Jetsettersblog

Visitors can be Super Man or Wonder Woman for a day at Comic-Con International, July 23 – 26, at the San Diego Convention Center. Comic-Con has become a signature summertime event for San Diego; it is the largest comics and pop culture event in the United States, attracting thousands of artists, celebrities and fans of comic books, movie memorabilia and all things related to pop culture. For more information, call 619-491-2475, or visit www.comic-con.org .

San Diego’s culinary community joins forces during September 13 – 18 for San Diego Restaurant Week. More than a hundred of the region’s top restaurants offer prix-fixe, three-course dinner menus at just $20, $30 or $40 per person, so visitors can sample the signature cuisine and sophisticated style that make San Diego’s dining scene one of the region’s top attractions.

For more information, call 858-523-9020, or visit www.sandiegorestaurantweek.com .

The “turf meets the surf” at the Del Mar Racetrack where home racing fans flock each summer to wager on their favorite horses during the popular, annual Del Mar Thoroughbred Club racing season, July 22 – September 9.

The races run six days weekly, except Tuesday. Every Friday, guests can catch 4 O’Clock Fridays, a free headliner concert following the day’s last race.

On September 6, the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club’s Grade 1 Pacific Classic treats guests to a prestigious event with a race between the nation’s top thoroughbreds and $1 million purse. For more information, call 858-755-1141, or visit www.dmtc.com

MAJOR ATTRACTIONS

In April 2009, the San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park opened Flightline, a new zip-line adventure that transports guests more than 400 feet across the park at speeds up to 60 mph.

The 1.5-hour experience begins at the top of a mountain in Nairobi Village and features a brief training lesson, behind-the-scenes narration and an aerial adventure that soars across the Asian and African field exhibits, and ends at Kilima Point. Participants must be 10 years of age or older and weigh between 75 and 200 pounds; the cost is $70 in addition to regular park admission.

For more information, call 619-231-1515, or visit www.sandiegozoo.org/wap

On May 23, 2009, the San Diego Zoo unveiled a journey through time with the opening of its newest exhibit, The Harry and Grace Steele Elephant Odyssey. Highlighting animals of the past, present and future, the $44 million, seven-acre habitat features Asian elephants, a California condor, sloths, snakes and rodents, as well as life-sized replicas of animal species that dotted the Southern California landscape more than 10,000 years ago.

A herd of eight elephants roam a 2.5-acre exhibit that includes a 120,000-gallon pool, gentle rolling hills and the Conrad Prebys Elephant Management Facility, where visitors can see keepers and veterinarians at work with the animals.

Additional highlights of Elephant Odyssey include a tar pit replication, fossil dig, children’s play area and much more. For more information, call 619-231-1515, or visit www.sandiegozoo.org

On May 29, 2009, SEA LIFE Aquarium in Carlsbad launched a new exhibit, Sharks Revealed.

The new display will replace the Kelp Forrest exhibit and provide an up-close look at the evolution, development and lifestyles of sharks, including how they eat, breathe and sleep. Several unique shark species will roam through the exhibit like the brown banded bamboo shark, white spotted bamboo shark and coral catshark.

Sharks Revealed will also showcase a number of educational displays and interactive opportunities for guests.

For more information, call 760-918-5346, or visit www.sealifeus.com

NEW HOTEL DEVELOPMENTS

In August 2009, Hotel Indigo San Diego, a new alternative to traditional hotels, will open in the East Village neighborhood of downtown San Diego.

Catering to the style-conscious traveler, the hotel will offer personalized service, affordable luxury and intelligent design to create a one-of-a-kind, welcoming environment.

The 12-story, 210-room property will feature open spaces, bold colors, unique textures, natural imagery and spa-inspired touches throughout the property.

In addition, public spaces and guestrooms will undergo seasonal transformations so that aromas, music, artwork, murals and more correlate to match the four seasons.

Hotel Indigo San Diego will also offer a bistro-style Golden Bean restaurant and Phi bar, each offering seasonal gourmet fare for breakfast and dinner.

A 24-hour “Phi”tness Studio, rooftop terrace with a reflection pool and fire pits, business center, 6,200-sq. ft. of meeting space and free wireless internet will round out the amenities.

Hotel Indigo will be San Diego’s first LEED-certified hotel, and green building practices will be seen throughout the property, including green roofs on its 9th and 12th floors.

For more information, visit www.hotelindigo.com

HOTEL RENOVATIONS AND NAME CHANGES

Renovations and upgrades to the historic 1906 Lodge in Coronado were completed in May 2009.

The building was originally built in 1906 as a boarding house, and now serves as a charming 17-room hotel.

Six of the hotel’s guest rooms are located in the mail lodge and feature queen beds, period furniture and original leaded glass windows that provide gorgeous views of Coronado.

