Jetsettersblog

The Denver Art Museum is delighted to announce that it is the only venue in the United States for the internationally acclaimed exhibition Yves Saint Laurent: The Retrospective. It will be on show at the museum from March 25 to July 8 2012.

This retrospective of the designer’s 40 years of creativity features a stunning selection of 200 haute couture outfits along with numerous photographs, drawings and films. These illustrate the development of Saint Laurent’s style and the historical foundations of his work.

Organised thematically, the presentation blends design and art to explore the full arc of Saint Laurent’s career from his first days at Dior in 1958 through to the splendour of his final runway collection in 2002.

Highlights include:

The Gender Revolution galleries where visitors will see how Saint Laurent bent (and sometimes broke) the rules of what women were expected to wear impacting on the wardrobe of today’s modern woman

The Yves Saint Laurent and Women section, displaying the clothing of the historic women who wore and supported Saint Laurent, including Princess Grace of Monaco, Catherine Deneuve and Paloma Picasso

The Last Ball section, featuring exquisite evening dresses from the glory days of haute couture complete with a red carpet

The Colours of Yves Saint Laurent gallery, where guests will enjoy vibrant examples from his collections and hundreds of fabric samples

During his 40 years of designing, Saint Laurent (1936-2008) revolutionised the female wardrobe by borrowing the tuxedo, the trouser suit, shorts and the safari jacket from men’s clothing, transferring these symbols of power from one gender to the other. He empowered women with this new form of clothing, turning traditional menswear into haute couture. Saint Laurent reflected women’s changing role in society ahead of any other designer, setting the styles of the day. The show premiered in Paris in 2010 at the Petit Palais, Musee des Beaux-Arts de la Ville de Paris.

Tickets go on sale to the general public on 20 January 2012.

A dozen Denver hotels are offering YSL packages, many of which are now available to book online on the YSL Denver website. Guests who purchase the VIP hotel packages will receive two tickets valid for any date and time along with an audio guide for the exhibition for each room booked. The tickets also allow guests to enter the exhibit at the next available time slot, bypassing any queues.

http://www.visitdenver.com

The launch of Fashion Week is once again upon us with the first shows hitting the runways in New York on 9 February to showcase this year’s Fall / Winter collections. The UK’s online leader in travel deals publishing Cheapflights.co.uk makes its own top picks for long weekends away in some of the world’s most stylish destinations.

“Fashion Week isn’t just about the shows themselves; the destinations where they’re held tend to be buzzing during that week with increased activity and more touristic attractions than usual,” says Nadine Hallak, travel expert for Cheapflights.co.uk.

While London hosts one of the world’s most prominent Fashion Weeks, travellers should take the opportunity to grab a quick escape and see how some of world’s other stylish destinations do it.

New York is always first to kick off the global calendar of the world’s most notable Fashion Weeks. This year’s Fall / Winter shows in the Big Apple will run from 9 to 16 February. opening with a spectacular show starting the afternoon of 9 February known as Fame and Music Unite Rocks Fashion Week. This is where up and coming designers and musical artists showcase their talents in a spectacular show where style meets entertainment. Tickets can be purchased online through TicketLeap and start from £51. Other events include a Pop-Up Art Event Celebrating Beauty-Art Fashion also on 9 February and the Small Boutique Fashion Week 2012 Show & Market showcasing handmade goods on 11 February. Flights to New York during February start from £229 return.

Paris Fashion Week takes place from 28 February to 7 March. Here is the true home of haute couture. Those lucky enough to be invited can witness heavyweights such as the houses of Chanel and Valentino weave their magic across the various runways at the famous Louvre. While non-industry folk are unlikely to either be invited or source tickets some other way, the city is still worth a visit during this time as it glitters even more than usual with the buzz of the fashion world and the arts in general. Its streets turn into a veritable runway of celebrity, and people-watching at its sidewalk cafes is practically a live show in itself. For a guaranteed glimpse of celebrity, head to the bars of Hotel Costes, Mama Shelta’s and Pershang Hall. Travellers should also check out the Louvre itself, take a stroll through the streets of St. Germain or simply unwind with a cruise along the Seine. Flights to Paris in February start from £79 return.

Stepping off the beaten track to a lesser known Fashion Weeks is that of Copenhagen, Denmark, which runs from 1 to 5 February. As well as featuring top Danish and international designers, it’s also of great interest for those who enjoy art and culture. Visitors can attend exhibits such as The Designer’s Nest Exhibition on 2 and 4 February, the Henrik Adamson / Fashion Photography on 2 February and the Shoeshibar & APA Presents on 4 February. Copenhagen is a sophisticated, yet down to earth city, with lots to offer the visitor in terms of world class cuisine, culture and of course, beer! Flights to Copenhagen during February start from £98 return.

Staying off the beaten path is another stylish destination – Istanbul, Turkey, where Fashion Week takes place from 8 to 11 February. The event here showcases mostly Turkish designers, many of whom have studied abroad, including designer Asli Guler who spent some time at London’s Central St. Martin’s, Atil Kutoglu who graduated from Vienna, and Bahar Korcan, who has showcased in New York and Paris. Visitors are exposed to brands they won’t find anywhere else while enjoying the wonderful sights Istanbul has to offer, such as Aya Sofia, shopping at the Grand Bazaar or visiting the Dolmabahce Palace. The city also offers some of the best nightlife in the world in districts such as Beyoglu. Flights to Istanbul in February start from £149 return.

