Express successInterview Jeff Martin

The Porkers Merv Hughes+ Gig Guide

THAT’S ENTERTAINMENTPROUDLY INDEPENDENT

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Okay funksters, it’s time to board the Mothership for a night of intergalactic sonic mayhem because George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic are coming to town. Known both here and in the outer reaches of the universe for his outland-ish dress sense, technicolour dreads and a virtuosic mastery of all things funky, Dr George Clinton is one of the most sampled musicians on the planet and has worked with the likes of Tupac, Primal Scream, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Outkast, Wu Tang Clan and Carlos Santana to name a few.

With such mind-bending hits as Atomic Dog, One Nation Under a Groove, We Want The Funk and Mothership Connection, Clinton and his collective were recognised when 16 of the P-Funk Collective (the largest group ever) were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997. In the words of George Clinton himself, this show is going to “tear the roof off the sucker”.

There’s no denying that Mahalia Barnes, like the majority of the Barnes clan, has one hell of a set of pipes - a fact that is rammed home on this powerful homage to 1970s soul and funk powerhouse and wife of Miles Davis, Betty Davis.

Barnes and her band the Soul Mates, have teamed up with no fooling blues guitar powerhouse Joe Bonnamassa to produced an album that is literally drip-ping with raw passion feeling and power.

Betty Davis’s unique story is still fairly unknown. She married Miles Davis in the late ‘60s, influencing him with psychedelic rock, and introducing him to Jimi Hendrix. Later, she released three genre-busting albums, 1973’s self-titled debut, 1974’s They Say I’m Different and 1975’s Nasty Gal.

While Kevin Smith is best known for making “ironic” comedies about angsty twentysomethings, this thriller plays completely against type. It surrounds a group of teenagers who answer an online invitation for sex. The invitation came from a Westbro Baptist Church-esque fundamentalist group who take them hostage to unleash Holy terror on them.

Jake Johnson and Damon Wayans Jr star as idiots who dress up as cops for a masquerade party they mistake for a fancy dress party and involve themselves in high-jinx like buying a used cop car on eBay and before you can say “you have the right not to buy a ticket to this yawnfest” they have run afoul of Russian mobsters. There is chemistry between the leads, but that’s where the compliments end.

George Clinton and Parliament FunkadelicWednesday, April 1 • Enmore Theatare

Mahalia Barnes & The Soul Mates - Ooh YeaThe Betty DavisSongbookOut Now

Red StateSaturday, 10.50 • SBS One

Let’s Be CopsOut NowRATED MA

WHAT'S ON «

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BRIDGE ST SWANSEA 4971 1329 - ATM - COURTESY BUS SERVICEIS GAMBLING A PROBLEM FOR YOU? G-LINE (NSW) IS A CONFIDENTIAL ANONYMOUS & FREE COUNSELLING SERVICE - FREE CALL 1800 633 635

SPORTSMANS’ DINNER 2015

Supported by:

Rick Stone & Jamie Lovett

MC:

Craig Hamilton

Friday 27th March 2015 @ 6pm – Blue Water Function Room

$130 per head or $1200 for a table of 10 – Includes meal & refreshments – See club for more details

Guest Speaker:

AlexMcKinnon

WW16486

With a mammoth 2014 that saw Jeff Martin recording the debut album for his side project Black Diamond

Express (featuring Sarah McLeod from the Superjesus and Mick Skelton from the Baby Animals) getting together another side project, Revalator with Skelton, kicking of production duties for Sydney rockers Lepers and Crooks, starting a record label, and dropping his band The Tea Party’s first album in ten years and stunning return to form, The Ocean at the End, it seems the songwriter has hit a bit of a creative purple patch.

“You know what they say, ‘no rest for the wicked,” Martin told TE down the line from Byron Bay.

“At the moment I feel that I’m in a very creative space so I’m kinda making hay while the sun shines.”

To that end, Martin is embarking on a massive solo acoustic tour that will see him hit Lizotte’s later this month - a venue that’s always high on his hit list.

“It sounds corny, but that place is like a home away from home - the sound you can produce in there is really conducive to what I’m doing - it’s just a really great fit.”

