We come Highly Commended y'know..

Last night Sky Arts 1 HD was up for the Broadcast Awards 2010 "Channel Of The Year" prize....but we were pipped at the post for the big shiny gong by ITV1. We were however, Highly Commended!
Our colleagues in Sky News won Best News Programme for their Pakistan: Terror’s Front Line report, so it was a night of celebration..

Staff Virgin Virtuosos: Tracy at Midem.

I'm at Midem 2010 for the first time and I'm here to network and see if there are any gems of programmes out there. Well, day 1 was a bit daunting. My flight was delayed by half an hour but I managed to get myself from the airport to Cannes without a hitch. I even managed to find my hotel with no problem. But then registration for Midem happened and when I walked into the Palais des Festivals I thought: Jeez, what is all this about and how am I going to make sense of it all.

Well, I attended the First Timers Cocktail, which was less cocktail and more orientation but no matter, I got a tour out of it (and found out there are free massages! - defo worth attending for that alone). 

Once the tour was over, it was a case of, off you go my pretties and good luck. Day 1 wasn't too bad. I got my bearings, found out where my meetings were taking place for the next day and just meandered. Then it was off for dinner and after that the South African opening night at the Martinez hotel which was suitably decorated in the South African colours and I presume the food that was served there was also South African (I didn't try any). The music was better than I expected. There was a traditional African band, a hip hop act, an indie rock act (think Billy Joe from Green Day x3) and another rock type act. 

I met a few nice people who didn't have anything to do with TV but lots to do with music and music publishing. 1 man in particular is friends with the Head of Universal Music Australia and he, Sky Arts 2 viewers, is very good friends with a certain Mr Rieu. As I have my contacts at Universal UK already, I'm told that if I have any problems, Cyrus AKA head honcho, will be able to help me secure Andre. After that, I thought I'd end the day and head off back to my hotel.

Day 2 was better and less chaotic for me as I got used to my surroundings. It helped that I had meetings planned and I was especially looking forward to meeting Sandrine from Euroarts who I deal with on a regular basis. It was nice to hear a familiar voice and finally put a face to the name and we had an enjoyable chat about what's coming up for Sky Arts 2 and what I'm looking for.

I also attended some screenings where they show you showreels of all the programming that are available from the various channels/distributors. And then a few more meetings where as a newbie I made the school girl error of taking all hand outs and loading up my bag till it was so heavy my right shoulder is now located a lot lower than my left one. 

However, I remembered the wonderful free massage offer and promptly went there where the masseuse got rid of those horrible knots in my shoulder.... Bliss! After that, more walking (and surprisingly, my feet were still OK) and then it was off to dinner with Sandrine and to the British music night at the Martinez where Chipmunk was present (yes, that is the artist's name. He had a number one single called Whoopsadaisy for those who don't know the Chip). 

We did also pop into the Carlton for some alternative Jazz but Armenian Jazz isn't really my thing so we left again and caught the rest of Newton Faulkner's act. He of 'Dream Catch Me' fame. He was very good and especially his closing number which was an acoustic version of.... indeed, Bohemian Rhapsody..... This went down well with the crowd and was surprisingly good. That ended day 2 for me.

Day 3 roundup will follow later as I am now off to meet the Head of the LSO and I have 4 mins to weave my way back up to the main hall.

Au revoir, Tracy.

Snowed-in? We'll warm you up!

So, it's 2010 already and we're still not floating about in flying cars. Pity that. Would solve a lot of the 'travel chaos' caused by snow all over the UK today.

If you're stuck at home and you've still got electricity...there's plenty to watch on Sky Arts 1 and Sky Arts 2 while you toast your toes by the fire or indeed, burn your bum sitting on the radiator!

Today on Sky Arts 1:

15:35 Directed By John Ford
Clint Eastwood, Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg contribute to this profile of Oscar-winning director John Ford, famous for his Western epics The Searchers and Stagecoach.