Eleven of the hotel’s guest rooms are located in newly built bungalows and feature king beds, spa tubs, private entrances and private balconies or porches. Additional upgrades to the building include renovated common areas like the parlor, dining room and veranda.

The 1906 Lodge also boasts meeting space that can accommodate up to 40 guests.

For more information, call 866-435-1906, or visit http://1906lodge.com

The Holiday Inn San Diego on the Bay recently unveiled a complete brand re-launch featuring a new look and feel throughout the 14-story property.

The hotel’s 600 rooms now feature comfortable beds with crisp linens and a selection of pillows that range from soft to firm.

Guestroom bathrooms have been enhanced with superior showerheads, a curved shower rod for a more spacious feel and premium bath products. Enhanced lighting and landscaping designs offer a warm arrival experience, while just inside the lobby, new stylish touches, signature sounds, scents and an efficient guest check-in round out the welcome experience.

For more information, call 619-232-3861, or visit www.hisandiegoonthebay.com

In May 2009, Pala Casino Spa and Resort in San Diego’s North County completed a $100 million expansion, which includes major improvements to the dining and gaming areas and a new parking garage.

Pala Casino’s buffet area was expanded to 20,000-sq. ft. and renamed Choices, providing guests a world-class, interactive dining experience featuring eight live-action cooking stations, seating for more than 625 guests, an area for private parties and great views of the neighboring scenic mountains.

Pala Casino also opened two new restaurants — Amigos, an authentic Mexican eatery with quick-style service, and Sushi Sake, a Japanese restaurant. Within Pala’s casino area, a Poker Room with 15 tables, private cage windows and tableside dining was also added. Additionally, the casino’s private High Limit Area features three redesigned, Feng Shui-inspired rooms.

For more information, call 877-946-7252, or visit www.palacasino.com

Continue reading UPCOMING MAJOR EVENTS in San Diego…

Taking place from October 22-25, the Isrotel Phaza Morgana Festival will feature dance and musical performances by top Israeli artists at Timna Park in the Negev Desert north of Eilat.

The dance extravaganza will showcase a special collaborative performance by two of Israel’s greatest choreographers, Ohad Naharin and Sharon Eyal, in a specially designed amphitheatre at the foot of Solomon’s Pillars.

The festival will also include a presentation of Ohad Naharin’s prize-winning dance masterpiece Anaphaza by the Batsheva Dance Company.

“The Isrotel Phaza Morgana Festival will provide travelers with a taste of some of Israel’s top artistic minds,” says Arie Sommer, Commissioner of Tourism, North and South America. “The festival’s location in the enchanting Negev Desert will make for a one-of-a-kind musical experience.”

Also, world-renowned Israeli musician Idan Raichel will perform alongside a 16-member wind and string ensemble as well as Colombian and Rwandan artists.

For more information on the Isrotel Phaza Morgana Festival, visit www.phazamorgana.com

For more information on travel to Israel, visit www.goisrael.com

MAKES PLANNING YOUR VEGAS TRIP EASIER THAN EVER BEFORE WITH EXCLUSIVE OFFERS FOR TRAVELERS

Vegas Attractions Combine Resources, Databases, Marketing Dollars and More,
Maximizing Outreach to Both Consumers and Travel Partners

LAS VEGAS - Cooperation versus competition: that is the new mantra for a group of Las Vegas-based tourist attractions banding together to form Best Vegas Attractions.

For consumers, Best Vegas Attractions helps makes travel decisions easier than ever before with incredible discounted values.

For businesses, the groundbreaking consortium is setting new rules for conducting business in the tourism industry.

Currently included in the group (in alphabetical order):

“BODIES…The Exhibition”: Showing at Luxor Hotel and Casino, this exhibition features actual human specimens and allows people of all ages access to sights and knowledge normally reserved for medical professionals.

Fashion Outlets of Las Vegas: Located 36 miles south of Las Vegas in Primm, Nev., the outlets feature more than 100 stores with up to 75 percent off designer fashions.

Hard Rock Café: This summer, expect Las Vegas’ second Hard Rock Café location. The new café will feature an extensive retail shop, a “LIVE” venue, private function and meeting rooms and a grand cafe restaurant with patio dining and entertainment overlooking the Strip. The (original) Paradise location will keep on “rockin’ away” with Hard Rock Café’s classic dining and retail items.

Las Vegas Monorail: The Las Vegas Monorail is a quick and convenient connection to the Las Vegas Strip, linking riders to the city’s world-class restaurants, shows, shops, clubs, hotels and casinos. In just 15 minutes,

Monorail riders can travel from one end of the Strip to the other in a safe, clean and climate-controlled environment - without the hassles of traffic or wasted time.

The Monorail’s electric, zero-emissions trains arrive every few minutes at each of the seven stations: MGM Grand; Bally’s/Paris Las Vegas; Flamingo/Caesars Palace; Harrah’s/Imperial Palace; Las Vegas Convention Center; Las Vegas Hilton and Sahara.