Another less mainstream Fashion Week is that of Belgrade, Serbia taking place from 29 March to 7 April, when domestic and some lesser known designers from abroad showcase their creations in a variety of runway events. In a city like Belgrade, attending the shows is not the main focus. Given that it’s outside the Euro zone, its rate of conversion and low ground costs make it highly affordable for Brits. It also happens to have one of the world’s best up and coming nightlife scenes and like New York, is referred to as a city that never sleeps, making it a great weekend break destination for party lovers. For a mix of bars, restaurants and nightclubs, visitors should try Strahinjića Bana Street, known as one of the city’s fun zones. Culture vultures should head to the Bohemian quarter of Skadarjila, the famous Fortress museum showcasing the city’s history and the municipality of Zemun. Flights to Belgrade during April start from £165 return.

To search and compare flights to these or any other destination, visit http://www.cheapflights.co.uk/

The second Fashion Net Education Center will take place on Feb. 5 in Düsseldorf and is timed to coincide with city’s fashion trade events Premium, Supreme, CPD Signatures, and Showroom Order Days. With this year’s spotlight on Asia’s role in fashion industry innovation, the event offers presentations and seminars about current fashion business topics to trade visitors and is also open to consumers.

Speakers and topics will include Jenny Brucherseifer (Fashion Made in China); Thai designer Pim Sukhahuta (on her label “Sretsis”); industrial designer Jannis Hülsen (Xylimum-Bacteria, Fabric Sources of the Future?); American fashion designer Jean Yu (180 by Jean Yu); and German Gala Magazine’s Fashion Editor Marcus Luft (From Runway to Reality). Düsseldorf’s Tourism Office offers hotel packages, called “Düsseldorf à la Card,” which includes hotel nights, breakfast, free public transportation and more, starting at 49 euros ($63) per person.

Fashion Week Downtown, the winter edition of Amsterdam’s annual fashion festival, will take place in the Dutch capital at the end of this month.

AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS– Comprising a week and a half of fashioned-themed excitement and activities, the event is set to feature launches, parties, exhibitions, shows and more.

Shopaholics who visit the festival will be able to keep up to date with the latest trends in winter fashion by attending shows at the Westergasfabriek conference centre and other locations across the city.

Unlike many events of its kind, Fashion Week Downtown is open to the public via catwalk shows in clubs and bars, retail outlets, museums and even the streets of Amsterdam.

Pop-up stores, art and photography exhibitions and markets will be among the other highlights of the festival, which is set to run from Friday January 20th to Sunday January 29th.

LateRooms.com recommends a huge variety of Amsterdam hotels that may appeal to avid fashionistas keen to attend the festival.

Recommendations include the Inntel Hotels Amsterdam Zaandam, a stylish 160-room hotel that is only a 12-minute train journey from the city centre.

The Amsterdam RAI Congress Centre and Schiphol Airport can also be easily reached from Zaandam train station, which is located next to the hotel.

Further information on Fashion Week Downtown can be found by visiting http://www.amsterdamfashionweek.com/downtown/.

DEFROST YOUR SWIMSUIT

Greater Fort Lauderdale is taking the “Defrost Your Swimsuit” campaign to Toronto, NYC and London.

In November 2011, ten ice blocks with bikinis and board shorts made an appearance in Toronto’s Yonge-Dundas Square during the Santa Claus Parade. And in January 2012 to NYC’s Times Square and London’s financial district. Television, radio, billboards, retail promotions and street teams handing out ice scrapers, with opportunities to win beach getaways to Greater Fort Lauderdale.

Greater “Fork” LAUDERDALE

Casually sophisticated new additions to Las Olas Boulevard include Las Olas Wine Bar with 40 wines by the glass and live music, as well as Cheese Culture, a whey of life.

M Bar Global Tapas features “master cocktailians” and small plates. The coolest restaurant to hit the scene, Tundra, serves crystal clear “chilling spheres” in drinks and “Tundratizer” small plate options with ice flatware.

Pl8, a new restaurant in the Riverwalk Arts & Entertainment District features small “plates.” The latest addition to Fort Lauderdale beach is East End Brasserie, a new traditional French bistro from NYC Chef Steve Zobel, at The Atlantic Resort.

For the love of art

“Offering of the Angels: Old Master Paintings and Tapestries from the Uffizi Gallery” from Florence, Italy, makes its American debut at The Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale, November 19, 2011-April 8, 2012. Broadway Across America returns to the Broward Center for the Performing Arts with Beauty and the Beast (Nov.), Cirque Dreams Holidaze (Dec.) Jersey Boys (Jan.), Billy Elliot The Musical (Feb./Mar.), South Pacific (Apr.), and La Cage Aux Folles (June). Alice Cooper and Paul Simon appear at Hard Rock Live in December. BankAtlantic Center welcomes back Andrea Bocelli (Feb. 14) and Roger Waters (June 15).

Kid Lauderdale

The EcoDiscovery Center debuted at the Museum of Discovery and Science on 11/11/11 with an exciting outdoor otter habitat, simulated Everglades airboat ride and interactive prehistoric dig pit, highlighting the fragile Florida environment.

