Where´s the Party At?

One of the exciting moments in any host city is to find out when & where the different contestants will hold their Country Party to promote their song entry. These parties usually come in four categories: invitation only, for accredited media and fans only, for accredited media and fans as well as for OGAE ID cardholders, and finally for everyone.

Of course, you can try to crash these parties and there´s always a 50/50 chance of success (or you may be turned away with everyone watching..eeww!).

The venues can be many: at the Euroclub, at the Eurocafe or in other locations.  

A few Country Parties have been held since I arrived on Friday:

- 21.5 at 20:00 Russia in Euroclub (invitation only)

- 22.5 at 20:00 Georgia in Oslo Opera House (invitation only)

- 22.5 at 20:00 Poland in M3 pub (everyone)

- 22.5 Greece-Cyprus in Eurocafe (everyone)

What the Country Host offers also vary, from simply providing a venue and you buy your own drinks (Greece), or finger food & show but you buy your own drinks (Poland), or fully-catered (including drinks) plus show (Georgia).

But the main idea is to have fun, see who else is there and hear as much gossip as possible, so if you´re coming to Oslo keep a look out for the next parties: I heard that on Monday there will be the Israel Party and the Ukraine-Germany Party!

Overheard..

At the Azerbaijan Press Conference today: http://picasaweb.google.com/RossKamarulBaharin/OsloPressConferenceAzerbaijan#5474042344383051986

Safura: "I´m tired of questions asking me to prove age. When my Mom comes she will show my passport to prove I am really 17".

Back-up singers (from Sweden), when asked how it feels to compete against their own country: " Now we are competing for Azerbaijan, and we hope we will win!".

The Stage

Oslo is going for something very simple compared to the high-tech stage design and visual effects of Helsinki, Belgrade and Moscow.

The main effects accompanying each performance are light displays behind and on-stage as well as props such as string beads or curtains which are lowered from above. Variation is added by stage props brought by each performer from their home countries to the stage.

Being a much smaller host city in a much smaller country in quiet Scandinavia, simplicity also shows in other parts of the organisation of ESC 2010. Journalist are encouraged to bring their own laptops as there are few computers provided in the Media Centre. Missing also is the tight and advanced security controls of Moscow: in Oslo at the entrances to the Media Centre and Telenor Arena a few chatty security staff use hand held scanners to authenticate the security passes of each visitor. The process could cause a queue during rush periods but one of the interesting things about Oslo in general is that folks do seem to have time to spare, which can also be a nice thing.

Some views of the stage during the rehearsal of Azerbaijan: http://picasaweb.google.com/RossKamarulBaharin/OsloStage#5474025292192057570 

The Press Centre

One of the interesting experiences at every Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) is to experience how each host city organises the Event.

The Oslo Telenor Arena in the district of Fornebu is the venue for ESC 2010. Free shuttle buses from the official hotels of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) ferry fans and journalists from Oslo central for the 10 km journey to the venue. The shuttle bus stop is behind the Telenor Arena and on first approcah one might wonder if the Event will be held in the wilderness, but only walk around the building and the posters and signs of ESC 2010 will greet the visitors.

The Media Centre is where press conferences for the performers as well as the OGAE Fan Club Desk is located. The Media Centre is in a big white tent, happily with climate control, behind the Telenor Arena. This is where info, news and gossips are gven and shared.

Some photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/RossKamarulBaharin/OsloPressCentre#5474016389858848226

Time to go see the stage now!

Up & About

The Euroclub on 21 May saw some familiar personalities having a party; see how many you know: http://picasaweb.google.com/RossKamarulBaharin/OsloEuroclub215#5474010679255285970

This is Oslo

For those who didn't know, Norway is member of the European Economic Area (Euroopan Talousalue) but not of the European Union, which means that when flying to Oslo from Helsinki you can buy cigs and booze duty free (yay..!), but then Norway keeps her customs checkpoints and limits how much in cigs & booze you can bring (boo..!), so when the duty free stuff is gone like it or not Finnish Eurovision fans will just have to pay Norwegian prices if we want to party every night in the next 8 days..let's hope the Euro value continues to rise.

The Eurovision mood is in the air here and already at Oslo Gardemoen airport the host city's Eurovision logo greets you on arrival (photo above).

So now it begins. Tomorrow there will be a chance to see the stage during rehearsals beginning with Azerbaijan at 11:00, so check in again tomorrow afternoon for more.

Welcome to the Eurovision Song Contest 2010!

Hello Finland! This is Oslo calling..

Between 21-30 May Ross' Oslo Blog will appear daily on the Euroviisuklubi website. The Oslo Blog brings views and gossips from the Oslo Eurovision. Stay tuned!