Madame Tussauds Las Vegas: Located in front of the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino, Madame Tussauds Las Vegas offers guests the unique opportunity to ‘interact’ with incredibly life-like iconic figures from the celebrity worlds of film, TV, music, sports and politics.

Guests can ‘grab hold’ of their favorite stars with our many interactive experiences.

With more than 100 wax figures, guests can take pictures, touch and get up close and personal in a themed setting. The attraction is open 365 days a year starting at 10 a.m.

Papillon Airways, Inc.: Founded in 1965, Papillon Airways, Inc. (French for “butterfly”) and Grand Canyon Airlines/Scenic Airlines since 1929 are the largest “flightseeing” companies in the world, with nearly 70 state-of-the-art helicopters and airplanes, specifically designed to reveal panoramic views beyond imagination.

The Halvorson family recently acquired Kenai Helicopters (now known as Grand Canyon Helicopters), Grand Canyon Airlines, Grand Canyon Coaches and Scenic Airlines. These companies are the only companies that fly the entire Grand Canyon including the South and West rims, in addition to tours of Las Vegas, Page/Lake Powell and Monument Valley.

Tours afford maximum flight time, enabling guests to fully discover Grand Canyon’s great wilderness and scenic attractions.

During busy months, the Halvorson companies fly more than 3,500 passengers daily.

“Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition:

Featuring more than 300 artifacts, as well as breathtaking replicas from the famous ship, the Titanic exhibit truly brings history to life inside Luxor Hotel and Casino.

BUSINESSES BANDING TOGETHER

“We were all going after the same consumers, practically tripping over one another to secure business. We are like-minded businesspeople and had all thought at one point or another, ‘there has to be a better way to do this.’

Ultimately, we realized we are stronger together,” says Robert Graff, vice president of marketing, Papillon Airways, Inc. “This partnership provides us with a platform to implement marketing, advertising, databases and sales strategies in an impactful and cost-effective way, expanding our reach beyond what we could accomplish as individual companies.

Through this consortium, we are targeting customers through wholesale and tour operators, travel agents, airline partners, concierges and many more.”
The group developed rack cards discount and referral booklets, all branded as Best Vegas Attractions.

The referral program officially began in May 2009 and provides cash incentives to concierges and front desk representatives’ and discounts to visitors.

More than 40,000 booklets are being distributed to more than 113 resorts. To incentivize both visitors and tour and travel representatives, the program is designed to save visitors up to $500 and concierge and front desk representatives to receive up to $100 per booklet in cash-back incentives.

CONSUMERS CASH IN ON VALUE

Consumers who patronize participating attractions will save anywhere from 15 to 50 percent off the regular prices.
“We know visitors who come to Las Vegas are searching for value,” concludes Graff.

“Best Vegas Attractions clearly lays out guest options, making it easier than ever to decide what to do while they are in the destination. Top that with incredible savings they will not be able to find anywhere else. We created this group because of the guests and for the guests.
”
ABOUT BEST VEGAS ATTRACTIONS

Best Vegas Attractions (BVA) is a collaborative partnership among several Las Vegas visitor attractions, developed to increase awareness about the organization that will ultimately drive leisure and convention business to participating attractions. BVA’s objective is to provide value-added opportunities for travelers and visitors through special offers and values. By partnering on marketing, public relations and advertising efforts that include strategic branding, Web site production, collateral production and distribution, BVA attractions combine resources on activities at a fraction of the cost, which saves their respective companies time and money.

For more information, go to www.bestvegasattractions.com

Kuta, Bali — International Surf Film Festival Ombak Bali is preparing it’s second edition this year screening 15 of the best new surf films from around the world.

Ombak Bali is a platform where national and international surf film makers can expose their films to an interested public. Ombak Bali also aims to help awareness concerning environmental and social issues by screening inspiring and beautiful surf documentaries which handle these subjects. Surf cinema has taken a leap over the last couple of years with filmmakers exploring the surfworld and using this medium to send a message

As the only independent surf film festival in South-East Asia, Ombak Bali will have all exclusive South-East Asian and world premieres. The 4 day film festival will take place in the Discovery Kartika Plaza Hotel in South Kuta between August 19 and 22.

Film directors will be there to present their film to the audience. Surf art and live music will also form part of the exciting 4 day programme.

This year’s film programme will include the latest surf flicks:

-‘The Drifter’: the much anticipated new surf film on Rob Machado by award-winning Bali based surf director/producer Taylor Steele/ 2009.

-‘Fly in the Champagne’ Iron Brothers/ 2009: remarkable story documenting the build up to one of the greatest rivalries in sports history: Kelly Slater versus Andy Irons.

-‘Dear & Yonder’ Andria Lessler & Tiffany Campbell/ 2009:

An ocean odyssey of the female kind, featuring Lisa Andersen, Kassia Meador, Sofia Mulanovich & more.

