Jetsettersblog

Forget the recession and have a Hakuna Matata evening with an exquisite and colorful performance of the Lion King at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

The Pride of Mandalay Bay, with music by Elton John and Tim Rice – how can the pride’s youthful cub Simba go wrong. With exceptional staging and soulful drumming, Simba’s uncle Scar assures that the naïve lion cub is denied the throne as Lion King after Simba’s father, Mifasa dies violently in the elephant graveyard.

Simba is outcast and for years wanders in the jungle with his new mates, an adamant warthog and spooky cheetah. As an adult Simba roams the perimeter of the Pridelands until he finds out the truth about the death of his father – and his uncle Scar.

Will Simba ascend to the throne of the Pride Rock? Will he recapture the love of his live, Nala? Will the oracle of the Rafiki Tree be fulfilled?

I exceptionally enjoyed the staging of the falling water in the gorge scene and the colorful silhouettes of the rhythm of the wildlife across the savannas, and the adroit reticulating giraffes. The humor of Rafiki was most delightful, played by Buyi Zama, who has won numerous international awards for her singing.

The puppetry and dance sequences are choreographed by many behind-the-scenes Tony Award winners and nominees. With the music sequences woven into the story by exceptional singers and dancers, The Lion King is sure to delight all members of the family.

The Disney Theatrical Production is certain to take your mind off the recession, because after all, Hakuna Matata in Swahili basically means “no problems”.

For a full version feature with colorful photos, please read the Jetsetters Magazine feature about The Lion King at Mandalay Bay.

Disney’s The Lion King—now in its twelfth sold-out year on Broadway—opened in Las Vegas at Mandalay Bay on May 15, 2009.

Worldwide, The Lion King is the winner of over 40 major awards, including: six 1998 Tony Awards, including Best Musical; eight Drama Desk Awards; six Los Angeles Ovation Awards; six New York Outer Critics Circle Awards; three Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards; two Laurence Olivier Awards; the London Evening Standard Award for 1999 Theatrical Event of the Year; the New York Drama Critics Award for Best Musical; a 1998 Theatre World Award; the Astaire Award for Outstanding Choreography; a Drama League Award; and a 1999 Grammy® Award for Best Musical Show Album.

Director Julie Taymor became the first woman in Broadway history to win the Tony Award for Best Director of a Musical. Taymor, along with Michael Curry, created hundreds of masks and puppets for The Lion King. Choreography is by Garth Fagan, scenic design is by Richard Hudson, costume design is by Julie Taymor and lighting design is by Donald Holder.

The book has been adapted by Roger Allers, who co-directed the animated film and Irene Mecchi, who co-wrote the screenplay for The Lion King. The score features Elton John and Tim Rice’s music from the animated film along with three new songs by John and Rice, additional musical material by South African Lebo M, Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, Julie Taymor and Hans Zimmer.

Tickets can be purchased by visiting the Mandalay Bay Box Office online at

www.mandalaybay.com/entertainment

Specials that are offered with your Lion King ticket stub while at the Mandalay Bay include:

Receive 20% off at Lupo from your total restaurant check when you present your Lion King ticket sub to your server.

The menu at Trattoria del Lupo is inspired by the regions of Rome, Tuscany, and Emilia-Romagna.  The Wolfgang Puck restaurant at Mandalay Bay has an innovative touch that includes gamberetti e facioli, sautéed shrimp with rosemary and garcis accented white beans, osso buco, slow-braised veal shank with ricotta gnocchi and broccolini; and zappole, a ricotta doughnut with vanilla and caramel dipping sauces.

The spacious bar surrounds a wine room; the indoor patio is ideal for people watching.

For reservations: www.wolfgangpuck.com  or call 702/740-5522.

Big Island Film Festival is proud to announce that John Cruz and his heart-strumming slack key will take the stage for “Best of the Fest,” Sunday, May 16, 2010.

ISLAND OF HAWAII — Music and movie magic go hand in hand in Hawaii, and the Big Island Film Festival is proud to announce that John Cruz and his heart-strumming slack key will take the stage for “Best of the Fest,” Sunday, May 16, 2010.

A lifetime Hawaiian musician from Palolo Valley on Oahu, Cruz serenaded four galas during President Obama’s inauguration. Acclaimed by Hawaii Magazine as 2008’s Best Singer Songwriter for his premiere CD, Cruz’s second album, “One of These Days” hit #1 in Hawaii, #2 on the Billboard Heatseekers Chart for the Pacific Region and #6 on the Billboard World Chart and won the Na Hoku Hanohano Award for Contemporary Album of the Year.

