Coffee Cup Stain

Bon, bon, the scene is very good in Lisbon, and the Rock in Rio festival is coming up more quickly than anyone could have imagined. There are festivals that are worth looking into, and ones that can’t be missed, but this one is a hard ticket to catch. At least for 2010, but it’s worth it to start planning for the next event, because it’s as good as a festival can get.

As its name suggests, Rock in Rio began in Rio de Janeiro, in 1985, and had three incarnations there before moving to Lisbon, first in 2004. It’s also moving forward in Madrid, and this year will be their second festival, while in Lisbon it’s the fourth. There’s talk, too, about Poznan as the next location, and this means that there may be three European cities with the festival simultaneously.

The more the merrier, because this is an event that brings some of the best pop stars in the world, and also has a conscience connected. This year will see Shakira, Molly Cyrus, Drop the Lime, Gui Borrato, Rui Veloso, Incognito, and Snow Patrol, among many others playing in the incredible lineup.

Lisbon’s show attracts nearly a million people, and there millions watching the broadcasts from around the world, and the excitement here is always very high. However, guests don’t have to wait for the festival to book a hotel in Lisbon , because it’s an exciting city all the time already. With a very active culture that celebrates the day and then turns it on full force in the night, it’s a center of art and thought in Europe that is very hard to compete with. Its history is every bit as interesting as its present, and this is perhaps one of the reasons so many musicians are attracted to playing in the festival, being a city that walks the walk, and is as authentic a place as there is on this planet.

Who says you have to go to New York to enjoy great Broadway plays? Well, New Yorkers of course, but there are theatres and performance venues across the nation that will put up a strong argument to the contrary. And the city of Cleveland has one of the theatres that has the right to do just that. The Playhouse Square is the home to many of Cleveland’s top performance companies while also hosting major Broadway touring shows when they come to town. The cleveland luxury hotels are full of people who will support the argument that you can see Broadway productions without going to New York. They are likely to say this with tickets in hand to Xanadu, Grease, or August Osage County. These are all Broadway productions that have recently or are about to make their way to the Playhouse Square stage. Fiddler on the Roof will be rounding out the season as it takes the stage this summer in June.

August Osage County will open next month and run from April 13 through the 25. The script is an extremely dark comedy that was written by Tracy Letts. As with many great new plays it premiered at Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre Company before moving to New York. On December 4, 2007 it made its Broadway debut at the Imperial Theatre and then transferred to the Music Box Theatre in late April of 2008. The play won the Tony Award for Best Play and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama among many other awards and critical recognitions. The touring production of this show has been eagerly awaited by audiences in cities across the nation. I guess all these people don’t think they have to go to New York to see a Broadway production either. Tickets for the Playhouse Square production are still available though you should certainly get yours soon if you plan to see it.

It’s a good time for music history, because most music fanatics are recognizing that the time is particularly ripe for some exquisite new sensations to start making their appearance on the world stage. There have been a number of fantastic new experiments in all genres, and the present era of remixing has come to take over the last era of remastering, and this is starting to make some interesting new indentations on the way we hear sound in the world. In any time of great invention, there is also a lot of reinvention, and this doesn’t necessarily mean that young and naive artists are reinventing the wheel. There’s usually some valuable grease that’s working its way out of the past and into the future.

It’s certainly what seems to be happening in Chicago lately, with lots and lots of splendid musical experiments. It’s enough encouragement to make it worth the trip to the city and hole up for a few nights in order to see it happening first-hand. This is a good time for both tourists and would-be musicians, wondering what the second city might be contributing next to the great musical forms in the world. Music fans who have tastes and sensibilities toward the edgier experimentations will no doubt find something interesting to mine here in light of the No Wave revival .

With minimalist bands like Lake of Dracula , there are plenty of opportunities to hear what the sound is about. Some of these experiments are already a decade old, but they seem to be poised on the edge of an exhale, and right now it’s about gathering energy and force. It would be interesting if a new school of music were to come from No Wave , and it almost seems likely. Given that late-70s flair for combining the despair and frustration of punk with the art background in conceptualism, with a very heavy dose of Dada and all its discontents, these ingredients seem ripe for making new potions, and Chicago is where the mixing is the strongest.

I have had more than a few experiences of the BBQ to be found in Austin.  The first time I visited the city it was on a whim, I knew no one and really had no idea as to what my week would entail.  It is a city that is well known the world over, for the live music that happens in various venues, and many times just happens right there on the street corners.  That first trip was incredible.  I was lucky enough to have found one of the best Austin hotels, and with the information the front desk guy gave me, I found some of the best live music I had ever experienced, but I did not find the best BBQ.

I am in love with real BBQ, and I found a great place in Amarillo during my many road trips back and forth between Phoenix and Chicago, I was not really sure of where to go in Austin.  My second trip to Austin, was all about that.  About the BBQ.  I had met a touring musician who lived in Austin and visited him last summer.  Visiting a musician in Austin, well I knew that my live music needs for the week would be met, so I asked him to find me the best of the best, in the world of BBQ.  He’s a Texan and he was ready to take on the quest.

