Event UK 09 - Next Big Thing Heats 2009

2010 Heats

Following the phenomenal success and continued growth of Event UK’s The Next Big Thing competition, the third edition will see an increase in the number of live heats. Due to popular demand we are planning up to 4 live heats around the UK and, as we understand this is a popular opportunity, we would like to give all our Confex Group clients the opportunity to pitch to host one of the events.

View the Request For Information (RFI) here.

Apply to become a host here.

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Next Big Thing 2009 Heats

Last year The Next Big Thing competition hosted three heats to give visitors the opportunity to choose their favourite acts.

Please click the links below to see more information on each heat.

Reader's Choice By Event Magazine

Second Heat at Eventia Networking Summer Party

First Heat at ISES Summer Party

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Reader's Choice by Event Magazine

In partnership with Event Magazine, we offered an online heat for readers to vote their favourite three acts into the semi-finals of The Next Big Thing.

Please click on the logo below to see the readers choice winners

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Second Heat Winners

The second heat of the competition was a huge success, please have a look at :
- The winners
- The shortlisted acts
- The pictures & videos

On Tuesday 25th August, the second heat of The Next Big Thing competition took place alongside the Eventia Summer Party at The Room by the River, where 150 event organisers met for an evening of networking, fun and entertainment.

We had a fabulous line up with Kev Orkian starting the competition with one of the funniest stand up acts we’ve seen in a while. This was followed by the charming & entertaining electric string quartet: Ellectrified! And The Fancy Toys who showed off their talents with a new, exciting and fresh sound!

Surge Dance Company began the second part of the show with an energetic and exciting dance act. Then, Pippa “the Ripper” captivated the audience with her unique and bewildering hula hooping! The second heat ended by a touch of mystery and magic with Oliver Tabor.

The audience voted for their favourite act using IML's touch pads, and the judges also gave their comments and voted for the second winner - Eventia's Izania Downie, Adam Sternberg of Sternberg Clark, Peter Strange from the Room by the River and Zanine Adams from Visit London.

Read the press release about the second heat here

The winners of the second heat are:


The audience voted the winner as Pippa "The Ripper"	The judge’s wildcard winner was Kev Orkian

They have both won a guaranteed place at the semi-finals at Event UK, Birmingham NEC, 22nd and 23rd September.

Special Thanks to :

Sponsors & Supporters :

2nd Heat Slideshow

Photos from the night!

Pictures by Simon Lane

For more pictures, please click here

Next Big Thing

The acts shortlisted to perform at the second heat are:

Act 1 : Kev Orkian
Act 2 : Oliver Tabor
Act 3 : Hula Hoops
Act 4 : ELLEctrified
Act 5 : Surge
Act 6 : Fancy Toys

Act 1 : Kev Orkian

Kev Orkian

Kev Orkian
A highly skilled pianist, singer and actor, Kev Orkian combines his unique off-beat humour with extraordinary performances on the piano (think Victor Borge, Dudley Moore, Victoria Wood... but younger!)
Kev Orkian's website
Click here to contact Kev Orkian

Act 2 : Oliver Tabor

Oliver Tabor

Oliver Tabor
Act themed around that of a musician who is wrongly billed as a magician. He attempt to play the violin but the bow changes into a cane and the violin strings catch alight. The act turn into a magician performing visual stage magic combining of the materialization of cards, doves and violins with mime and showmanship all set to dramatic classical music.
Click here to contact Oliver Tabor
Oliver Tabor's website

Act 3 : Pippa "the Ripper"

Hula Hoops

Pippa "the Ripper" - Hula Hoops
With a background in musical theatre, a degree in circus arts and a black belt in charm, Pippa ‘the Ripper’ is a deadly hula-hoopist and crowd pleaser. Pippa Coram was given the name ‘the Ripper’ because she has slain so many audiences. She is known as a serial killer of the circus and cabaret scene. Her unique and bewildering hula-hooping skills will bring the craze that hit the 50’s back into fashion!
This killer entertainer is front-page news.
Pippa - Hula Hoops' website
Click here to contact Pippa "the ripper"