Cruz is the official spokesman for Sprint Hawaii’s Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation which donates free ukuleles to school music programs in need. He visits classrooms and gives surprise performances to inspire kids to achieve and believe in themselves.

No stranger to the big screen, Cruz is the subject of the documentary film “Made of Music – The Story of John Cruz,” which debuted at the Louis Vuitton Hawaii International Film Festival in Honolulu, and was honored with the Aloha Visionary Filmmaker Award at the Molokai Film Festival. Jack Johnson, Jackson Browne, Kelly Slater and Jake Shimabukuro add color and insight to an already powerful story.

The Big Island “Talk Story” Film Festival takes place May 12-16, 2010 at Mauna Lani Resort, “on location” in two luxury hotels, retail shopping center and restaurants. Rated one of the Top 25 Coolest Film Festivals by MovieMaker Magazine, the 5th annual BIFF is a celebration of independent filmmaking with movies, special events, Hawaiian culture and music, all embraced by the spirit of Aloha, to help it grow into a premier event to share with the world.

Mauna Lani Resort will offer accommodations at two ocean front luxury resorts, The Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows and The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii, along with unparalleled shopping at The Shops at Mauna Lani.

For information or to purchase tickets online, visit http://www.BigIslandFilmFestival.com.  (Please befriend our Facebook Fan Page and follow @BigIslandFilm on Twitter.)

LINKS
http://www.BigIslandFilmFestival.com
http://www.JohnCruz.com
http://www.MaunaLani.com
http://www.Fairmont.com/Orchid
http://www.ShopsAtMaunaLani.com

For tickets and information visit http://www.BigIslandFilmFestival.com

Variety, Reinvention And History – From New Walking Tour Along The Rhine To Oberamergau Passion Play & Cultural Tour Or The East- Head To Germany In 2010

Germany has been voted by Lonely Planet as one of its top ten countries to visit in 2010. The country was singled out for its variety, reinvention and also history, and specialist tour operator, Dertour, has a number of special holiday experiences for 2010, whether it is a new walking trail along the Rhine, or a once-in-a-lifetime visit to the Oberammergau Passion Play, which is held every 10 years.

There is also a cultural tour of East Germany including the city of Dresden, of which Lonely Planet says: “where the domed Frauenkirche church is once again the diamond in the shining tiara that is the city’s famous skyline”.

CULTURAL HEART OF GERMANY TOUR –

This new week long tour from Dertour visits the East of Germany with special emphasis on the Bauhaus movement and the regeneration of the ‘old’ East. The route includes the states of Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia – the centrepieces of German history and culture – and starts in Eisenach and then on to the cities of Leipzig, Dresden and Weimar, returning via Cologne before arriving back in London.

These cities have long been at the heart of Germany’s culture, having been shaped by the many famous and influential poets and composers who have lived and worked in these particular areas of Germany.

Priced from £769 per person to include return rail from London St Pancras, seven nights bed and breakfast accommodation, all transport and transfers. Valid for departures from March – October 2010. Based on two sharing.

NEW WALKING TRAIL -

The 320km long Rheinsteig trail is a real nature experience beginning at Wiesbaden and ending in Bonn, and meandering through villages along the Rhine such as Linz and Leutesdorf along the way. Many of the stages can be shortened by taking a riverboat.

The trail is exceptionally well signposted and allows either ambitious long-distance walking or a variety of more leisurely short tours.

Between Rüdesheim and Koblenz, you walk through the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage landscape boasting a variety of romantic castles.

Worth seeing among other castles is the Pfalzgrafenstein Castle in Kaub, which stands on an island in the river North of Koblenz, and also the Marksburg Castle in Braubach.

Next are the Taunus hills and the lofty peaks of the Westerwald forests, followed by the outstanding conservation area for the Siebengebirge hills with the famous Mount Drachenfels that towers over the Rhine.

Dertour offers the tour in three sections (each taking a week). A sample package for the middle section (St Goarshausen – Leutesdorf) which takes you via Braubach, Koblenz and Rengsdorf, is priced from £699 per person to include flights from Heathrow to Cologne and rail transfer, seven nights bed and breakfast accommodation, luggage transfers between hotels, and a walking map. Based on two sharing a twin room.

OBERAMMERGAU PASSION PLAY -

Every ten years since 1634, the Bavarian village of Oberammergau stages its world-famous Passion Play.

The last time it was held, in 2000, over 530,000 people from all over the world attended, so early booking for the 41st production in 2010 is essential so that you don’t miss out on this world famous cultural and religious event. There won’t be another opportunity until 2020 and in previous years demand for tickets has always been much higher than the number available.