17:30 Tim Marlow On Pop Life: Art In A Material World [HD]
Tim Marlow leads a tour of the Tate Modern's new exhibition, discussing Pop Art by artists such as Damien Hirst, Jeff Koons, Andy Warhol and Tracey Emin.

18:00 CONCRETE CANVAS [HD]
Berlin
Julian Beever heads to the German capital to meet local artists who are turning the city's streets into a living art gallery, before adding his own very appetising contribution.

18:30 ART RACE [HD]
Art Race 6
Ben and Kenny continue their journey across America. Ben abandons art for motor mechanics and Kenny gets trapped in a Missouri strip mall. Is Kenny about to fall even further behind?

19:00 HAY SESSIONS [HD]
Hay Sessions 4: Chris Mullin
The maverick parliamentarian and author of A Very British Coup, Chris Mullin, talks to Guto Harri about his rivetingly funny political diaries.

20:00 SONGBOOK [HD]
Ian McCulloch: Songbook
Echo & the Bunnymen's singer-songwriter gives a fascinating insight into some of his best tracks, including The Killing Moon, before performing them.

21:00 Elvis And June: A Love Story *UK PREMIERE*
The true story of Elvis's first romance with fiancee June Juanico and how his rise to fame pulled them apart. Featuring footage of the young couple on holiday in the summer of 1956.

21:50 Working Space: Michael Vaughan-Cricketer & Artist [HD]


22:00 In Dreams: The Roy Orbison Story (Relicence)
Rock 'n' roll greats pay tribute to the 'Big O', whose rise to fame was hampered by personal tragedies. His legacy was assured after the rediscovery of his work in David Lynch's Blue Velvet.

23:00 European Film Awards 2009 [HD]

...and over on Sky Arts 2 today:

16:40 Stage Light - Stage Fright
It may appear marvellous to be a musician, but it is the third most stressful profession in the world. Discover the pressures that face them and how they cope with life off- stage.

17:35 Anne-Sophie Mutter 3: Sonata In E Flat Major, K. 380 [HD]
Celebrated violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter, accompanied by pianist Lambert Orkis, performs Mozart's mature violin sonatas in Munich 2006.

18:00 MASTERMIND
Mastermind (BBC) 2
London taxi driver Fred Housego famously took to the black chair and won this classic series of the quiz challenge presented by Magnus Magnusson.

18:30 IN SEARCH OF BEETHOVEN [HD]
In Search Of Beethoven (Series) 2
Beethoven has long been romanticised as a tortured artist. Phil Grabsky attempts to separate fiction from fact in this biopic featuring leading performers and experts. 2/5

19:00 BARENBOIM ON BEETHOVEN [HD]
Beethoven:Piano Concerto No. 2 In B-Flat Major, Op. 19
Soloist Daniel Barenboim performs Beethoven's second Concerto before conducting the Staatskapelle Berlin at the 2007 Klavier-Festival.

19:35 Anne-Sophie Mutter 5: Sonata In B Flat Major, K. 378 [HD]
Celebrated violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter, accompanied by pianist Lambert Orkis, performs Mozart's mature violin sonatas in Munich 2006.

20:00 A Midsummer Night's Dream [HD] *CHANNEL PREMIERE*
The renowned Pacific Northwest Ballet perform George Balanchine's stunning ballet, based on Shakespeare's play and to music by Mendelssohn. From the Sadler's Wells Theatre, London.

21:35 Shakespeare's Globe
A revealing behind-the-scenes documentary on the modern-day Globe Theatre, the remarkable reconstruction of Shakespeare’s theatre on London’s South Bank.

22:25 Andre Rieu At Schonbrunn, Vienna [HD]
Accompanied by the Johann Strauss Orchestra, world renowned violinist Andre Rieu performs numbers including Roses from the South, and Emperor's Waltz at Schonbrunn in Vienna.

...and since we've no place to go, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...