Act 4 : ELLEctrified

ELLEctrified

ELLEctrified
An electric string quartet rocking pop and classical tracks. Performing on top-spec electric instruments to dramatic backing tracks, let the girls wow your audience!
Click here to contact ELLEctrified
Ellectrified's website

Act 5 : Surge

Surge

Surge
A group of young, passionate dancers that work so hard to create something entertaining, energetic and exciting. We do everything ourselves from music, costume, choreography etc. We are a down to earth group and just love doing what we do.
Click here to contact Surge
Surge's website

Act 6 : Fancy Toys

The Fancy Toys

FANCY TOYS
The Fancy Toys have been writing and playing both live and in the studio, with many artists since they were pretty young.
They take influences from across the globe (Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock) and implement them into a new, exciting and refreshing way of making music. Their vision is to write music that is extremely fresh and will stimulate listeners to smile, laugh and dance. They are absolutely unique and continue to surprise at every level.
Click here to contact The Fancy Toys
Fancy Toys' website

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First Heat Winners

The first heat of the competition has been a great succes, please have a look to :
- The Winners
- The Shortlisted Acts
- The Pictures & Video

On Tuesday 21st July, the first heat of Next Big Thing competition was hosted by the ISES AGM and Summer Party at Forman's Fish Island, where 150 event organisers met for an evening of networking, fun and entertainment.

We had fantastic performances from 6 acts, including an amazing MC, a fantastic Hip Hop dancer, a virtuosic string player, an amusing Mime, a fresh and energetic girl band & a sensational classical baritone! The audience then voted for their favourite acts using IML's touch pads, and judges also gave their comments and voted for the second winner - Eventia's Izania Downie, Adam Sternberg of Sternberg Clark, Lance Foreman from the venue and new ISES President Zanine Adams.

Read the press release about the first heat here

The winners of the first heat were:


The audience voted the winner as Matthew Crane !	The judge’s wildcard winner was The Ellements !

They have both won a guaranteed place at the semi-finals at Event UK, Birmingham NEC, 22nd and 23rd September.

The shortlisted acts for the first heat were:

Mime Clown	Mime, Magic, Illusion and more chaos from the master of physical comedy, this is truly the ultimate comic Magician’s Nightmare!!! Click here to contact Mime Clown Mime Clown's website
The Ellements	The Ellements are a sexy and sassy all singing, all dancing group that perform songs from the 60s to the present day. High energy dance routines are performed in beautiful costumes to backing tracks. Click here to contact The Ellements The Ellements' website
Jerry Jack	Specialising in break-dance ,hip-hop dance, street dance, choreography, popping and crumping as well as imitating popular dancers such as Michael Jackson, Usher and Idiosyncrasy. Click here to contact Jerry Jack Jerry Jack's website
Michael Hopkins	An unsigned rap artist, 21 who has been rapping for over 4 years. A versatile artist specialising in Rap, Garage, R'N'B, House, Hip Hop and Grime. Click here to contact Michael Hopkins Michael Hopkins' website
Bertie Bow	BertieBow is not only a virtuosic string player but she also has a beautiful soulful voice. She brings her two talents together, playing and singing music from classical to rock to opera and jazz in an exciting and passionate performance. A stunning unique and highly versatile act that will bring any event to life! Click here to contact Bertie Bow Bertie Bow's website
Matthew Crane	The UK’s youngest classical baritone sensation! Matthew has already surpassed the careers of many of his operatic counterparts of the older generation. He has competed in many Classical Festivals and won many accolades for his stunning renditions of opera classics such as "Nessun Dorma", "Toreador" and "La Donna e Mobile" and has performed on the World's grandest stages including, The Royal Albert Hall and The Fairfield Halls with the London Mozart Players, to great acclaim. Click here to contact Matthew Crane Matthew Crane's website