Speaking of great fits, Martin has built up quite a musical affinity with Sarah McLeod and Mick Skelton of late and he said that it was the pair’s approach to songwriting that resonated so strongly with him.

“They’re both just amazing songwrit-ers,” he said.

“I’m really excited about Black Diamond Express, because it’s the first time where the onus isn’t completely on me, y’know? With the Tea Party, I’m the main songwriter and producer but here I can just blend into the sonic architecture of it all.

“Also, with Revalator, people might already know that Mick Skelton is an amazing drummer, but what they’ll find out is that he is also a great writer and arranger - I call him the mighty arranger.”

Given that Martin has been at this music lark for some time now, how does he see himself as evolving as a songwriter?

Riding a waveof creativity

MUSIC

STEPHEN BISSET

“I guess, these days, I’m a lot more holistic in my approach,” he said.

“Also, with albums like [the Tea Party’s breakthrough record] Edges of Twilight it was all about making these grand, sweeping musical and lyrical statements but I guess, over time, I’ve learned to simplify things to a certain point while still managing to keep it all extremely potent. It is a lifelong process, though.”

Catch Jeff Martin at Lizotte’s Lambton on Tuesday, March 24.

TE is giving you the chance to win an awesome Jeff Martin prize pack includ-ing a double pass to the show, a t-shirt and signed poster. To enter, email your name and contact details to stephen@newcastlepost.com.au, with “Jeff Martin” in the subject line by no later than 5pm on Tuesday, March 17. Winners will be notified by phone.

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ABSOLUTE THAI, Charleswtown: Saturday, John and MindyANNA BAY TAVERN: Saturday, Soul Station; Sunday, Duncan Woods.AUSTRALIA HOTEL, Cessnock: Saturday, Ren-dezvous. AVOCA BEACH BOWLING CLUB: Friday, Open Fire; Saturday, Ravens Duo.AVON VALLEY INN: Saturday, Secret Society.BATEAU BAY HOTEL: Friday, Allstar.BAR 121: Thursday, Jam Night with Ty Pen-shorn; Friday, Karen O’Shea; Saturday, The Leadbellies. BAR PETITE: Friday, Emmy Rose; Saturday, Gian; Sunday, Crocq.BEACHCOMBER HOTEL: Sunday, Kirsty Larkin.BEAUFORD HOTEL: Saturday, Lenny; Sunday, Kelly Griffith.BELMONT 16s: Wednesday, Brian Stoddart, Milton ward; Friday, Midnight Drifters; Satur-day, The Years; Sunday, Rich and Famous.BELMONT SPORTIES: Sunday, Kids’ Karaoke.BELMORE HOTEL: Friday, The Royals; Satur-day, Sun Hill Drive.BERESFIELD BOWLING CLUB: Friday, Saving June; Saturday, The Snape Brothers; Sunday, Red Dirt Country Band feat. Alby Poole.BRADFORD HOTEL: Friday, Scot James; Satur-day, Steve Druce; Sunday, Kelly Griffith.BUDGEWOI SOCCER CLUB: Saturday, Loose Change.CAMBRIDGE HOTEL: Wednesday,The Vanns, Stone Monks; Thursday, Seth Sentry, Citizen Kay, Coin Banks, Dustin Thomas; Friday, Hor-rorshow; Saturday, Local Resident Failure.CANTON BEACH SPORTS CLUB: Friday, Daxton; Saturday, Open Fire.CATHO PUB: Sunday, The V Dubs.CAVES BEACHSIDE HOTEL: Friday, Dave Carter; Saturday, Dai Pritchard.CBD HOTEL: Saturday, Uptown.CENTRAL CHARLESTOWN LEAGUES CLUB: Friday, Holly Wilson; Saturday, Matt Gaudrey.CENTRAL HOTEL, Stroud: Saturday, Allan Friehaut.CESSNOCK LEAGUES CLUB: Friday, Gareth Hudson; Saturday, The Bad and the Ugly; Sunday, Kids’ Disco.CESSNOCK SUPPORTERS CLUB: Saturday, The Bad and the Ugly.CHARLESTOWN BOWLING CLUB: Friday, Iguana.CLARENDON HOTEL: Friday, Dean Kyrwood; Saturday, Arley Black.