-‘Whitewash’ Ted Woods/ 2008: Doccie exploring the complexity of race in America through the struggle and triumph of the history of black surfers. The story is narrated by Grammy Award winner Ben Harper.

-‘Mengejar Ombak’ Dave Arnold & Tyrone Lebon/ 2008: personal insight into the life of a young and talented surfer from a small fishing community in Java- Dede Suryana. The film follows Dede as he embarks on his first serious season on the World Qualifying Series (WQS), where he has been touted to become the first Asian to qualify for the World Championship Tour.

-‘Mata Ombak’ Renny Bee Febriani/ 2009: short Indonesian doc which follows 3 Balinese surfers who have made a successful career through surfing.

-‘Olas’ Camila Jimenez Villa/ 2008: Colombian short feature on 10 year old Chispy who goes on a surfari.

The complete film list and the programme schedule will be available July 1, 2009.

Practical information: date: 19 – 22 August 2009;

venue: Discovery Room at the Discovery Kartika Plaza Hotel, jl. Kartika Plaza, South Kuta

www.ombakbali.com

MADRID’S “SUMMER IN THE CITY” OFFERS 60 DAYS OF MUSIC, DANCE, THEATRE, FLAMENCO

Over 1,000 Concerts, Plays, Ballets, Films in July/August – Many Free

Barenboim, Baryshnikov, Benigni, Youssou N’Dour, Carlos Saura

MADRID, Spain – For 60 days this summer, Spain’s capital will welcome some of the world’s top performing artists. Sara Baras, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Cesária Évora, Gilberto Gil, Jerry Lee Lewis, Youssou N’Dour, Carlos Saura and James Taylor are just some of the rock, jazz, ballet and flamenco stars who will perform in Madrid during Veranos de la Villa, the “Summer in the City” Festival. A total of 1,166 performances – 65 concerts, 50 plays, 30 dance companies, 200 film screenings and two circuses – will kick off June 25 and run through August 23.

Now in its 24th year, Madrid’s summer festival includes many free events and visitors and Madrileños alike can see some of the world’s legendary artists perform classical and world music, opera and Spain’s own flamenco and zarzuela. And yes, there’ll even be dancing in the streets (July 13-15.)

A U.S. production of Leonard Bernstein’s “West Side Story,” will inaugurate a new easily-accessible venue, the Puerta del Ángel, from June 25 to July 5. On June 30, Roberto Benigni takes the stage in “Tutto Dante” at the Sabatini Gardens.

George Benson kicks off a series of 27 concerts and ballet performances on July 6 at the Puerta del Ángel. Music stars and artistic companies including Laurie Anderson and Lou Reed, Kool & the Gang, Seal, Paquito D’Rivera & Chano Dominguez and the Opera Ballet of Munich will perform there through August 3.

In the “Summer in the Street” program, many events are free of charge. “Music for the Sunset” will feature five free concerts by orchestra ensembles and string quartets July 7 to 10 in the Plaza de Oriente.

Once again, the city’s grand 16th century Plaza Mayor, one of the finest main squares in Europe, will be the setting for a free concert of Liszt and Berlioz on August 5 by the West-Eastern Orchestra Divan with Daniel Barenboim conducting.

World Music is on the “Música del Mundo” program at the city’s 4th century B.C. Templo de Debod (a gift from Egypt) with groups from Greece, Egypt, Morocco and Spain giving nine free concerts, July 19 to August 8.

Two modern dance companies will perform July 13 to 15 as part of “Danzacalles” in the Plaza de Sanchez Bustello. Admission is free. In Retiro Park, Madrid’s Municipal Symphonic Band will offer free performances June 28, July 5, 12 and 19.

From June 25 through August 31, the open-air Parque de La Bombilla is showcasing movies for every taste ranging from “Che,” “Grand Torino” and “Harry Potter” to “Slum Dog Millionaire” and “Vicky Cristina, Barcelona.” There are 200 screenings and tickets are only $7.

The entire city is a summer festival with every one of Madrid’s theatres, concert halls and cultural institutions like Teatro Español, Sala Cuarta Pared and the Matadero Madrid, presenting plays by William Shakespeare, Harold Pinter, tango, zarzuela, Spain’s version of lyric opera and much much more.

There are also many activities for children as part of the Titirilandia Festival.

Prices and times for “Summer in the City” events vary by venue and performance.

Go to www.esmadrid.com/en/portal.do

For information about Spain, contact your travel provider or the Tourist Office of Spain in New York (212-265-8822); Miami (305-358-1992); Chicago (312-642-1992) or Los Angeles (323-658-7195) or go to www.spain.info

VisitBritain, the national tourist office for England, Scotland and Wales, is highlighting summer events happening around the U.K from bog snorkeling to jazz festivals.

The Goodwood Festival of Speed (July 3 to 5) is a car event for racing aficionados, celebrating everything about car performance in Chichester, West Sussex.

