Jetsettersblog

Las Vegas, Nev. – The UNLV Performing Arts Center welcomes Russian-born Irina Kulikova – called “a powerful presence on the guitar scene” by Classical Guitar magazine and winner of five international competitions in 2008, at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, March 9 as part of the Classical Guitar Series.

In 2005, Kulikova recorded her first solo CD in Moscow, with compositions of Dionisio Aguado, Johann Kaspar Mertz, Frederico Moreno-Torroba, Joaquín Rodrigo and others. In September 2009, her new CD was released, with works of Manuel Ponce, Alexander Tansman, Leo Brouwer and Antonio José.

Since 2007 Irina lives and teaches in The Netherlands. She continues to broaden her musical horizons and to share a varied repertoire with audiences around the world: as a soloist, in the duo ‘Irina & Felicia’ with the Dutch flutist Felicia van den End, and with a variety of ensembles and orchestras.

Tickets to Irina Kulikova are $37.50 and can be purchased at the Performing Arts Center Box Office at 895-ARTS (2787) or by visiting pac.unlv.edu. Student rush tickets are $13 each and available one hour prior to each event, based on availability and with valid student I.D. UNLV faculty and staff discounts also are available.

A $1.25 facilities fee, in addition to the ticket price, is charged on all Performing Arts Center tickets.

The box office is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.

Information about all of the season’s performances can be found on the Performing Arts Center website, located at pac.unlv.edu.

Founded in 1976, the Performing Arts Center at UNLV continues to be Southern Nevada’s premier performing arts venue.

Located on the north end of the UNLV campus, the PAC hosts a variety of performances each year in three distinct series – the Charles Vanda Master Series, New York Stage & Beyond Series, and the Classical Guitar Series. UNLV and Vegas PBS are graciously sponsoring the season.

The Palm Beaches has many of the destination’s spring offerings, including accommodation specials as well as activities, posted at www.PalmBeachFl.com/stay-play

The site provides a comprehensive inventory of the best way to experience Florida such as a $200 per night credit (good toward on-site dining, shopping, spa, salon treatments, golf and tennis play or instruction) at The Breakers Resort; the Boca Bacchanal (March 18 to 20) food and wine event;

or the PGA Tour’s Honda Classic (Feb. 28 to March 6) at the PGA National Resort & Spa.

For more information and a complete listing of spring offers and activities, visit the CVB’s monthly Stay. Play. newsletter at www.PalmBeachFl.com/stay-play

Vail Resorts’ Legendary Lodging collection at The Ritz-Carlton Residences is offering special deals to celebrate its opening. Guests can opt for two- to four-bedroom private residences with a 20 percent savings on lodging throughout the remainder of ski season (through April 24, 2011).

The residences feature technology, hickory floors, grand entranceways with custom millwork and sound-proof windows. Chef’s kitchens feature islands, granite slab counters, decorative tiles and Bosch stainless steel appliances.

The Great Room features floor-to-ceiling windows and a fireplace. The property also offers a children’s program, the Ritz Kids Roundup, featuring activities available in the morning and afternoon including scavenger hunts, little Picassos painting program, arts and crafts, and ice skating.

There is also a teen room featuring activities like a Nintendo’s Wii gaming system, air hockey, Foosball and billiards.

The wellness center offers personal training, group exercise classes, massage services, nutrition and lifestyle coaching, Reiki, Acutonics binaural audio relaxation, workshops, après ski stretch, oxygen therapy and aromatherapy.

A wellness concierge provides a complimentary wellness consultation to work weight loss or athletic performance.

Vail Resorts’ Legendary Lodging collection at The Ritz-Carlton is located at the base of Vail Mountain, above the banks of Gore Creek and within walking distance of the Eagle Bahn Gondola.

The residences are adjacent to Vail Square, the recently developed slopeside village of Lionshead. Skiers and snowboarders can take advantage of the ski valet service and daily complimentary shuttle that is provided door-to-door from The Ritz-Carlton to the base of the Eagle Bahn Gondola. Ski and snowboard rentals and retail merchandise are available onsite through Vail Sports.