Dertour offers a number of tours to take in the 2010 production, which will run over 102 days and performed up to five times a week on the open-air stage of the Passion Play Theatre.

The premiere will be performed before an international audience on Saturday 15 May 2010, and, for the first time in its history, the play will begin in the afternoon and resume in the evening following a relaxing dinner.

It will also benefit from a revised script and a musical score adapted from Rochus Dedler’s original composition.

As the UK’s leading tour operator to Germany and beyond, Dertour offers visitors to the 2010 Passion Play the backup of its own office located in Oberammergau, the services of a local representative as well as providing hotel accommodation in the Passion Play village itself as well as within walking distance of the theatre or three miles away in neighbouring Ettal.

Prices start from £829 per person to include three nights bed and breakfast accommodation in a four star hotel in Bavaria’s capital, Munich, and one night in Oberammergau on full board basis, plus return flights from Heathrow, return transfers from Munich to Oberammergau, tickets to see the play, lunch before the play and dinner in the long interval.

Extras also included: free shuttle services between Oberammergau and Ettal, Passion Play 2010 programme and entrance to the Oberammergau Museum. Valid for travel on selected dates between May and September 2010.

For bookings call Dertour on 0207 290 1111 or visit www.dertour.co.uk  for further information

Where Cultures Meet

Home to a wealth of history, a vibrant arts and cultural scene and the unique cosmopolitanism of a city linking Europe and Asia, the West and the East, Istanbul is gearing up for its title of European Capital of Culture in 2010. As European Capital of Culture for 2010, the city launched the celebrations with a party on 16th January, followed by a year-long plethora of events encompassing the visual arts and museums, music and theatre, literature, cinema, and traditional arts.

Many projects are already underway, from restoration work on historic sites to the construction of brand-new art and cultural centres, from ongoing festivals and arts events to the commissioning of new artistic works for 2010.

All of these aim to revive Istanbul’s cultural heritage, to reinforce the city’s cultural infrastructure to allow the largest participation possible and to bring about a gigantic urban transformation with art and culture at its centre. In short, Istanbul is re-emerging as one of the world’s great metropolises, with a cultural vibrancy that flows through its every artery.

Reflecting the city’s setting on seven ancient hills, we have chosen the seven following categories to highlight the cultural and celebratory activities for Istanbul: European Capital of Culture 2010.

Heritage

In preparation for 2010, extensive restoration work has been carried out on some of Istanbul’s most important historical sites and monuments.

 The mosaics and hand-drawn decorations in several sections of the Hagia Sophia have been restored.

 The kitchens of the Topkapı Palace which house the palace’s Chinese and Japanese porcelain collection, one of the richest such collections in the world and the largest outside China have also been restored.

 Plans are in place to establish an icon museum at the Hagia Irene, which would house a research, documentation and educational centre and increase the capacity of the area in order to display the Byzantine icons and mosaics.

 The Architect Sinan Research Centre and Architect Sinan Museum will be opened inside the Süleymaniye Mosque complex, which was originally designed by renowned Ottoman architect Sinan between 1550 and 1557. This research centre and museum will aim to increase international awareness of Turkish art and architecture and to ensure that Sinan, the Ottoman Empire’s most talented and influential architect, takes his rightful place in the history of world art and architecture.

 The Hasanpaşa Gasworks Cultural Centre Project aims to transform an important part of Istanbul’s industrial legacy, which has been lying idle since 1993, into a cultural centre. Situated near the main transfer station of the Marmaray Project on the Anatolian shore, the planned cultural centre will make an important contribution to the city’s cultural life. The venue, which is expected to be finished by the end of 2010, will be opened for multi-purpose use both for local and international artistic-cultural projects.

 An international competition will attempt to find a solution from architects around the world for the display of the remains of the port of Theodosius which were unearthed in Yenikapı during the building of the tunnel for the Marmaray Project which will link Europe and Asia under the Bosphorus strait. The Marmaray and metro stations, which were designed independently of each other, need to be reassessed in order to display these exciting finds which have fundamentally changed what is known about the history of Istanbul.

Visual Arts

 Lives and Works in Istanbul will invite seven internationally acclaimed artists who have completed major visual art projects in the EU and influenced artistic movements there. The artists will hold workshops for the younger generation of local artists and work with them in a shared space.

Over two years 100 local artists will participate in the project housed at a special arts centre in Yenikapı. Begun in December 2008 with a visit from Italian artist Remo Salvadori, it was followed by Antoni Muntadas (Spain) and Victor Burgin (UK). Other artists will include George Lappas (Greece), Sanja Ivekovic (Croatia), Peter Kogler (Austria) and Sophie Calle (France). Istanbul 2010 is also organising International Artists’ Exchanges between artists in Istanbul and Berlin, one of the goals of which is to produce an exhibition entitled Breaking the Stereotypes, which will tour European countries including Austria and Italy.