In Spring 2012, Young At Art Museum unveils its new $26.5 million, 57,000 sq. ft. gold-LEED certified facility with galleries including CultureScapes, GreenScapes WonderScapes and ArtScapes. For the adventurous kid at heart, the new Wonderdome indoor, activity-based, family fun center fuses modern play technology and kid-friendly fun.

FIT LAUDERDALE

Get, feel and stay fit on your Greater Fort Lauderdale getaway. With Blue Wave beaches as your outdoor fitness center, it is easy to keep that New Year’s resolution and get swimsuit ready in Fit Lauderdale.

Yoga-board on the Atlantic.

Bike by the beach.

Workout at a Lauderdale Luxe spa.

Run February’s A1A marathon.

Paddleboard or surf, golf or salsa dance and savor healthy fare.

Broward’s new B Cycle bike sharing program, lets riders from Hallandale Beach to Pompano Beach access public bicycles for short trips around town.

VERY ACCOMMODATING

From luxury beach resorts to Superior Small Lodgings, Greater Fort Lauderdale boasts 34,000 hotel rooms from Hallandale Beach to Deerfield Beach. Book online at sunny.org or on Facebook.com/VisitLauderdale and receive a FREE “Beach Starter Kit,” including a beach towel, beach ball and flip flops.

New hotels and recent renovations include:

Coming soon to Hollywood Beach, a new $130 million, 349-room, Margaritaville Resort along the Broadwalk at Johnson Street. Opening in 2014, it will include a 15,000 sq. ft. Margaritaville Café, rooftop pool as well as pools at beach level, meeting space of 35,000 sq. ft. that can accommodate 800 people, a 1,000 car parking garage, boat dock and more. A revamp of the Broadwalk’s famed Bandshell amphitheater and a new lawn for events and concerts are planned.

The newly renamed Bahia Mar Fort Lauderdale Beach – a DoubleTree by Hilton hotel is an iconic, oceanside retreat undergoing an enhancement program of its 296 guest rooms and suites and signature 8,200 sq. ft. Commodore Ballroom.

Renovated rooms will feature a light and airy décor with floor-to-ceiling water views and splashes of citrus color accents.

WE LOVE CRUISERS

Cruise passengers can stretch their vacations and their budgets with Greater Fort Lauderdale’s cruise and play deals.

Discover complimentary transfers from hotels, hotel deals, and special prices on excursions to the Everglades.

Sawgrass Mills launched a premier bag storage and shipping program, allowing shoppers to drop off their purchases at one of three convenient locations throughout the mall to either send their bags directly to the airport or have them shipped home. A new pre-post cruise video is available to see why Greater “Port” Lauderdale is your first port of call. www.sunny.org/cruiseandplay

FREE E-BOOKS FOR VISITORS

Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport has paired with Broward County Libraries to offer travelers free access to 15,000+ downloadable e-books for smart phones or e-readers, with a scan of a Quick Response (QR) code displayed on screens in baggage claim areas. The e-books are a gift and never expire. Happy reading!

JUST FOR GROUPS: LAUDERDALE CONVENTION COLLECTION

Book any of the six hotels of the Lauderdale Convention Collection, and enjoy the attention of Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB’s Sunsational Service Team to coordinate transportation, marketing and beyond. Hotels include: Embassy Suites Fort Lauderdale, Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina, Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty-Six, Renaissance Fort Lauderdale Port Everglades, Sheraton Fort Lauderdale Beach.

Visit sunny.org/lcc for sunny savings when booking June 15-Oct 15, 2012-2014.

Added benefits: Free event space at the Convention Center; one-hour welcome reception at Convention Center; one-hour Board of Directors reception; 10% discount off services such as F & B, electric, a/v, internet and security staffing; advance marketing assistance at the previous year’s event.

GET SOCIAL WITH US

Put Greater Fort Lauderdale in the palm of your hand with the new Sunny.org mobi site. Find hotel and dining deals, maps and virtual Vacation Playbook and Meeting Planners Guide for iPad. Like us on Facebook.com/VisitLauderdale or follow our tweets on Twitter.com/Visitlauderdale and find tips on Foursquare.com/VisitLauderdale  to stay in the know.

in Spring 2012
VIP Hotel Packages Available At Luxury Hotels

Denver, CO – Paris. Madrid. Denver. The internationally acclaimed exhibit Yves Saint Laurent: The Retrospective will make its only North American stop at the Denver Art Museum, March 25 – July 8, 2012. This sweeping retrospective of the designer’s 40 years of creativity features a stunning selection of 200 haute couture outfits along with numerous photographs, drawings, and films that illustrate the development of Saint Laurent’s style and the historical foundations of his work.

Organized thematically, the presentation melds design and art to explore the full arc of Saint Laurent’s career, from his first days at Dior in 1958 through the splendor of his final runway collection in 2002. Highlights include:

The Gender Revolution galleries, where visitors will see how Saint Laurent bent (and sometimes broke) the rules of what women were expected to wear crafting the wardrobe for today’s modern woman;

The Yves Saint Laurent and Women section, displaying the clothing of the historic women who wore and supported Saint Laurent, including Catherine Deneuve, Princess Grace of Monaco, and Paloma Picasso;

The Last Ball section, featuring exquisite evening dresses from the glory days of haute couture complete with a red carpet;

and the Colors of Yves Saint Laurent gallery, where guests will enjoy vibrant examples from his collections and hundreds of fabric samples.