For information on the 20 percent off special, visit www.legendarylodging.com/info/vail/ritz-specials.aspx

For general information, call 877-525-9631 or visit www.theresidencesvail.com

The 150-room Rumor Boutique Hotel in Las Vegas is offering a buy-out program for groups or individuals for $13,000 per night.

The offer, which does not include food and beverages, taxes or gratuity, is valid from June 15 through Dec. 27, based on availability.

For more information, call 877-997-8667 or visit www.rumorvegas.com

AirTran Airways and the Branson Airport have announced new nonstop service, beginning in May, to Branson from Baltimore/Washington, Chicago (Midway) and Houston (Hobby).

The expanded service comes in response to increased demand from customers and will give AirTran Airways passengers around the country better access to the “Live Music Show Capital of the World.”

The Baltimore/Washington service is on Saturdays; the Chicago flights are Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday;

and the Houston flights are Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.

Branson Airport LLC is the first privately developed and operated commercial service airport in the United States, and is currently served by AirTran Airways, Frontier Airlines and Branson AirExpress.

For more information, visit

www.airtran.com or

www.FlyBranson.com

The Chicago Office of Tourism is promoting spring events and activities in the city.

Free annual spring flower shows are being held at the Lincoln Park Conservatory and Garfield Park Conservatory daily until May 8.

The Chicago Flower and Garden Show will again take place March 5 to 13 at Navy Pier. The 2011 theme, “The Sport of Gardening,” will highlight more than 25 gardens spotlighting top Midwest landscapers, growers, and garden designers.

The Chicago Architecture Foundation is adding new bus and walking tours.

All tours are escorted by foundation docents.

New tours are “Razzle Dazzle: Architecture Tour of Theater District,” “Skyscraper Walk Through Time,” “Inland Steel Building” and “Skyscraper Express Bus.”

The Merchandise Mart will host Artropolis 2011, Chicago’s celebration of art, antiques and culture, April 29 to May 2.

The event includes Art Chicago, NEXT and The Merchandise Mart International Antiques Fair. The Magnificent Mile on Michigan Avenue once again will become home to thousands of tulips May 1 to 31.

For more information, visit www.ExploreChicago.org

Now through April 2011, the Lost Iguana Resort & Spa is offering 20 percent off stays of three nights or more. Surrounded by the rainforest, this 42-room boutique hotel provides guests with easy access to a uniquely local mix of activities, including canopy tours and hot lava stone massage treatments. 

The property has striking views of the active Arenal volcano from each mountainside room. Prices start at $148 per room per night with the High-Season Special savings.

Hidden among 120 acres of primal rainforest, Lost Iguana Resort & Spa offers an up-close look at hundreds of species of flowering plants, ferns, palms, exotic birds and animals. An onsite wildlife guide is available to answer questions and lead strolls along the resort’s private walking trails, while the hotel concierge can book tours for a variety of area activities.
Adventure-seekers can do as “The Bachelor” contestants did and rappel down a waterfall, circle Arenal Volcano in a helicopter, fly through the treetops across 1.7 miles of adrenaline-rushing zip-lines, go horseback riding, explore El Vernado Caverns — home to stalactites, stalagmites, underground streams and a bevy of bats — and soak in local thermal hot springs.

After a day of exploring, guests can sample a wide variety of Costa Rican delights at Lost Iguana’s Blue Hibiscus Restaurant, enjoy a cocktail at the Palapa Bar, or visit the swim-up bar while wading in both the cool and hot fresh water pools.

For those looking to unwind, the hotel’s Golden Gecko Spa features a variety of relaxing treatments from the Hot Stone Massage, incorporating lava stones picked from the nearby rivers, to Sauna Cocoon Wraps using volcanic clay, and Body Polishes employing special blends of essential oils, sea salt and pure cane sugar. Thatched riverside bungalows with fireplaces are used for massages and special treatments. All resort guests have complimentary access to the spa fitness center and saunas.