Our first stop was a place called Artz’s, where not only do they serve up slow roasted ribs, coleslaw and black beans, but a good dose of live Bluegrass music every night of the week.  The next night, we headed over to Cooper’s Old Time Pit, where you order your meals off the menu, by the pound.  The next day was a Wednesday and we headed to a place called Driftwood, just about 30 minutes outside of Austin.  We headed to Salt Lick, one of the most famous BBQ joints in Texas.  We BYOB-ed it, bringing with us a six pack of Shinerbock, and had some of the most delicious slow roasted brisket –topping it off with a homemade piece of cobbler.

A Texas wedding happened the next night, atop a hill in what seemed to be the outskirts of town.  My friend played music, while the grandfather of the bride tended the ribs he’s been slow cooking since last Tuesday.  I had been to the most famous BBQ joints in Texas that week, but nothing could beat the food cooked on the hill that night, nor the music that was playing, nor the vibe created by a simple night of Texas true love

Singapore is a gloriously international city state, with a very remarkable population that is enormously diverse.  It is an endless source of fascination, for locals, expats, as well as people who’ve visited here, and after one trip, most people get a taste of the magic that is very peculiar to this place.  There are always plenty of exciting new attractions, with live entertainments from all over the world.  The local talent is fairly extraordinary as well, and there is an active arts community, creating fantastic new work in visual arts and performance.  There are some practitioners who have dedicated their lives to learning very traditional forms, and there are also many interesting talents who excel in radical innovations.

Some of the best of these innovators combine art with technology, making some of the most exciting work in the world.  The film industry has always been a place where art and technology come together, and there are certainly strong communities for film here.  You can see how exciting the community is by visiting any Indian restaurant and asking if any movie stars have ever come through. Chances are good that there have been some famous guests, since it is a relatively small place, and with good restaurants, word gets around pretty quickly.  You may not see anyone famous yourself, but you’re guaranteed a magnificent meal.

One of the most exciting times in film history for the local Indian film lovers here was in 2004, when the International Indian Film Academy held their awards ceremony here.  It seems as though it wouldn’t take much to create a local buzz, however, because this year, when the Bollywood actors and actresses had a stop over in Singapore on their way to Macau, there was a tremendous buzz at the airport.  Movie magic is highly regarded here, and celebrity fever is a very exciting local condition.

If you are like me, you love giving gifts just as much as receiving them, especially when it comes to Christmas time. But with so many people on a tight budget this holiday season, the thought of Christmas shopping makes your check book cringe.  However, there is way to enjoy the gift giving tradition without breaking the bank.  This year consider a practical yet fun gift for those special people in your life: map gifts.

There is a map gift for everyone on your list this Christmas.  For those members of your family that get lost easily, consider purchasing them a road map.  With all of the major and minor highways highlighted, they will be sure to find their way around any state.  For those that love to travel and see the world, a world map would be just the gift for them.  Not only do they include political and geographic maps of every country in the world, but also contain interesting facts and statistics about the weather and population of each of those countries.  You can also purchase maps of one particular country for those who will be traveling abroad in the next year.

When it comes to maps the options are limitless.  There are maps in book and flyer formats as well as nice framed maps to hang on the wall of a library or classroom.  Some maps are also specially designed for kids to help them learn the states and capitals as well as countries.

So before you head out to begin your holiday shopping for expensive gifts that will never be used, consider buying a map.  They provide a practical, educational gift that you can guarantee will be put to good use, as well as add a beautiful aesthetic quality to any home or office.

I have been having such a great time here at my friends place, enjoying the hot tub while my friends are on vacation and I am watching their house and pets for them. Their hottubs is on a deck about 8 feet over their back yard. The yard is full of beautiful plants and lovely blooming flowers. At the end of the yard are some huge trees, so beautiful and very tall. I have been enjoying watching them sway in the late afternoon summer breeze wile soaking in the hot tub. I have been enjoying it so much I have to say I am seriously considering getting one for my own place now.

The relaxation is unbeatable, messaging away the tension in my shoulders, my back and my neck has been a very welcomed relief while I have been staying here. i know I will be missing this once they get back home and I go back to my place.

The benefits of the hot tub are amazing. I have been reading up and see reports that people have found relief from chronic headaches, back tension and muscle aches. All this can be attributed by the increased circulation caused by the messaging effects of the water and vascular dilation caused by the heat. Man y  people say they get a deep sense of relaxation after soaking in their hot tubs. This results in a better nights sleep. Some have even said this has had an enormous effect on the insomnia.

I am going to have to look into getting a hot tub. The enjoyment and the relaxation are the only things I need to know to want one. But after reading more and researching some of the additional beneficial effects of hydrotherapy I am sold on the idea of getting one.