Denver Hotels Create Yves Saint Laurent:

The Retrospective VIP Packages

A dozen Mile High City hotels are offering Yves Saint Laurent: The Retrospective VIP packages, many of which are now available to book online on the YSL Denver website. Guests who purchase the VIP hotel packages will receive two tickets valid for any date and time along with an audio guide for the stunning exhibition for each room booked.

The tickets allow guests to enter the exhibit at the next available time slot, completely bypassing any lines.

Participating hotels include: The Brown Palace Hotel & Spa; the Comfort Inn; Four Seasons Hotel Denver; Grand Hyatt Denver; Hilton Garden Inn – Denver Cherry Creek; Hotel Monaco Denver; Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center; JW Marriott Denver Cherry Creek; The Ritz-Carlton Denver; Sheraton Denver Downtown; The Curtis; and the Westin Downtown Denver.

Each hotel offers additional fashionable amenities with their Yves Saint Laurent: The Retrospective VIP package, such as:

The Four Seasons Denver’s Parisian Pampering Package includes two VIP tickets to see the exhibit, a $40 credit toward brunch or lunch at EDGE Restaurant and a $100 credit to be pampered at The Spa at Four Seasons, not to mention a special YSL Beauty sample courtesy of Neiman Marcus.

The JW Marriott Denver’s Cherry Creek Couture Getaway includes two VIP exhibit tickets, a $100 Cherry Creek North shopping gift card, a $25 credit at the JW’s Second Home Kitchen + Bar and complimentary valet parking.

The Ritz Carlton Denver’s Haute Heights Package includes two VIP tickets, a choice of four fashion-inspired spa treatments and a YSL-inspired amenity upon arrival – a sweet chocolate stiletto or Sultry ‘LBD’ cocktail (Champagne/Chambord/St. Germain garnished with a black grape)

Yves Saint Laurent: The Retrospective is organized by the Fondation Pierre Bergé – Yves Saint Laurent in collaboration with the Denver Art Museum. Funding is provided by the citizens who support the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District and the generous donors to the Annual Fund Leadership Campaign.

About The Denver Art Museum

The Denver Art Museum is a private, nonprofit, educational resource for Colorado. The mission of the museum is to enrich the lives of Colorado and Rocky Mountain residents through the acquisition, preservation and presentation of artworks in both the permanent collections and temporary exhibitions, and by supporting these works with exemplary educational and scholarly programs. The Denver Art Museum is located on 13th Avenue between Broadway and Bannock Streets in downtown Denver. Open Tuesday-Thursday and Saturday-Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Friday 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; closed Mondays, Thanksgiving and Christmas. General admission for Colorado residents: $10 adults, $8 seniors and students, $3 for visitors 6-18, free for children 5 and younger. Admission for non-Colorado residents: $13 for adults, $10 for seniors and students, $5 for visitors 6-18, free for children 5 and younger.

For information in Spanish, call 720-913-0169. For more information, visit the Denver Art Museum online or call 720-865-5000.

About VISIT DENVER, The Convention & Visitors Bureau
Celebrating more than 100 years of promoting the Mile High City, VISIT DENVER is a nonprofit trade association that contracts with the City of Denver to market Denver as a convention and leisure destination, increasing economic development in the city, creating jobs and generating taxes. A record 12.7 million visitors stayed overnight in Denver in 2010, generating $3 billion in spending, while supporting nearly 50,000 jobs, making Tourism the second largest industry in Denver. Learn more about Denver on the VISITDENVER website and at TOURISMPAYSDENVER, on Twitter @visitdenver and the VISIT DENVER Facebook page, or by phone at 800 2 DENVER.

The New Year has arrived, and the capital is ready for what is set to be it’s most spectacular year so far. With a whole host of special events, captivating exhibitions and much much more, London is more magical than ever before.

Attractions

New Afternoon Olympic Walk
A new Afternoon Olympic Walk will launch in January, building on the success of the acclaimed Daily Olympic Walk run by London’s Blue Badge Tourist Guides. This walk takes a new route, finishing at Stratford station and operates on Tuesdays and Fridays from Bromley-by-Bow tube station at 13.30. For more information visit www.toursof2012sites.com

Stratford 2012 Games Walk
Launching January 2012
The London Borough of Newham will be launching a new audio walk in map and audio format – which will be downloadable free of charge and will give visitors information on the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The walk will include key sites for spectacular views over the Olympic Park. For more information or to download a guide visit www.newham.com/walks

Exhibitions

Quentin Blake – As large as life
Foundling Museum, 12 January – 15 April 2012
Quentin Blake is one of Britain’s best-loved and most successful illustrators, most famous for illustrating stories by Roald Dahl. This exhibition of over sixty works will enable visitors to reflect on artists’ continuing contribution to hospitals and child welfare. The four series of pictures by Blake will be displayed throughout the Foundling Museum. For more information contact Gemma Colgan on 0207 841 3614 / gemma@foundlingmuseum.org.uk

Form and Matter: Alberto Burri
Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art, opening 13 January 2012
This is the first major retrospective of Alberto Burri’s (1915-1995) work to be held in the United Kingdom. Burri is a towering figure of abstraction whose work revolutionised the artistic vocabulary of the post-war art world. The exhibit offers a comprehensive overview of Burri’s achievement through some forty powerful works spanning four decades, ranging from rare, early figurative pieces from the late 1940s to the ground-breaking abstract works for which he is best known. For more information contact Sue Bond on 01359 271085 / info@suebond.co.uk