 Portable Art will present contemporary art in an interactive manner throughout the city’s residential districts and throughout 2010 in an attempt to ensure that the whole population can enjoy and participate in such works.

 The Photograph Parade based at the Mısır apartment building on Istiklal Caddesi will host a whole year, from September 2009 to 2010, of exhibitions, talks, seminars and workshops for both adults and children.

 The exhibition Traditional Turkish Book Arts – Modern Masters will aim to reveal the work of past and modern masters from 1453 until the present working in such fields as calligraphy, ornamentation, ebru, miniatures, binding and cutting.

Film

 The documentary Istanbul Goes to the Movies compiled by Safa Önal will show the city through almost 7000 films and images from the early days of Turkish film to the present day showing Istanbul’s architecture, fashion and music. It will open the Istanbul Film Festival in April 2009.

 Istanbul Crossroads Specials, three film nights in May-June 2010, will be run as part of Breaking the Stereotype which will look at the ways in which both the Orient and Occident have been stereotyped.

Continue reading Istanbul European Capital Of Culture 2010…

General Tours World Traveler has announced a discount of $500 per couple on its fully escorted, 11-day Danube Cruise and Tour to Oberammergau.

According to Robert Drumm, General Tours president, “The trip promises three unforgettable experiences in one comfortably-paced journey — a luxury river cruise, fully-escorted touring through Bavaria and premier, center-orchestra seats for the Passion Play.”

The Danube, Bavaria & the Passion Play begins aboard the River Beatrice which made its debut in Spring 2009.

Sailing between Passau, Germany and Budapest, Hungary, the seven-night cruise includes all meals, wine or beer with dinner, port charges and in-depth sightseeing featuring Uniworld’s signature Quietvox portable audio headsets.

Upon disembarking, the comfortable pace continues with fully-escorted touring into the Bavarian Alps.

At the new five-star InterContinental Berchtesgaden Resort & Spa, General Tours’ clients enjoy complimentary access to the Mountain Spa and free use of their guestroom mini-bar. Specially-arranged sightseeing features a private cruise on Lake Königsee followed by dinner in an authentic high-mountain chalet with hearty Bavarian cuisine, fine local wines, regional beer, and live entertainment.

After visiting the underground bunkers of the Third Reich and ascending to the Eagle’s Nest, guests continue along the scenic Alpine Road to Oberammergau.

A relaxing two-night stay in Bavarian hotels with Alpine settings includes transfers to the nearby Passion Play Theater, a guided village tour, and premier center-orchestra seats for the 41st presentation of the historic play. The package includes all meals, sightseeing and transportation.

The fully-escorted Oberammergau Cruise & Tour is priced from $5,599. Now, for new reservations made by April 1, clients can save $500 per couple off these published rates on three limited-availability departures, Sept. 5, 12 and 19.

For more information, call 800-221-2216 or visit www.GeneralTours.com

1633 : The Plague has a firm grip on Bavaria. The deadly disease has spread to Oberammergau and is taking its toll of the villagers.

The remaining inhabitants make a vow that every 10th year they will perform the story of the events of the last days, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

For 375 years with great pride, dignity, devotion and passion they have kept their word and performed their play.

Only people born in the village or who have lived there for at least 20 years are allowed to take part.

Out of the 5200 or so inhabitants about 2500 will be involved in some way with the production, whether as front of house, as seamstresses, stage hands, musicians or performers on stage. It is a true community achievement.

The year before the actual performance the villagers wishing to act gather outside the theatre and stand anxiously watching the names for the lead roles being chalked onto a board.

Starting on Ash Wednesday of the previous year men and women grow their hair, and men their beards, as no wigs or false beards are allowed.

2010 : Against the impressive backdrop of the Ammergau Alps in a special, purpose-built theatre, seating some 4,700 spectators, the 41st Oberammergau Passion Play will take place between 15 May and 3 October. The performance starts at 14.30 and including a three-hour break for dinner, finishes at 22.30.

Whilst the audience and symphony-size orchestra is undercover the actors perform on a stage open to the elements. For all participants it is an exhausting five months.

The 41st production under the direction of Christian Stückl will see a revised text, new stage designs and music along with new costumes (made in the village).