CLUB AZZURRI: Sunday, LatinovaCOLLIERY INN: Friday, Karaoke; Saturday, Pete Sneddon; Sunday, Live Music 4-7.COMMERCIAL HOTEL, Boolaroo: Friday, Tiali.CRICKETERS ARMS: Saturday, Kristy J.CRITEREON HOTEL: Friday, Zane Penn; Sun-day, Mike Horbacz.CUSTOMS HOUSE: Friday, Jason Bone; Satur-day, Jon T; Sunday, Howard Shearman.DOYALSON RSL: Saturday, Darren Rolling Keys.DUKE OF WELLINGTON: Friday, Greg Bryce and the Bad Bad Things; Saturday, Iguana.EAST MAITLAND BOWLING CLUB: Friday, Janey’s Alibi; Saturday, Flyine Mare; Sunday, Troy.EDGEWORTH TAVERN: Friday, Shivoo; Satur-day, Trataka.EXCHANGE HOTEL: Friday, The V Dubs.FAMILY HOTEL: Friday, Outerphase.

FIVE SAWYERS: Friday, DJ Jonathan; Saturday, DJ Benny B; Sunday, DJ Tone.GATESHEAD TAVERN: Friday, Cash and Co.GEORGE TAVERN: Friday, Katrina Burgoyne; Saturday, Howie and Alex.GRAND HOTEL: Tuesday, Jazz.GREAT NORTHERN HOTEL: Thursday, Open Mic.GRETA WORKERS CLUB: Friday, Slam Tango.GWANDALAN BOWLING CLUB : Friday, KaraokeGUNYAH HOTEL: Friday, Brenton Williams; Saturday, Jungle Kings; Sunday, Troy Kemp.HALEKULANI BOWLING CLUB: Saturday, Malihini’s Over 30s Nightspot.HAMILTON STATION HOTEL: Friday/Saturday, Karaoke.HARRIGANS IRISH PUB: Friday, Mayhem 101; Saturday, Jimmy Craz Band, Lara; Sunday, Sarah de Bono DuoHEXHAM BOWLING CLUB: Saturday, Emile

HONEYSUCKLE HOTEL: Firday, Kylie Jane Trio; Sunday, Phonic Trio.HOTEL DELANY: Friday, DJ Surian, Timmy Cof-fey, Hurricane Party; Saturday, Misbehave.HOTEL JESMOND: Friday, Sundays Record Duo; Saturday, Gabriel Emilia Duo.HOTEL PREMIER: Saturday, Mike Horbacz Duo; Sunday, The Bounty Hunters.HUNTER RIVER HOTEL: Saturday, Cover 2 Cover.IRON HORSE INN: Saturday, Pete Gelzinnis.JEWELLS TAVERN: Friday, Whiskey Tango Foxtrot.JUNCTION HOTEL: Sunday, Sunday, Republic.KENT HOTEL: Thursday, Karaoke.KING STREET HOTEL: Friday, Senor Roar; Saturday, Bombs Away; Sunday, Any Given Sunday. KURRI BOWLING CLUB: Friday, James Naldo.LAKE MACQUARIE TAVERN: Friday, Good Corn Liquor.LASS O’GOWRIE HOTEL: Wednesday, The Floating Bridges, Tim and Truman; Thursday, Creative Creatures Open Mic Night; Friday, Lepers & Crooks, The Maze; Saturday, The Un-derscore Orkestra, Crazy old Maurice, Grand Master Monk.LIZOTTE’S NEWCASTLE: Wednesday, Tim hilberts, Jasmine McDonnell, Ben Leece, The Strange Desires; Friday, The Pigs; Saturday, Phil Jamieson, Morgan Joanel; Sunday, Jake Clemons.LOCHINVAR HOTEL: Saturday, Mick Jones.

SEND YOUR FREE ENTERTAINMENT LISTINGS FOR THE GUIDE TO: stephen.bisset@newcastlepost.com.auor phone 4032 8373

Janey’s Alibi is a Newcastle-born, highly versatile and entertaining band. All the members have plenty of experience in entertaining crowds around Australia. They are renowned for their flexibility to suit any occasion according to the needs of the audience.