Scott’s Last Expedition
Natural History Museum, 20 January – 2 September 2012
Explore Robert Falcon Scott’s epic Terra Nova expedition to Antarctica in a new exhibition at London’s Natural History Museum. Scott’s Last Expedition will reveal the powerful tales of endurance and the many scientific achievements. The Terra Nova returned from Antarctica with crates, jars and bottles containing a large number of zoological and geological specimens, contributing to what is now known about the continent. The exhibition reunites for the first time real artefacts used by Scott and his team together with scientific specimens collected on the 1910-1913 expedition. Visitors can also walk around a life-size representation of Scott’s base-camp hut that still survives in Antarctica. For more information contact the press team on 020 7942 5000 / press@nhm.ac.uk

David Hockney RA: A Bigger Picture
Royal Academy of Arts, 21 January – 9 April 2012
In January 2012 the Royal Academy of Arts will present the first major exhibition in the UK to showcase David Hockney’s landscape work. Vivid paintings inspired by Yorkshire landscape, many large in scale and created specifically for the exhibition, will be shown alongside related drawings and films. Through a selection of works spanning fifty years, this new body of work will be placed in the context of Hockney’s extended exploration of and fascination with landscape. For more information contact Maria Salvatierra on 020 7300 5729 / Maria.Salvatierra@royalacademy.org.uk

Natalia Dolgova: Icons of Faith & Fate
Gallery 8, 24 – 28 January 2012
Over twenty extraordinary new paintings by the Siberian-born artist Natalia Dolgova are to be exhibited at Gallery 8, St James’s in January. This display presents a sensational series of images of women – many inspired by ancient legends – playing with their fate, shown through symbolic icons and imagery. The human spirit, the female character in particular, and its relationship to nature is the central theme. For more information contact Antonia Phillips on 01273 488996 / antonia@artsinform.co.uk

Ori Gersht: This Storm Is What We Call Progress
Imperial War Museum, 25 January – 29 April 2012
This is a significant new exhibition of work by the Israeli-born, London-based artist Ori Gersht. The display, opening at the start of IWM London’s Holocaust Memorial Day commemorations, consists of two recent film works that reflect on individuals’ life experiences which were shaped by the Second World War. These will be shown alongside new photographs. For more information contact Nina Smetek on 020 7091 3069 / nsmetek@iwm.org.uk

Golden Spider Silk
V & A Museum, 25 January – 5 June 2012
The only large textiles in the world to have been created from the silk of spiders will go on display at the V&A in January 2012. The four metre long woven textile was made from the silk of more than a million female Golden Orb Weaver spiders collected in the highlands of Madagascar. The hand-woven brocaded textile is naturally golden in colour and took over four years to create. It will be shown together with a new golden cape, currently being woven and embroidered in Madagascar, which will go on public display for the very first time at the V&A. The new piece has been created in the form of a cape, decorated with a wealth of complex embroidered and appliquéd motifs celebrating the spider in myth and metaphor. For more information contact Rebecca Ward on 020 7613 / press@rebeccaward.co.uk

The Hajj: journey to the heart of Islam
British Museum, 26 January – 15 April 2012
This exhibition will explore the purpose, history and context of the sacred pilgrimage to Mecca/Makkah (the Hajj) and its significance to Muslims, from its beginnings to the present day. The rituals surrounding Hajj, the pilgrims’ journeys, and the importance of Mecca itself will be explored through a diverse selection of objects from collections across the UK and Europe. For more information contact Esme Wilson on 020 7323 8394 / ewilson@britishmuseum.org

Migrations
Tate Britain, 31 January – 12 August 2012
This exhibition will explore British art through the theme of migration from 1500 to the present day, reflecting the remit of Tate Britain Collection displays. From the sixteenth and seventeenth century Flemish and Dutch landscape and still-life painters who came to Britain in search of new patrons, through moments of political and religious unrest, to Britain’s current position within the global landscape, the exhibition will reveal how British art has been fundamentally shaped by successive waves of migration. For more information contact the
press office on 020 7887 8730 / pressoffice@tate.org.uk

Events

Chinese New Year 2012 Celebration – Year of the Dragon
Various locations, 29 January 2012
The actual Chinese New Year day will fall on 23 January, with the London celebrations taking place on 29 January in Trafalgar Square Leicester Square, Chinatown and Shaftesbury Avenue. The action kicks off when the Chinese New Year Parade winds its way around Chinatown and the West End, before heading to Trafalgar Square where the main stage will come to life with dance, acrobatics and live music. Shaftesbury Avenue will boast another live stage which will showcase the cultural talents of local community groups and schools. Visitors can also get up close and personal with the lion dancers that will be touring the streets of Chinatown. The entire area will be decked out with special decorations and market stalls, so don’t miss out on most spectacular event of the Chinese calendar. For more information contact Becki Willis on becki.willis@fourcommunications.com

Theatre, Film and Entertainment

Dickens on Film
BFI Southbank and other venues, January 2012
Dickens on Film will be the largest retrospective ever staged of film and TV works based on or inspired by Charles Dickens. The three-month season will premiere at the BFI Southbank in London in January 2012 and will embark on a national and international tour thereafter. For more information visit www.dickens2012.org