For more information, visit www.goodwood.co.uk

Glyndebourne Opera Festival, East Sussex (until Aug. 30), is the country’s most exclusive opera festival.

For more information, visit www.glyndebourne.com

The Festival of History (July 25 to 26) takes place on the grounds of 18th century Kelmarsh Hall in Northamptonshire. It celebrates 2,000 years of English history with more than 1,000 costumed interpreters re-enacting historical events. There will be more than 50 shows a day during the festival.

For more information, visit www.festivalofhistory.org.uk

The 14th Leeds Shakespeare Festival (July and August) features two of Shakespeare’s most popular plays performed in the idyllic setting of Leeds, the only English city outside London with its own repertory theater, opera house and ballet companies.

For more information, visit www.visitleeds.co.uk

Manchester Pride (Aug. 21 to 31) is one of the U.K.’s premier gay events. It features a celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender life through a series of more than 40 events covering art, film, debate and entertainment, as well as other fantastic parties.

For more information, visit www.manchesterpride.com

The Cotswold Show & Country Fair (July 4 and 5) features a full two-day program of family activities at Cirencester Park.

For more information, visit www.cotswoldshow.co.uk

Henry VIII 500 years celebrations (around Britain, 2009) include the opening of the Tudor Garden at Hampton Court Palace this month and a jousting tournament at Eltham Palace. Henry’s many women also get a look in August when their portraits will be displayed at a fascinating exhibition hosted at Hampton Court.

For more information, visit www.visitlondon.com

The BBC Proms, London (July 17 to Sept. 12) represents a massive showcase of live music and performances at the Royal Albert Hall, including a string of 76 concerts with world class orchestral music and solo performances in the heart of London.

For more information, visit www.bbc.co.uk/proms/2009

The National Theatre Goes Outdoors, as the area outside the theater, beside the Thames on London’s South Bank, will be used as a stage for theater, circus, dance, music and spectacle.

For more information, visit www.nationaltheatre.org.uk

Homecoming Scotland is a year-long celebration filled with events focusing on whisky, golf and ancestry poet Robert Burns. August highlights include the piping music festival in Glasgow, Piping Live and the iconic Military Tattoo music and military theatre event in Edinburgh.

For more information, visit www.homecomingscotland.com

The 16th Annual Scottish Traditional Boat Festival (July 2 to 5), in Portsoy Harbour in Aberdeenshire, celebrates all aspects of Scottish maritime heritage.

For more information, visit www.visitscotland.com

The Highland Games (around Scotland, Summer 2009) is a mix of sporting, cultural and social events, including field and track events, piping, Highland dancing competitions, and “heavy events” like the tug-o-war, the hammer throw and tossing the caber. One of the largest Highland games in history, The Gathering (July 25 and 26) will be hosted at famed Edinburgh locations like Holyrood Park, Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle.

For more information, visit www.visitscotland.com

The Whole in One Golf Exhibition (Rozelle Estate, Ayrshire, to Aug 31) charts the history of open golf, incorporating a wealth of unusual and rarely seen exhibits. Scotland is widely acknowledged as the “Home of Golf” and boasts some of the best, most challenging and most beautiful courses in the world.

For more information, visit www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk

The Return to the Ridings (June 1 to Aug. is the annual Border Common Ridings, a mounting spectacle packed with music. Each participating town has its own distinctive history and ceremony providing a unique Return to the Ridings experience.

For more information, visit www.visitscotland.com

T in the Park (July 9 to 12) is Scotland’s biggest outdoor music festival held in Balado, Kinross, and will feature over 170 artists playing across 11 stages and will welcome 80,000 music fans this year.

For more information, visit www.tinthepark.com

In Wales, the Cardiff International Food & Drink Festival (July 10 to 12) highlights food from around Wales, France, Germany and Italy, along with professionals demonstrating seasonal recipes.

For more information, visit www.cardiff-festival.com

The National Eisteddfod (Aug. 1 to is the largest and oldest celebration of Welsh culture. It dates from 1176 and invites visitors to meet bards dressed in druidical robes and green-clad elves dancing to trumpeters.

For more information, visit www.eisteddfod.org.uk

The Brecon Jazz Festival (Aug. 7 to 9) features more than 90 concerts in the picturesque market town of Brecon.

For more information, visit www.breconjazz.org

The Bryn Terfel Faenol Festival (Faenol Estate, Aug. 28 to 31) features three concerts with the mountains of Snowdonia as their backdrop.

The World Bog Snorkeling Championship (Aug. 31) is held annually in the U.K.’s smallest town — Llanwrtyd Wells in Mid Wales. It involves contestants battling through a peat bog using a mask and snorkel.

For more information, visit www.worldbogsnork.com.