Ranging from a ‘stripped down’ approach to a high-energy performance that gets the dance floor pumping. The band features Tim Broadway on lead vocals and guitar, Brendan Kelso on drums, percussion and guitar, and Tim Gebethner on bass, vocals and the harp.

These guys rock one heck of an eclectic setlist - ranging from the likes of Aloe Blacc, Bastille, Bruno Mars, Daft Punk, MGMT, Passenger and the Black Keys to a more classic affair along the lines of Aussie Crawl, Crowded House, Johnny Cash, Dragon and Paul Kelly. Janey’s Alibi will make sure your event will be a night to remember.

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EAST MAITLAND BOWLING CLUB

FRIDAY, MARCH 13

SAVING JUNE

BERESFIELD BOWLING CLUB

FRIDAY, MARCH 13

Eclectic entertainment

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LONG JETTY HOTEL: Saturday, Ben Woodham; Sunday, Open Mic With Casho.MARMOOK AND POOM POOMS, Maitland: Sunday, Kylie Jane.MARY ELLEN: Friday, Novo; Saturday, The Steves; Sunday, Jason Bone.MARK HOTEL: Friday, Jackson Halliday; Satur-day, Liam Gray.MARYVILLE TAVERN: Friday, Pistol Pete; Sunday, Zane Penn. MATTARA HOTEL: Friday, Ben Woodham; Saturday, Disco & Karaoke.MAYFIELD HOTEL: Wednesday, Open Mic; Thursday, Karaoke.MJ FINNEGANS: Friday, DJs; Saturday, Juicy Fruit, DJs; Tuesday, Bushin Behnes.NAGS HEAD HOTEL: Saturday, LoKo.NELSON BAY BOWLING CLUB:. Saturday, Karaoke; Tuesday, Hummdinger.NELSON BAY DIGGERS: Friday, Coastal Craze; Saturday, The Smarts; Sunday, Marissa Lee.NEWCASTLE PANTHERS: Friday, Brooke Harvey.NORTHERN STAR HOTEL: Friday, Lennie Live; Saturday, Thomas Blake.NORTHUMBERLAND HOTEL: Friday, Aaron Hood.OCEAN BEACH HOTEL: Friday, Dane Fitzsim-mons.OLD PUB, Woy Woy: Friday, Formula.PAXTON HOTEL: Saturday, Whiskey tango Foxtrot.PEDENS, Cessnock: Friday, Garth Prentice Duo; Saturday, Montezuma.PIPPI’S AT THE POINT: Friday, Pete G, 2 Words; Saturday, Janey’s Alibi Duo; Sunday, Matt McLaren.PLOUGH INN: Friday, Dean Dee.POTTERS BREWERY: Friday, Troy.PRINCE OF WALES: Friday, Kim and Mik; Sat-urday, Kylie Jane; Sunday, Jerome, AdzDrumz.QUEENS ARMS HOTEL: Friday, Troy Kemp. QUEENS WHARF HOTEL: Friday, Frets With Benefits; Saturday, Brooke Harvey, AdzDrumz; Sunday, Chris Phillips, Timmy Coffey.RACECOURSE HOTEL: Saturday, Phil McKnight; Sunday, Kim.RAILWAY HOTEL, Cessnock: Saturday, Debo-rah Sinclair.REGAL HOTEL, Kurri: Saturday, Allstar.RIVER ROYAL, Morpeth: Friday, Twinsanity.ROYAL FEDERAL: Friday, Hummingbirds; Saturday, Nick Raschke Duo.ROYAL HOTEL, Denman :Saturday, Formula.

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Local pop/funk covers band Uptown is renowned for their fun-filled, energetic perfor-mances and exceptional musicianship.

Uptown features Eve Boyle as lead vocalist. Eve is a high-energy performer with an extraordinary reputation and following throughout Newcastle and the Hunter region. When performing with Uptown her incredible vocal ability really shines.

