goblin, and Lizard interacting with each other, learning of their individual fates and how their lives have been changed by Spider-man. It collects so many talented names and faces under one roof and develops them beyond being big bads; learning what makes them tick and how they feel learning about their lives and possible future when dealing with Spider-man. This is far more than a fan service film or even a flashy comic book action movie, this is the ultimate form of appreciation and collaboration of everything Spider-man is and ever was throughout all previous 7 films; even more so than “Into the Spider-verse.” This is a jam-packed, stellar sendoff that wows your eyes, attacks your heart, and mixes all those feelings together in one unforgettable trilogy topper that does everyone justice.

Overall, “Spider-man: No way home” is a dream-come-true-film that felt far more impossible and unlikely to happen than even the first “Avengers” film. Every hero, villain, minor, major and side character delivers their best work throughout all 3 co-existing franchises. This is not only the ultimate Spider-man movie of all time but also the film of the year and one of Marvel’s best of the best. If things ended here for Holland’s Spider-man then he’d be going out on the highest of high notes, but even though I doubt this entry can be topped, I cannot wait to see what the future holds in store for Spider-man. Don’t wait, don’t hesitate, buy/watch this movie ASAP and be amazed.

I give “Spider-man: No way home” 4 stars out of 4 stars.

 

Editorial credit: Sarunyu L / Shutterstock.com

Introducing R&B/Pop singer And TikTok Star Jaida Aneese

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Jaida was born in Canton, Ohio. Her passion for singing and songwriting came at a very early age, writing her first song in third grade.

Jaida wrote “F*** love” in 2017, and soon after, recorded it with her Uncle, Producer Thr3efourteen. In 2019 her great uncle, Jazz Artist, “Jimmy B” Baber introduced her to the Houston, Texas production team consisting of Eddie Ferguson Jr, Telford “Jaytel” Birmingham II. Jaida collaborated with this Houston team to finish her debut single, “Liquid.”

In addition to influences from her own musically talented family members, some of Jaida’s musical influences are; Alicia keys, H.E.R & Chris Brown.

StarCentral Magazine recently caught up with Jaida to discuss her journey in the entertainment industry and here’s what went down:

How did you get started in the music industry? How were you actually ‘discovered’?

Music has always been a part of me, but I got serious about a life in the music industry around 2 years ago. I was discovered by Billboard Jazz recording artist Jimmy B, who then introduced me to producer Eddie Ferguson and Jaytel Bethaford.

What do you like most about singing?

The thing I like most about singing is the songwriting process. Being able to create something off of a single concept and watch it grow and expand into something great. That is what I like the most.

Can you tell us about your upcoming debut single Liquid?

‘Liquid’ is a really fun, relatable, song about being in love. It’s about that feeling when you are so into someone, your body feels like liquid when they’re close. The effect they have on you when you just wanna melt, you know?

What sort of person is going to love this single?

I think anyone who’s ever been in love, of any age group, would love this single. It’s something everyone can relate to. I just feel like it’s a light, happy, love song that stays with you, and you’ll be singing it all day.

What inspires you to be creative?

To be honest, I am most creative when I am in the middle of the feeling. When I’m heartbroken, feeling frustrated, or even in love, I just feel like I need to get it out on paper. It’s like, the only way I can get through what I’m feeling is to write it down, or it will explode inside of me. I’m hoping that when people listen to my music, it can be a way for them to see that someone out there understands what they are going through, and they can use my music to express what they are feeling.

Is there anything special that you do to get into a creative mindset?

When it comes to getting into a creative mindset, I don’t have a ritual that I follow step by step. I really just take what I’m feeling and multiply it by 100. Sometimes, I take what someone else is feeling and try to put myself in their shoes. Once I do that, the emotion just takes over from there.

What message, if any, do you try to put into your work?

My message will always be ‘I get it, I know what you’re going through.’ I also try to make sure everyone knows they are worth something and they deserve to be treated accordingly. If you are not being treated that way, then it’s time to move on. As well as keeping emotions raw and real when it comes to being hurt. I know oftentimes we feel too tough to say the truth and that’s okay because you can just turn on some music and they can sing your feelings for you.

What has been the most memorable experience of your career so far?

Seeing as my career has only just begun, I would say the most memorable experience so far is just connecting and growing with my team. Working with my producers, Eddie & Jaytell, has been great. We all just click together perfectly. Being able to experience that and work to make my ideas come to life with guys that I look at like brothers is an experience to remember.

Do you ever find yourself unable to express your creativity to the fullest? What kinds of things inhibit you?

I do sometimes find myself unable to express my creativity to the fullest. It’s mostly when I am too busy with everyday boring life and have too many outside distractions. Sometimes I really have to be in a calm or hurtful state of mind to truly dig deep and create what it is I’m looking to create and you don’t always get those times periods so when they come, I try to take full advantage of them.

Who is your greatest influence?

Rihanna is my greatest influence because she’s a legit queen. Her work ethic and confidence and the way she carries herself and stays humble but savage at the same time. Not to mention her being the world’s wealthiest female musician and second richest woman in entertainment behind Oprah Winfrey. Me being a young black female artist and seeing her grow this way is insane and I just have mad respect for her and admire her to the fullest.

Do you feel that you chose your “passion,” or did it choose you?

Honestly, I feel like my passion chose me. It’s been a voice in the back of my head as far back as I can remember. I never seriously considered pursuing it, and then one day I was kinda like “Hey, maybe you should listen to this voice and see where it leads you”. That’s when I started working and growing on my craft locally, and recording with some of my uncles who have studios. They all told me to keep working and never give up. So about two years ago I decided to take a chance and jump into this music thing.

If you hadn’t chosen your field, what would your alternate field have been?

If I didn’t choose to be a singer, I would definitely just be a songwriter and pitch my songs to other artists. If I hadn’t chosen to do music at all, I would focus heavily on an acting career.

What are your future plans? Inside your career or out of it.

My future plans inside my career are to continue growing and connecting with my fans & making music that people can relate to. I also plan to get into acting and collaborating with other artists.