For general destination information, visit www.visitbritain.us

From old-time Fiddlers’ Reunion and square dancing, Appalachian craft courses to civil war reenactments and traditional festivals, West Virginia offers a rich heritage and culture that complement the region’s highland forests and mountains of the Allegheny and Appalachian ranges.

A range of 7-day courses compiled by the Elderhostel educational travel organisation are scheduled between October to December to take advantage of the splendour of the fall colour and located in three areas of the state: Charleston, the capital city, Elkins, an historic town in the Potomac Highlands and Ripley, nestled in the Appalachian foothills.

The Old-Time Week course immerses its participants in Appalachian mountain music and folk culture. Travellers learn traditional mountain dancing and participate in lectures and demonstrations on music and local civil war events as well as folk culture by leading historian, musicians and folklorists.

They learn the basics of playing a stringed instrument and take a field trip to areas of Civil War History. Evenings are filled with square dances, films and old-time music, followed by a weekend public folk festival, the Old Time Fiddlers’ Reunion, featuring more than 30 of the leading fiddlers in the state. The programme is arranged in association with the Augusta Heritage Centre of Davis & Elkins College which is dedicated to the preservation of American folk culture.

The Heritage Crafts week includes learning a collection of rare historic crafts and artefacts and time with masters of West Virginia’s traditional music and crafts and noted folklorists.

The evenings are filled with square dancing, old-time music concerts and jam sessions as well as documentary films. A different craft is taught each day and several projects are completed by each person during the week. The week is followed by a weekend folk festival, from Saturday through to Sunday morning.

West Virginia Film Festival/Film Production course takes place in Charleston. This course focuses on the study of independent and international films produced outside the Hollywood system.

College staff with first hand experience in writing, animating directing and producing full-length award winning films lead daytime discussions about styles and techniques, film production from beginning to end. In the evenings, participants attend nine recently released critically acclaimed culturally diverse domestic and foreign language feature films at the West Virginia International Film Festival.

Individual craft skill courses range from Stained Glass, Woodcarving or Woodturning, Faux Painting Techniques, Basketry, Quilting and Watercolour in Ripley. The courses are organised in association with Cedar Lakes Crafts Centre and located in the tranquil Appalachian foothills and take place between October and December.

Accommodation is offered on campus or in a new hotel in Elkins. The programme includes all lectures by experts, group leaders, field trips and excursions, accommodation and most meals, group transfers, gratuities, taxes and an insurance plan.

For more information, contact www.bon-voyage.co.uk.org

The capital city, Charleston on the Kanawha River is the gateway to the nearby Appalachian Mountains and unique culture and traditions. The state’s largest city features a wide variety of urban amenities including performing arts venues, historic shopping districts.

Elkins is the gateway to the 900,000-acre Monongahela National Forest with numerous scenic historic and recreational sites. The Tygart Valley River flows near this historic town in the mountainous Potomac Highland region of east-central West Virginia. The area is rich in Appalachian tradition.

Ripley nestles in the Appalachian foothills of the Ohio River Valley in the western part of the state. The county seat of Ripley features a historic downtown and theatre and easy access to nearby areas of natural beauty, abundant wildlife and hiking trails.

For more information on West Virginia Tourism, contact Jane Wilson on 0208 948 2388 or visit www.wvtourism.com

CLUB TATTOO’S GRAND OPENING CELEBRATION TO FEATURE
AUTOGRAPH SIGNING WITH LINKIN PARK’S CHESTER BENNINGTON,
ACOUSTIC PERFORMANCE BY DEAD BY SUNRISE AND
STEVE WYRICK “DEATH DROP”

LAS VEGAS – In celebration of Club Tattoo’s grand opening inside Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, Chester Bennington, co-owner of the shop and Linkin Park band member, will hold an autograph signing session, head up a free acoustic performance with his new side project Dead by Sunrise, and host a terrifying “Death Drop” escape performed by Daredevil Magician Steve Wyrick on Saturday, July 4, 2009.

Kicking off the daylong celebration, Club Tattoo will host a free autograph signing session with Bennington from 2 – 4 p.m. All of the members from Bennington’s new side project, Dead by Sunrise, will also be on hand.

A limited number of free tickets will be available to pick up during the session for a special acoustic performance by Dead by Sunrise later that evening at 10:30 p.m. inside the Steve Wyrick Theater.

Those wishing to obtain a ticket to this rare performance are urged to head to Club Tattoo early as they are sure to disappear fast.

At 8:30 p.m., members of the public are encouraged to head to the Miracle Mile Shops’ southern Las Vegas Boulevard entrance (by Hawaiian Tropic Zone) to witness a “Death Drop” escape performed by Daredevil Magician Steve Wyrick. Bennington, assisted by members of Dead by Sunrise, will lock and shackle Wyrick into one of the band’s equipment boxes. Connected to a crane by only a few thin ropes, the box will be dangled over a bed of 500 flaming spikes 80 feet below.