Her versatility as a singer is put on display at every show as Uptown span a wide array of genres such as funk, R&B, pop, Motown and lounge. Eve’s music industry experience and performance history is vast, with highlights including Star Struck performances in high school, several large tribute concerts, as well as being the lead singer for many great Newcastle bands over the years.

UPTOWN

CBD HOTEL

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ROYAL HOTEL, Singleton: Sunday, Darren Rolling Keys.ROYAL INN, Waratah: Saturday, Ben Travis.RUTHERFORD HOTEL: Saturday, Spank n The Monkey.SEABREEZE HOTEL: Friday, Todd Stewart Duo; Saturday, The Piranha Brothers; Sunday, Tiali.SEVEN SEAS: Friday, Mark Wood; Saturday, Top Shelf.SHAFT TAVERN: Friday, The Royal Key.SHOAL BAY RESORT: Friday, GenR8; Saturday, Defaced, Hayden Johns, Adam and the Talents; Sunday, Frets With Benefits.SHORTLAND HOTEL: Friday, Russell Snape.SOLDIERS POINT BOWLING CLUB: Friday, Norm Bakker; Saturday, Solid Gold Party Night.STAG AND HUNTER: Friday, Plastic Voyage; Saturday, The Buzzard Mix. STAR HOTEL: Friday, DJ Matt Meler; Saturday,

DJ Perry Carter.STOCKTON BOWLING CLUB: Sunday, Impu-dent Lager Wort.SUNNYSIDE TAVERN: Saturday, Karen Soper.SYDNEY JUNCTION HOTEL: Friday, Grand Theft Audio; Saturday, The Hepburns; Sunday, The Snape Brothers Band.SWANSEA RSL: Saturday, Robbie Urquhart DuoSWANSEA WORKERS CLUB: Saturday, The Strangeminds.TELARAH BOWLING CLUB: Firday, Free Juke Box; Saturday, Karaoke.THE POURHOUSE, Maitland: Saturday, Shawn Lidster.TILLIGERRY RSL: Friday, Purple Hearts; Saturday, Tiali.TORONTO DIGGERS: Friday, Anthony Lee; Saturday, Paul Watters.TORONTO HOTEL: Friday, Redline.

TORONTO ROYAL MOTOR YACHT CLUB: Sun-day, Jamie Martens.TORONTO WORKERS CLUB: Saturday, Rave On Band.WALLARAH BAY REC CLUB: Friday, Loose Chgange; Saturday, The Gents.WANGI HOTEL: Sunday, Rafael.WANGI WORKERS CLUB: Friday, Karen O’Shea.WARNERS AT THE BAY: Friday, Glam Slam; Saturday, The V Dubs.WESTS CARDIFF: Saturday, The Radiators.WESTS NEW LAMBTON PIANO LOUNGE: Wednesday, Peter wall; Thursday, Angamus; Friday, Peter Wall; Saturday, Ben Hanley; Monday, Tuesday, Angamus.WESTS NEW LAMBTON MARBLE BAR: Friday, The Smarts; Saturday, 2GoodReasons.WESTS NEW LAMBTON STARLIGHT ROOM: Friday, Leo Sayer.WEST WALLSEND WORKERS CLUB: Friday, The Liars.WICKHAM PARK HOTEL: Wednesday, Lianna Rose Album Launch; Friday, Sun Hill Drive; Saturday, Marty and the Oil Paintings, Kings Road; Sunday, John Larder, Justin Ngariki and the Dastardly Bastards.WINDSOR CASTLE HOTEL: Friday, Hayden Johns; Saturday, Zac and Ben.WYONG BOWLING CLUB: Friday, Antoine; Saturday, Sundown Duo.WYONG LEAGUES CLUB: Friday, Roll Again; Saturday, VIP.

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After a stellar comeback run last year, that included a scene-stealing turn at Soundwave, Newcastle’s skankingest outfit The

Porkers are hitting the road again for a

few sneaky dates, including one on home soil at the Cambridge.