Strictly Gershwin
London Coliseum, 4 – 15 January 2012
Strictly Gershwin was premiered in 2008 at the Royal Albert Hall and continues English National Ballet’s hugely popular and successful series of in-the-round ballet presentations. Strictly Gershwin is a dazzling homage to George Gershwin, the big band era and the glamour of musical motion pictures. Gershwin’s timeless classics are combined with Derek Deane’s choreography and Roberta Guidi di Bagno’s designs to conjure up the Hollywood genius and glamour of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. The full Company of 67 dancers will tap, twirl, jeté and glide their way through a series of Gershwin classics performed by a live jazz orchestra designed to get the toes tapping. For more information contact Rachel Branton on 020 7581 1245 / Rachel.Branton@ballet.org.uk

London A Capella Festival
Kings Place, 12 – 14 January 2012
Back by popular demand, the Swingle Sisters return to lead a fabulous line-up for the third London A Capella Festival, a showcase for exciting international vocal talent. This year, King’s Place will welcome the beatboxing Boxettes, the Finnish vocal glam-rock group Fork, and the Canadian Rat Pack Cadence. For more information contact MacBeth Media Relations on 020 7700 5959 / enquiries@macbethmediarelations.co.uk

Hofesh Shechter & Antony Gormley: Survivor
Barbican Centre, 12 – 14 January 2012
Hofesh Shechter turns composer to join forces with sculptor Antony Gormley for one of the cultural events of the season. Survivor has an original new score by Shechter set within a visual landscape by Gormley. Together they determine the rhythm and narrative of the work. Shechter composes the scores and focuses his creative energy on the music and its performance. For more information contact Lorna Gemmell on 020 7382 7417 / lorna.gemmell@barbican.org.uk

She Stoops to Conquer
National Theatre, press night 31 January 2012 continuing in repertoire
One of the great, generous-hearted and ingenious comedies of the English language, Oliver Goldsmith’s She Stoops to Conquer offers a celebration of chaos, courtship and the dysfunctional family. Directed by Jamie Lloyd and starring Katherine Kelly and Steve Pemberton. For more information contact Becky Sayer on 020 7452 3233 / bsayer@nationaltheatre.org.uk

Umoja
Peacock Theatre, 31 January – Sunday 19 February 2012
Umoja is a musical celebration of South African song and dance. Originally created by Todd Twala and Thembi Nyandeni as a way of a reminding a new generation of South Africans of their heritage, it has gone on to win critical plaudits and collect multiple awards and has been seen by over four million people since its premiere in 2000. From the potent rhythms of tribal music to the pounding energy of contemporary kwaito, Umoja unites 30 singers, dancers, drummers, marimba players and musicians, who represent the best of South Africa’s young performers. For more information contact Caroline Ansdell on 020 7863 8125 / Caroline.ansdell@sadlerswells.com

Shopping, Restaurants and Nightlife

Le Cordon Bleu London
Bloomsbury Square, Opens January 2012
A new chapter begins as the London school of culinary arts moves to its new international flagship premises, located in the heart of London. The building design will feature state-of-the-art kitchen and classroom facilities offering students the latest opportunities in culinary education. A new range of gourmet short courses will also be on offer and an on-site patisserie will give visitors the chance to sample high quality goods direct from the Le Cordon Bleu kitchens. Founded on a rich history of tradition, Le Cordon Bleu has been dedicated to sharing its wealth of knowledge and passion for the culinary arts for over 115 years. For more information contact Marie-Anne Taillon on 020 7935 3503 / mtaillon@cordonbleu.edu

Hotels

Stupendous Afternoon Tea
Radisson Edwardian Mercer Street Hotel
To welcome Matilda the Musical to London’s Cambridge Theatre, the Mercer Street Hotel will be serving a ‘Stupendous Afternoon Tea’. The pre-show afternoon tea, at the hotel’s exclusive Dial Bar, will offer tea-time treats for both young and old, including honey ham sandwiches, ludicrously lovely lemon loaf cake, tremendously terrific trifle and fantastic fondue. A selection of traditional scones, sandwiches and teas are also available. In addition, each child will be given a complimentary copy of Roald Dahl’s adored classic to take away with them. For more information contact Paul Charles on 020 7349 7059 / mercerstreet@verypcc.com

Pierre Koffmann’s Dinner Club
The Berkeley, January 2012
Celebrated Chef Pierre Koffmann will be offering a new Dinner Club in his restaurant Koffmann’s starting January 2012. During the dinner club, Pierre will cook some of his favourite family-style dishes which are shared by the guests seated at one large table. There are 4 Dinner Clubs per year. For more information contact Simon Neggers on 020 7201 1618 / sneggers@the-berkeley.co.uk

The Galette de Rois
The Connaught, 6 January 2012
Highly acclaimed French chef, Helene Darroze will be offering her delicious Galette de Rois, the traditional French cake eaten to celebrate Epiphany, which marks the arrival of the Three Kings of the nativity story. Helene will offer the cake in Espelette restaurants as part of the Connaught’s afternoon tea. The Galette de Rois is also for sale at the hotel for people to serve at home. For more information contact Simon Neggers on 020 7201 1618 / sneggers@the-berkeley.co.uk

For more on what’s on in London go to www.visitlondon.com

Fenton Barns, East Lothian

The recently launched Belinda Robertson’s Cashmere Barn offers visitors the chance to indulge themselves with a large range of cashmere products at bargain prices. They also have a rota of other luxury brands, such as Baby B Cashmere, Beggs of Ayrshire as well as lingerie from La Perla, Stella McCartney and Elle MacPherson courtesy of Boudiche. Only opened in October, this unexpected gem gives customers the chance to find huge discounts of up to 75% on end of range stock and samples in a beautifully rural setting.