The ropes will then be set on fire, forcing Wyrick to make his escape before the last rope breaks and sends him plummeting to a fiery death.

Wyrick will have to jump 20 feet off a burning box to a safety rope and rappel down while avoiding the spikes and tremendous heat.

This type of escape has never been attempted by an illusionist anywhere in the world.

Wrapping up the celebration, Bennington will host an evening at Prive nightclub inside Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino beginning at 11 p.m. Those age 21 and older are encouraged to head to the club to join Bennington, Dead by Sunrise and many more in celebrating Club Tattoo’s grand opening.

Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington and long time friends Sean and Thora Dowdell founded the original Club Tattoo in 1995 in Arizona. Now in 2009, the trio is thrilled to open their first and only Las Vegas location inside Miracle Mile Shops.

The flagship Miracle Mile Shops location features an extremely talented group of tattoo artists and body piercers. In addition, the store features a full boutique of Club Tattoo brand apparel, fine fashion jewelry and many other unique brands. Second to none in sterility, cleanliness, and professionalism, Club Tattoo sets the standard in the tattoo industry. For more information, check out www.clubtattoo.com

Steve Wyrick performs Tuesday – Thursday and Saturdays at 9 p.m. and Sunday – Monday at 7 and 9 p.m. in the Steve Wyrick Theater inside Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. For more information on his show, visit www.stevewyricktheatre.com

Miracle Mile Shops, owned by David Edelstein and Aby Rosen, in conjunction with leasing and marketing consultant Robert K. Futterman & Associates LLC, is the 1.2–mile retail/entertainment complex at the heart of Las Vegas Boulevard.

Miracle Mile Shops boasts streamlined and modernized storefronts, people movers, a backlit sidewalk water feature, state-of-the-art LED video screens, crystal chandeliers, a multi-million dollar fountain show and contemporary, color-coded kiosks. The center benefits from its excellent street access and serves the 38 million tourists who visit Las Vegas each year. Miracle Mile Shops features 15 restaurants, live entertainment and 170 specialty stores including retail brands such as H&M, Urban Outfitters, Ben Sherman, Quiksilver, bebe, Sephora, French Connection, Betsey Johnson, Frederick’s of Hollywood and True Religion Brand Jeans.

For more information, visit www.miraclemileshopslv.com

It is with great joy that I can announce the rebirth of this hotel so dear to the Monegasques since 1929.

In order to provide our guests with even more than before, we have completely rethought the hotel and restored it to its former glory, whilst adding the modern touches necessary to today’s comfort.

The Monte-Carlo SBM group has undertaken the global reinterpretation of the Monte-Carlo Beach with pride. The constant policy of optimisation of our hotels is being carried out assiduously.

From the conception of the project to the opening of the hotel to the public, we have taken great care to carry out this work in perfect harmony with the preservation of our planet. This philosophy has been rewarded with the “chantier bleu” label given to construction sites with a minimum impact on the environment.
.
More than a large-scale renovation, it is a new vision of the hotel trade that we are presenting to you.

The Monte Carlo Beach is now offering even more comfort, gastronomy, care, nautical activities, vegetation and space… all in a remarkable setting.

Chic and timeless, the Monte Carlo Beach perpetuates the very elegance of the Riviera and the Groupe Monte-Carlo SBM’s art of fine living.

For its eightieth birthday, it is flaunting its eternal youth — with elegance and spirit.

Bernard Lambert
CEO
Groupe Monte-Carlo SBM

The rebirth of the Monte Carlo Beach

It is the event of the spring: After a winter of backbreaking work, the Monte Carlo Beach is emerging from hibernation to present its new face. The Groupe Monte-Carlo SBM wanted to breathe new life — a fighting spirit and modernity — into this emblematic address on the Riviera. A luxurious and convivial setting, reviving the splendour and glamour of the Roaring Twenties.

Today, the Monte Carlo Beach boasts a new terracotta-coloured exterior which greatly enhances the building and creates a perfect harmony with the cobalt blue waters of the Mediterranean just a few metres away… a tribute to the great potters who made the region famous. The Monte Carlo Beach, in all its finery, seems to play with the sun all day long, each hour providing the pretext for presenting a different colour of the spectrum.

Redesigned entirely by India Mahdavi, the Monte Carlo Beach is an ode to the Mediterranean. In this new decor, the sea is omnipresent, creating an obvious and harmonious duo with the hotel— a permanent guest, much to the delight of everyone.

Although the spirit and the form remain unchanged, the Monte Carlo Beach appears completely transformed. Perspectives, materials, lines, space: A total metamorphosis has taken place. After many months of thought and work, the result presented to the world today meets everyone’s expectations.

From the moment you enter the lobby, redesigned entirely featuring a Terrazzo marble floor, you are aware of the designer’s very personal touch.

From the terrace of the Elsa restaurant to the corridors on the second floor, decorated with large portholes, there is a resolutely dynamic air about the place.