Featuring the same line-up as the 2014 incarnation - Cooper on vocals, Phil “Bigfil” Barnard on sax, Dave Morris on bass, Frank Dasent on trombone, Julian Barker on trumpet, Dave Power on guitar and Scott Chapman on drums and, of course, the ubiquitous mascot Porkman

The Porkers ride again

MUSIC

STEPHEN BISSET- Cooper said by the time the Porkers hit the Cambridge stage, the third show on the tour, they would be a well-oiled machine, or something like that.

“I don’t know about a well-oiled machine, maybe an oily old machine,” he laughed.

“The reunion shows last year were absolutely crazy - especially Soundwave

which was just overwhelming with the amount of support we received.

“But those shows were also a bit of a wake-up call in that it isn’t as easy as it used to be - but by the time we’re in Newcastle we should definitely be well and truly in the swing of things.”

Anyone who has seen the Porkers in action will know that even on an off night, they were one of the most engaging live bands in Australia - their unpretentious surf/punk/rockabilly-infused ska mixing perfectly with Cooper’s frenetic stage presence.

Starting life in 1987, with the rather sala-cious name The Pork Hunts, their infec-tious brand of what Cooper describes as “bastardised ska” quickly captured the hearts of the Australian festival and record-buying public and their brilliant debut long player Grunt propelled them even further into the stratosphere with slots on both the Australian and US Vans Warped tours - playing alongside the likes of Eminem Ice T and Blink 182 - not to mention a career highlight show at Boston’s iconic Middle East Club with ska giants Bim Skala Bim and the Slackers.

Cooper, who spent the end of 2014 in the US where he played a string of shows in New York backed by The Paramedics as well as joining the Mighty Mighty Boss-tones on stage during a mammoth show in their hometown of Boston, said that while the initial plan was to play the 2014 dates - it seems there might be still some life in the Porkers yet.

“ I’d planned that we would have some new material for this tour but, sadly that didn’t eventuate, but I would definitely like to get something new out there, sometime soon.”

Catch the Porkers at the Cambridge Hotel on Saturday, March 21.

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Loose Change

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Beer, cricket and some great food will be the order of the day at The Squire’s Maiden in Honeysuckle when Austral-ian cricketing legend, Merv

Hughes teams up with James Squire brewer Josh Staines for a special lunch later this month.

While Hughes is well-and-truly in the public eye at the moment thanks to his turn on the hit reality TV show I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, in case you’ve been living under a rock, he was also quite a dab hand at cricket.

Hughes - the fast bowler with the big personality - was definitely a crowd favour-ite in his heyday thanks to his lively on-field persona and his imposing run-up and delivery action.

While his antics sometimes overshad-owed his bowling - he certainly was no slouch in that regard.

A right-arm fast bowler, he represented Australia between 1985 and 1994 in 53 Test matches, taking 212 wickets.

He played 33 One Day Internationals,

taking 38 wickets. He took a hat-trick in a Test against a powerful West Indies team at the WACA in 1988-89, and went on to take 8-87. In 1993, he took 31 wickets in the Ashes series against England.

Beer and a chat with big Merv

GIVEAWAY

STEPHEN BISSET

He was also a pretty useful lower-order batsman, scoring two half-centuries in Tests, and over 1,000 runs in all.

James Squire’s brewer Josh Staines will also be on hand to take you through

the James Squire story and give you the lowdown on how they manage to create such tasty brews.

Aside from the sparkling repartee from Hughes, Staines and MC and Newcastle personality Mike Rabbitt, you will also be treated to a sumptuous two-course lunch - an entrée of roasted pork belly with seared scallops and chilli jam or salt and pepper prawns with wild rocket and mango salsa and a main of seared angus scotch fillet with truffled potato pav, Dutch carrots and mushroom jus or roasted chicken supreme with baked kipfler potatoes, sage scented peas and a white wine jus. In a word - yum.

Join Merv Hughes and Josh Staines at The Squire’s Maiden on Thursday, March 26 from 12-3pm.

Tickets are $100 per person and are avail-able at the venue or by visiting thesquires-maiden.com

TE is giving you the chance to win a double pass to this special event.

To enter, simply email your name and contact details to stephen.bisset@newcastlepost.com.au with ‘Merv’ in the subject line, by no later than Tuesday, March 24. Winners will be notified by phone.

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