Since I’m an avid Jane Austen fan, I couldn’t pass up the chance to participate in the Jane Austen Festival in the City of Bath. The first thing I did, after I unpacked at my Bath Hotel, was to make sure that my Jane Austin costume got cleaned and pressed. This will be my first time to attend and I want to make sure everything is perfect. I even made an appointment with a hairdresser not far from the hotel and asked if they knew how to do period hair.  They did and they knew that I was referring to the Jane Austen Festival. How exciting, I thought. The whole city seems to be involved.

The Festival was the brainchild of  David Baldock, the director of the Jane Austen Center. The first Festival started in 2001. I haven’t been able to attend any of them until now, I was studying abroad, but now I’m back in my home in London. Mr. Baldock said the reason he started the Festival was to draw attention to Jane Austen whose works were influenced by the City of Bath. He wanted Austen fans from all over the world to come and be able to immerse and indulge themselves in everything Austen.

Every year the Festival, which is held in September, expands and grows exponentially. More and more people dress in the Regency costumes; celebrating the life and works of Jane Austen. All of Bath, there will be events organized by the Festival and it’s volunteers. I’ve heard that the most spectacular day is on Saturday where the festivities officially open with the Regency Costumed Promenade through the streets of Bath! This year, I’ll be one of the ones promenading in my handmade 18th century attire. We will be led by a Town Crier and accompanied by soldiers and sailors adding even more interest to the parade.

My friends don’t understand my fascination with Jane Austen, but now that doesn’t matter, cause I’ll be amongst new friends who share the same love and obsession as I.

The Sufi Saints are worshipped and celebrated in the city of Punjab.  Many festivals and fairs are held throughout the city each year, and artistic and religious culture of this Indian city is based on these different saints.  These celebrations offer different glimpses into the multi-faceted culture of the people, through the devotional or religious fairs, to the commercial and industrial.  The religion of the region is Muslim.  Sacred days such as Shab-e-Brat and Muharram are celebrated by many throughout the communities, and pay homage and tribute to the various saints.  These are mainly devotional fairs, with days and nights spent in prayer and performing the ceremonial rituals of the religion.

When a fair is held at one of the shrines, this is usually a day in history in which the particular saint died.  These are very celebratory occasions where the people dance and play music.  The music of these fairs is something that every tourist staying in Punjab hotels should experience.  The music is the traditional folk music of the culture, and is uplifting and spirit enhancing.  One of the largest of these fairs is in honor of the Sufi poet, Syed Waris Shah, one of the most loved poets of the city of Punjab.

The commercial and trade shows are completely different.  Each year there is a festival of sports, competitions and exhibits.  This is the National Horse and Cattle Show is the largest of these kinds of fairs in the country.  The animals compete, sports are played, and the there are many companies selling the various products for livestock and agricultural industries.  The roots are very strong in these region of India, to farming and the rural way of life, and this is celebrated fully during this time.  There are also many craft and art festivals as with many cultures throughout the country, the arts have played a large role in the traditions of the people of India.  This is a great time for those wanting to purchase the colorful material, the incredible sculptures, or the leather and jewelery work of the artisans of Punjab.

For travelers looking for the perfect 5-star Barcelona hotels, ours have it all.  With design, service, and hospitality that meet or exceed the industry standards, our hotels are here to make your stay in Barcelona an unforgettable experience.  With incredible cuisine prepared by our world-class chefs, and amazing amenities available to you 24 hours a day, you’ll agree that nothing has been overlooked here.  Our knowledgeable concierge can help to guide you toward events, sights, and sounds that are specific to your interests.

Barcelona has long been one of the truly great world cities.  A powerhouse in finance and entertainment, it is also on the water, and has a long history of trade with other parts of the world.  This means that both goods and ideas flow in and out of the city, and it integrates the things it likes, so that it is constantly evolving, and constantly in flux.  The art scene here tends to fluctuate between experiment and tradition, and youth culture has always fallen toward experiments.  One rather fearless experimenter who gets the attention of the locals is Spanish musician Jaume Muntsant.  Born outside of Barcelona in 1980, this navigator of electronica always has an astounding number of projects going on at any given time.

One of his fascinating projects is a weblog, Oir para creer, which is an eclectic audio log of new developments in the electronica world at large, and with an emphasis on the local.  His myspace page, under his dj name hermético, is a great way to introduce yourself to his sounds.  There is a tendency toward the dark side here, he readily admits, betraying his death metal background.  In 2004, with his friends Sr. Click and daTo, he started a net label, inoQuo, which is an excellent resource for electronic and ambient music lovers to listen to some of the most innovative and evocative music in the world today.  Some have their fingers on the pulse, and some make the pulse, and some do a bit of both.  Sr. Muntsant is obviously both, pushing limits and opening doors in Barcelona’s international scene.