Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/236916
25 maltatoday, TRANQUIL TRIP pg 34 LOVELY LEMONGRASS pgs 32-33 FUTURE FILMS pg 30 year ahead STEVE HILI Comedian, radio presenter I am really looking forward to 2014... I think it's going to be a lot of fun. My newest play, Adam and Eve and Kevin, is the first thing that I will be involved in (it's playing at the MADC Clubrooms on the 7-9 February). I wrote it and will be directing it, and it's a bit of a mad take on what really happened in the Garden of Eden. I have got a kick-ass cast so really looking forward to that. Plus, that I am hoping to release a [comical music side-project] Baron Bubblebeef EP in 2014. Three new songs are being worked on so...hopefully there will be some news there. And of course I am looking forward to doing loads more stand up. I have done gigs both here and in London and am looking forward to doing more. I love it! With regards to radio, I am hoping for another creative year and SUNDAY, 5 JANUARY 2014 am planning lots of new features to spice up the Big Breakfast. Regarding improvements and developments, I am hoping that in the local radio world, creativity starts getting a bit more appreciated and promoted. A lot of creative people have left the medium, and it feels like radio in general in Malta needs a bit of a kick up the backside. With regard to comedy I hope that the promoters who bring in foreign stand up comedians start respecting local comedians and including them on their bills. Not because of any patriotic leanings, but just because some of the local comedians are actually very funny. Also, I think it is high time that the government introduces tax incentives to people working in the arts. Something that would really help would be to increase the VAT exempt threshold for 'self-employed' artists doing their own stuff. This is something I hope can get a bit of support on in 2014. JASON MICALLEF Chairman, Valletta 2018 Foundation I am looking forward to continue building on what we have achieved as a Foundation over the last eight months or so, where dialogue and participation with all Cultural entities and local artists helped with the huge success of this year's Notte Bianca, the Valletta Forum, Story Works, and the ZiguZajg Festival amongst others. A special mention goes to Valletta 2018's main contribution to Christmas and the New Years events around the capital with the 3D mapping architectural projection on the Palace façade in collaboration with MCAST students turning it into a main attraction for the general public and tourists in Valletta during the Christmas period. I am also looking forward to start seeing the first steps of infrastructural improvements in and around Valletta together with the first phases of 1 or 2 capital projects in Valletta that would need to be completed before 2018. As for the Valletta 2018 foundation, 2014 will see an improvement and an increase to its working force as work and preparation for 2018 will definitely see an increase. Amongst other capital projects to regenerate Valletta way before 2018, The Valletta 2018 Foundation wants to rehabilitate Strait Street making it an absolute attraction to all, including its residents. We cannot continue to accept having this long, narrow beautiful historical street full of dilapidated empty dwellings of many years with their dirty black facades a constant eyesore. Broken pavements making it dangerous for pedestrians to walk and non-existing street management. We also want to turn a small part of Strait Street into a planned strict zone for commercial and entertainment purposes giving it back its past glory with locals and foreigners alike. By doing so, Strait Street will become an instant attraction for young people deciding to spend their weekends much more in Valletta than nowadays. This was my only reference to ''Paceville'' which for reasons I do not understand, was taken out of context from another section of the press. For that matter, we are against of having a replica of "Paceville'', not only in Strait Street, nor anywhere in Valletta. But yes, this is our vision for different parts of Valletta if we want to address what Maltese have been saying for decades, that Valletta is a dead city with not much life after 6pm. We simply cannot continue to talk forever. Yes, we will listen to what residents and people have to say, and address their concerns. That is also why we have created the Valletta Forum for. IRA LOSCO Singer I'm looking forward to more single releases on my album, including video releases. RUPERT CEFAI MALCOLM GALEA MADLEINE GERA Artist I am looking forward to travelling and resuming my painting life after I hopefully finish off my Master's in 19th Century Aesthetics this year. Within the local context, I look forward to the national collection of fine art moving to The Auberge d'Italie. As for improvements in the visual arts here on Malta, I would hope that people who were not artists themselves would find ways to make the visual arts more relevant to their lives. Actor, comedian, playwright This year I've got several fun projects that I'm keen to get to grips with. I'd like to keep developing my stand-up act and performing my 'More or Less' [historical] family comedies while I'm also looking forward to producing my first Maltese play 'Id-Dlam taht it-Teatru' in May. This will also be my first play to be produced at the Manoel Theatre (not counting pantos) and is actually based in the same theatre where it shall be staged. I would like to see quality theatre become even more accessible to people and not be limited to a handful of Valletta venues. It's already started but there's still a long way to go before theatre regains the same status it once enjoyed a few decades ago. Also: more stand-up comedy venues, events and people trying it out! St James Cavalier Chairman, painter The first thing I'm looking forward to is seeing the reorganisation process for St James Cavalier that we have started come to fruition. We have embarked on a reform of the whole structure within St James Cavalier which should lead us to have our first Artistic Director in place in a few weeks or months. Then there are a number of projects we have started that should kick off soon, especially when it comes to reaching out to local artistic communities, the export of local artists and their work and being more active in international networks. I personally would like to see more professional artists and more artists being professional about their work. We are getting there but we need to do that little bit more. When it comes to the institutions, we need to invest more on the technical side of things, especially specialised personnel. YOUR FIRST CLICK OF THE DAY www.maltatoday.com.mt