Facts at a glance:

The Oberammergau Passion Play 2010 May 15 – October 3 2010 102 performances (each lasts approx. 5 hours, from 2:30 pm – 5:00 pm and from 8:00 pm – 10:30 pm, with a 3-hour dinner break)

Packages for 1 or 2 night arrangements are available on the website www.oberammergau-passion.com  under “How to book”.

Flight connections to Munich are available from all major airports. Distance Munich – Oberammergau: 90 km/55 miles

Discover the breathtaking surrounding area of Oberammergau during your stay. For more information visit www.ammergauer-alpen.de  as well as www.oberammergau-passion.com

The Victoria and Albert in London is one of the world’s greatest museums of art and design.

As the five-star Egerton House Hotel in Knightsbridge is a mere five-minute walk away, the hotel has created a special experience to help art lovers make the most of the museum. The package features two nights’ accommodation with full English breakfast on both mornings, two tickets to the exhibition of their choice, a catalogue detailing everything on show and a complimentary copy of the book.

On one day, guests are also treated to The Egerton’s traditional afternoon tea for two. They can indulge with a selection of finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones with Devonshire clotted cream, preserves, fruit tartlets, mini-cheese cakes, chocolate orange cupcakes, chocolate tray-bakes and revive themselves with a wide selection of teas.

The package is valid until Dec. 31 2010, subject to availability.

Prices start from £284 ($463) per night (excluding VAT), based on two adults sharing a Classic Double room for a minimum of two nights.

Additional nights are priced at the hotel’s best available rate. The Egerton House Hotel is conveniently located a stone’s throw from Harrods and the shops of the Brompton Road and Chelsea, 10 minutes from the West End theaters and a 30-minute ride from London’s Heathrow Airport.

The luxury townhouse has 30 rooms and suites, each individually designed and equipped with the latest technology.

All bedrooms have an abundance of natural light and many are overlooking the garden square.

The Egerton House Hotel is part of Red Carnation — a luxury collection of five- and four-star family-run boutique hotels — and a member of Preferred Boutique.

For more information, call 011-44-(0)20-7589 2412

or visit www.egertonhousehotel.com

Claim a free cocktail or juice if you’re name is the sleuth

Drink under cover this Winter at the Park Plaza Sherlock Holmes London.

In the run up to Guy Ritchie’s new movie Sherlock Holmes at the end of this year, the hotel on Baker St is offering anyone whose surname is Holmes or Watson a free drink, for every one purchased at Sherlock’s Bar until 30 December 2009*.

With its stylish dark wooden bar and comfy armchairs, Sherlock’s Bar is the perfect spot to solve a few mysteries.

Show your photo ID** to the bar staff when buying any drink from the menu and the hotel will buy you one back.

Park Plaza Sherlock Holmes London (www.parkplazasherlockholmes.com  tel: 020 7486 6161) is located near the shopping meccas of Marylebone High Street and Oxford Street.

The hotel’s award winning restaurant Sherlock’s Grill serves a delicious modern European menu. Rooms are from £99 excluding VAT.

For further information on Park Plaza Hotels, visit www.parkplaza.com

*One free drink per person.

** Passport or driving licence.

The free Chicago Winter Dance festival in Millennium Park will feature ice dancing and ice skating lessons at the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink in February.

Free events and programs include ice skating lessons from 8 to 10 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Feb. 6 to 28; and ice dancing performances and extended rink hours for public skating from 7 to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, Feb. 5 to 27.

Dance lessons and open dancing are available at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion on Saturdays and Sundays, Feb. 6 to 28.

Admission is free but space is limited. Doors open 30 minutes before the lessons begin.

Early arrival is recommended. Beverages and warm refreshments from the Park Grill will be on sale in the pavilion and near the rink.

For more information, call 877-CHICAGO or visit www.explorechicago.org

Cruise West has secured tickets to the Oberammergau Passion Play.

The renowned play was first performed in 1634 and for the past four centuries the tradition has continued every 10 years.

Guests booking the line’s new 11-night “Danube, Main & Rhine Rivers” cruise have the option to add on the three-night pre-cruise Munich and Oberammergau land tour that includes the 2010 Passion Play.

The cruise travels from Vienna to Cologne on the 148-guest Amadeus Diamond.

Departing Oct. 2, 2010, guests will sail into Regensburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; through the Altmühl Valley to Nuremberg, the capital of Franconia and the unofficial capital of the Holy Roman Empire; and along the River Rhine to Rüdesheim, an old wine town.

Cruise rates start at $4,999 per person, double occupancy.

Those who pay in full by Feb. 19 save up to $400 per cabin.

The three-night Munich and Oberammergau land tour costs $3,199 per person, double occupancy.

For more information, call 800-689-1783 or visit www.CruiseWest.com