As the official cashmere supplier to the British Open 2011 men can also scoop golf jumpers branded with the famous claret jug.

www.cashmerebarn.com

Celebrate in Chicago with Festive Events in November and December 2011

CHICAGO – With its glittering lights and joyous atmosphere, Chicago is a delightful winter wonderland. The city’s downtown and neighborhoods shine brightly this time of year, inviting visitors and locals alike to join in the holiday spirit. From special holiday exhibitions and performances to popular annual traditions like the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival® and the Daley Plaza Christmas Tree to celebrations of Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, there is no better place than Chicago to experience the magic of the holidays and welcome the winter season.

For event details and more information on visiting Chicago during the festive November and December months, visitwww.ExploreChicago.org. Admission for the listings below are FREE unless otherwise noted.

ANNUAL TRADITIONS

Millennium Park: McCormick Tribune Ice Rink
November 18 through March 11, 2012 (weather permitting)

Kick off Chicago’s winter season with a fun-filled day of ice skating. The rink, now in its 11th season and drawing more than 100,000 skaters annually, is free and open to the public. Skate rental is available for $10.

Magnificent Mile Lights Festival® presented by BMO Harris Bank
November 19

The holiday fun begins at 11am with a day full of live musical performances, celebrity entertainers and family friendly activities along Lights Festival Lane at Pioneer Court. Mickey and Minnie Mouse serve as grand marshals of the evening parade, magically illuminating more than one million lights on 200 trees along The Magnificent Mile®. The parade, which features more than 30 spectacular floats, balloons and marching bands, begins at 5:30pm and is followed by a spectacular fireworks show over the Chicago River at 6:55pm.

Daley Plaza: Chicago Christmas Tree and Lighting Ceremony
November 23

Presented by The City of Chicago and Underwriters Laboratories (UL), the 98th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony is a highly-anticipated event drawing people of all ages to the heart of Chicago’s downtown Loop. Live performances and festive holiday music begin at 4:30pm and the holiday season officially commences at 5:00pm, when the switch is flipped and the lights begin to sparkle in Daley Plaza.

Daley Plaza: UL Santa House
November 23 through December 24

Visit with Santa Claus, enjoy interactive activities and have your picture taken at the UL Santa House, a replica of Santa’s workshop where children can experience the wonder of the North Pole this holiday season.

Chicago Holiday Season/ADD ONE

Daley Plaza: Christkindlmarket Chicago
November 23 through December 24

Experience a traditional German Christmas inspired by the famous Nuremberg Christmas market dating back to 1545. Visitors will find Chicago’s iconic Picasso sculpture surrounded by red and white crested huts glowing with warmth and overflowing with curios. Daley Plaza is transformed at this outdoor market offering exquisite handmade gifts, unique ornaments and German delicacies like brats, goulash, potato pancakes, cookies and Gluhwein (a warm spiced wine).

McDonald’s® Thanksgiving Parade
November 24

Ronald McDonald, Santa and a cast of thousands march down State Street as over 400,000 people line the route from Congress Parkway to Randolph Street. Whether you’re gazing at the gigantic helium balloons, moving to the beat of the marching bands or waving at the entertainers in decorative floats, there is fun for all at the biggest holiday parade in the city and the only one in Chicago to feature inflatable balloons every year.

Continue reading Chicago Dazzles this Winter Holiday Season!…

“You Are Now Free to” … Roam Local; New Walking Tours Explore San Francisco Neighborhoods

Local historian Ryan Curtis has created four walking adventures which combine some of the lesser known neighborhoods of San Francisco with ones that are more famous.

Averaging three-to-four-miles in length, the tours include Bernal Heights; a loop through the Castro and Mission districts; Telegraph Hill and the old waterfront, and “Four Peaks” which traverses the Castro and Eureka Valley. Stairs and hills figure prominently in each of the tours. Along the way Curtis shares historic images of the areas visited on his iPad and will accommodate requests to make reservations at local restaurants. Tours are $30 per person and reservations are recommended.

For information visit www.roamlocal.com .

The Real SF Tour Expands Offerings with New Wine Bars and Cable Cars Tour

Wine Bars and Cable Cars, a new nightlife tour offered by The Real SF Tour, includes visits to four wine bars, linked by short walks and cable car rides. Among the wine bars visited are the acclaimed Press Club, which offers sleek urban design and showcases two local wineries each month; 54 Mint, a charming and rustic homage to Italy’s finest wine growing regions; Russian Hill’s Café Meuse, where the tables are made from repurposed wine crates, and Amelie, a modern wine bar with French flair.

The premium tour is $150 per person and includes a flight of three, two-ounce premium pre-selected wines at each location; shared gourmet food platters with Italian cured meats, select cheeses and a variety of artisan breads, and cable car fares.

Currently available on Thursday and Friday nights only; call for additional availability on Tuesday-Wednesday and Saturday.

For reservations visit www.therealsftour.com  or call 888-9-SF-TOUR.

