5 artists have been shortlisted to design a project to symbolise the new Ebbsfleet Valley development and the surrounding areas including the nearby Eurostar train station.

 

Obviously my idea of a scene showing a big fight between a load of illegal immigrants from Kosovo & some local chavs outside McDonalds in the pedestrianised Gravesend high street didn't get nominated, so i'm leaning towards Mark Wallinger's white horse (provided it is lit up at night) or the cubed tower from Daniel Buren, even if he is French (Europhobe, moi?).

 

Anyone else made their choice?

 

Not in the class of Antony Gormley's (who really is a truly talented artist) Angel of the North but should certainly become a talking point when it's finished sometime in 2010.

 

No contest for sporting event of the weekend - Let's hope the mighty Eagles can crush the Wurzels...

 

The competition was to take a photograph related to Hard Candy, her Madgenes would then pick her favourite 50 entrants and they would be invited to a special launch concert in New York City.

 

Below you will find Robin’s exclusive report of the show and a few pics he took along with of course the prize winning snap.

 

“We have just arrived from NY, Madonna concert was a very nice once in a lifetime experience!” After being officially notified on Sunday I was on the 'list' for Madonna tickets at Roseland Ballroom in NY (concert was on Wednesday), we got flights the very next day and arrived JFK late on Monday night.

 

Day 2- day of the concert - There were a hundred of fans that had been sleeping outside since Sunday night when Madonna announced she was going to give some extra tickets to the fans waiting in line.

 

The venue was a very small mini theatre near the corner of 52nd and Broadway. A number of passers-by were enquiring “Which Madonna was going to be playing at the small theatre?” I’m guessing they thought it was a tribute night. Anyway, we arrived at 6pm, got given our wristbands at 7pm, which allowed us to queue in a different line with another 50 or so people.  By that time, that particular corner of Broadway was packed with a host of radio and TV stations transmitting live.

 

At 8pm the doors were swung open, some headed straight for the t-shirt stall, others stopped to get some beers in the bar, whilst my better half and I moved quickly and found ourselves right at front and centre.

 

The lights went out and the concert started at around 10pm. Madge only played 6 songs and it only lasted under an hour. We couldn't believe we were just few steps from Madonna.

 

We took LOTS of pictures and anyone interested can just drop me a line. At the very end of the concert they gave us a very nice individually numbered Roseland Ballroom promo tour poster as a memento.

 

Thanks Madonna, it truly w...

                            

 

 

Wonder if they'll be giving away any of the promotional lollipops or sweetie packs that have been doing the rounds...

 

On to sporting matters and apart from the obvious (come on Palace), this weekend will see the climax of the World Snooker Championships and riveting stuff it's been as well, from the flawed genius that is Ronnie O'Sullivan to the spotty little herberts i've never heard of who barely look old enough to pick up a cue.

 

One of the few sports the UK is still any good at...