All standard guest rooms offer upscale amenities including coffee service, mini bars, refrigerators, satellite TV, AC, ceiling fans, one king or two full-size beds and a private balcony with volcano view. In addition, luxury suites, celebrity suites and Las Casitas offer separate dining and sitting areas, Jacuzzi baths and outside garden showers. Complimentary wireless Internet service and computers are available for all guests at the reception area and club cars are always on hand to transport guests to any area on the property as needed.

Lost Iguana Resort & Spa’s High-Season Special saves 20 percent off regular rates. For travel through April 30, pricing starts at $148 per night plus tax for a standard deluxe room double occupancy. Black-out dates apply April 16 to 23.

For reservations or more information, call 011(506) 2267-6148, email maritzalostiguana@mac.com  or visit www.lostiguanaresort.com

Colonial Williamsburg’s Spring Stories Package are available for stays from March 18 to June 16, 2011.

The three-day/two-night package starts at $99 per person, per night. The Spring Stories Package showcases Colonial Williamsburg’s new interactive offerings from fine dining and golf, to the Historic Area’s gardens and exhibits at The Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg.

The package includes nightly accommodations at the Williamsburg Lodge, an Official Colonial Williamsburg Hotel; daily breakfast; length-of-stay admission to Colonial Williamsburg’s Historic Area and Art Museums; and a $100 activities card. Package pricing is based on double occupancy and a two-night stay in a superior guest room with Sunday-Wednesday arrival. Pricing varies with room type and arrival date.

The activities card may be applied toward the Golden Horseshoe Golf Club, The Spa of Colonial Williamsburg, dining in Colonial Williamsburg taverns or restaurants, or shopping at an official, on-site Colonial Williamsburg-owned store.

On May 21 to 22, 2011, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation will host the inaugural Run for the Dream, a weekend-long event featuring a half marathon, an 8K, music, fireworks and more.

For more information, visit www.colonialwilliamsburg.com

Windstar Cruises will host David Gianulias and Todd Rustman, founders of Napa Valley’s Levendi Winery, on Wind Surf’s May 8 Barcelona-to-Rome voyage. Levendi has developed Napa Valley vintages since 1926.

Aboard Wind Surf, Gianulias and Rustman will lecture on the winemaking process and conduct a wine tasting.

In addition to winemaking at Levendi, Rustman is co-founder of GR Capital Asset Management, a financial management firm based in Newport Beach, Calif. Rustman will conduct a lecture on wealth management during the sailing.

The seven-day sailing departs May 8 and visits Palma de Mallorca, Spain; St. Tropez, France; Monte Carlo, Monaco; and Portofino and Livorno, Italy. Cruise fares start at $2,499 per person, double occupancy.

The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is offering a train and dinner package as a way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on March 17, 2011.

Passengers will enjoy a train ride to Cascade Canyon, followed by a traditional Irish dinner at the Palace Restaurant.

The fares in these designated cars will include complimentary non-alcoholic beverages; live Irish music by the Kitchen Jam Band; Irish history talks with local author and historian Duane Smith; and, upon return to Durango, a traditional Irish dinner.

The train departs Durango for Cascade Canyon at 10 a.m. and returns to Durango at 3 p.m. An early dinner will be served at The Palace Restaurant at 4:30 p.m., where the live music will continue. Cars offered for this package are the Deluxe-Class San Juan Car and Standard-Class Vintage Coach.

The San Juan Car, for ages 21 and over, is $109 per person. Standard-Class fare is $89 for adults (ages 12 and over) and $64 for children (ages 4 to 11).

Both classes of service include a private attendant to serve beverages and provide premium amenities.

A cash bar is also available.

All fares are subject to a 4 percent Historic Preservation Fee.

For more information, call 888-872-4607 or visit www.durangotrain.com