Be a Spy in the City: Foxhound Urban Adventures Offers San Francisco Visitors and Locals a High-Tech Spy Game Surrounded by Landmarks and Attractions
Known for beautiful scenery, waterfront promenades and diverse neighborhoods, San Francisco is the “game board” for a new high-tech spy game. Foxhound Urban Adventures pits two teams representing opposing “secret” agendas against each other.

The tour called Jericho San Francisco is one part walking tour, one part treasure hunt and one part laser-tag married to an exciting story of espionage.

The debut tour, “Operation Rendition,” casts players in a story of two countries attempting to track down a mole who knows state secrets. Taken on a tour of the city which includes settings such as Union Square, Chinatown, North Beach and Fisherman’s Wharf, each team is equipped with some spy gear including long-range walkie-talkies, rearview sunglasses, a map and an Electronic Tag Unit (ETU), Foxhound’s name for a laser tag gun (disguised as a satchel, of course). Each team is also given a secretly disguised video camera (hidden in a watch, sunglasses, etc). Advance reservations required; $75 per person.

Custom adventures available for groups of 10. For information visit www.foxhoundua.com  or call 415-439-0429.

ACsailingSF Offers America’s Cup Sailing Experience on San Francisco Bay

As the San Francisco Bay Area prepares for the arrival of the 34th America’s Cup, visitors will have an opportunity to sail on a former America’s Cup racing yacht.

For those with a craving for speed, adrenalin, and the latest America’s Cup technology, sign up for a ride on the 85-foot, 20-passenger USA 76, the ORACLE Racing challenger for the 2003 America’s Cup. Public sailing on San Francisco Bay and charters for corporate events are available now.

For information visit www.acsailingsf.com  or call 855-ACSF-2013 (855-227-3201).

Grub Crawl Combines Local Restaurant Specialties with Neighborhood Sights and Making Friends

Inspired by a trip to Europe where guided pub crawls brought groups of people to a series of pubs, bars and clubs all in one night, the founders of Grub Crawl brought the idea home with them and created Grub Crawl, a walking social food tour in and around the San Francisco Bay Area.

Grub Crawlers are taken to a series of restaurants and everyone tastes the best dishes each restaurant has to offer, all in one night. Just think of it as “1 crawl. 3 restaurants. Infinite fun.” Current “crawls” are three hours and include “Grubbing Like a Giant,” which takes place in the vicinity of AT&T Park and includes a tour of the ballpark; “Munching in the Mission,” and “Grub the Mission ‘Dish-trict.”

Fees range from $40 to $50 per person depending on the tour.

Advance reservations are required; minimum group size is 10; group rates available.

Departures are daily at 6 p.m. Monday-Thursday, except for “Grubbing Like A Giant” where day and time vary.

For information visit www.grubcrawl.com  or call 415-515-6256.

Baseballs and Boats: New AT&T Ballpark Tour and Ride The Ducks

Combo Tour Offered Every Friday Through End of Giants Season 2011
A behind-the-scenes tour of AT&T ballpark, home of the World Champion San Francisco Giants, and a “splash down” into McCovey Cove are among the highlights of a new “combo” city tour being offered by Ride The Ducks.

The $50, two-and-a-half-hour tour departs at noon from Fisherman’s Wharf or at 12:45 p.m. from AT&T Park. The tour is available only on Fridays. Advance reservations are required and are available by calling 800-225-2277 or by visiting the AT&T Park tours page at www.sfgiants.com. Tickets may also be purchased at any Giants Dugout store location.

Red And White Fleet Launches California Twilight Cruise Nov. 10, 2011

Starting Nov. 10, 2011 Red and White Fleet will launch a California Twilight Cruise. On this casual two-hour cruise, passengers will enjoy views of the city’s spectacular nightscape, live guitar entertainment, light appetizers from the buffet and a hot or cold beverage from the bar.

The cruise will skirt the dramatically lit skyline of San Francisco with its modern skyscrapers and historic landmarks, pass Alcatraz and cruise under the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge and the legendary Golden Gate Bridge. Advance bookings are recommended as this event will sell out on some evenings. A full bar with drinks, snacks and merchandise is available onboard. Fares are $54 for adults (18-plus) and $36 for youth (ages 5-17). Children under five are free. Departures from Pier 43½ , Fisherman’s Wharf, are on Thursday-Saturday at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 10, 2011 to March 24, 2012.

For information visit www.redandwhitefleet.com  or call 415-673-2900.

Cable Car Fares on San Francisco’s Increased to $6 Effective July 1, 2011
Something for all the guidebook editors out there to note — on July 1, 2011 fares on San Francisco’s famous cable cars increased from $5 to $6. There was no increase in adult cash fares which remain at $2 for streetcars, buses, Muni Metro LRVs and the historic F-Line streetcars.

Full details on all Muni fares are posted at www.sfmta.org

CityPassLaunches Mobile Site for Budget Travelers on the Go CityPass has launched a mobile version of its website (www.citypass.com) which lets travelers compare prices, read reviews, research attractions, watch destination videos and get directions, visitor tips and maps. The new site works with iPhones, iPod touch devices and Android smartphones. The first phase of the mobile site also lets travelers purchase CityPass ticket booklets; CityPass packages admission to top attractions into one easy-to-use and deeply discounted ticket booklet for 11 destinations including San Francisco. For information visit their banner above, the big long one.