The forty airy rooms and suites are in perfect harmony. With the Mediterranean as the only horizon, the feeling of spaciousness and light is accentuated.

Here, like everywhere at the Monte Carlo Beach, almost all the furniture and objects are the fruit of India Mahdavi’s imagination.

These unique decorative items have been created in order to blend naturally into the different parts of the building and emphasize the global conceptual vision of the project.

The rooms and suites at the Monte Carlo Beach are highly innovative. State-of-the-art technology, to satisfy the clients’ fondness for all things new, is combined with a touch of all things romantic. How can anyone remain insensitive to the wall frescos exuding so much grace? Painted by Aurore de la Morinerie, these reminiscences of Matisse – for the colours – and Cocteau’s Santo Sospir period – for the charcoal – contrast with style to the stripes above the beds.

Landscaper Jean Mus has created the gardens full of bewitching fragrances which provide a serene cocoon for visitors.

Everywhere, even in the nooks and crannies, the Monte Carlo Beach brandishes proudly its restored identity.

India Mahdavi is adding her special touch
to the Monte Carlo Beach.

Opened in 1929, the hotel so dear to the Monegasques is about to be reopened. The new Monte Carlo Beach will be unveiled in May 2009.

The Monte Carlo SBM group wanted one of the most distinguished architect-designers to give back the Monte Carlo Beach its original glamour.

“It is with great pleasure that we have chosen India Mahdavi to revamp the Monte Carlo Beach. We plan to offer a completely different experience for our future guests” says Bernard Lambert, CEO of Monte-Carlo SBM. India Mahdavi’s luxurious and contemporary touch to this magnificent 1930’s seashore villa will arouse great enthusiasm.”

Architect and designer India Mahdavi is forever breathing new life and creativity into her projects, ie the Hotel Condesa DF in Mexico, the On Rivington in New York the Connaught in London, private homes in Australia, Spain, in London and Paris…

Her nomadic culture and upbringing has also greatly influenced her furniture collection, which is can be seen in her Parisian show room. Moreover, she has collaborated with luxurious brands such as Bernardaud and Ruinart, to develop special lines of products.

After having just launched Hélène Darroze’s restaurant at the Connaught in London, she has inaugurated her new version of the Parisian bistro “Germain” in association with Thierry Costes, in the heart of Saint Germain des Prés.

Meet the designer India Mahdavi

Your past creations have been very eclectic.
What have you accomplished at the Monte Carlo Beach that you have never done before?

The place itself is for me the starting point of a story, of a project. Each story is different, each project is unique, and every each is a first time.

Although I’ve already worked on a seaside hotel in Miami, working on this mythical Riviera gem is something completely new to me. I plan to revive the great epoch of the 1930’s with modernity and elegance.

What made you decide to take on this project?

First and foremost, its location. The Monte Carlo Beach is tucked away an authentic Mediterranean scenery, surrounded by cypresses and Aleppo pine trees, with an amazing view across the bay. English-speakers have a special name for exceptional places like this - a spot – and the Beach is not only a spot but a magical one.

It’s a breath of fresh air between Cap Martin, its seashore and lush vegetation, and Monaco, one of the most sophisticated places on the Riviera. Such a unique and rare challenge was too tempting to ignore ! The size of the building was just perfect for me because I don’t like hotels that are too big.

Boasting 40 rooms, the Monte Carlo Beach enables me to give the place a touch of grand villa. Last but not least, my relationship with the Société des Bains de Mer was paramount: I listened and absorbed their requirements and expectations before setting everything into motion, a process which has lasted over a year…

How do you operate?

What was the starting point of your work at the Beach?
I work on instinct, searching for the obvious, mental images … and then I go for the fragrances, colours, fabrics and lighting.

For the Beach I imagined, much more than just a tale, a romance, a timeless sentimental story, with a backdrop of images of the Riviera: brightly-coloured juxtapositions of Matisse’s collages, George Hoyningen-Huene’s black and white photographs of elegant young women in bathing suits, and the Riva boat, a symbol of a certain way of life.

My personal input fuelled the project and reinforced it: I spent part of my childhood in the hinterland behind Nice and it’s still etched in my memory. I feel I have been on a trip down memory lane by intertwining beach and mountain landscapes.
The graphic language I chose for the hotel is based on Monaco’s recurrent themes : stripes , the Monte Carlo Beach DNA, and lozenges the Principality’s coat of arms. In a nutshell, I opted for a more classical and elegant approach for this hotel rather than a “design” one.

How did you program your work on the “new” Monte Carlo Beach?
Our main purpose was to give the sea the lead role in our story.
Axes within the indoor and outdoor spaces are more fluid now, and they are all connected to the sea.
By designing a real-size mock-up room, I was able to improve my concept: the sea in the room, a porthole between the bedroom and the bathroom, sliding doors for casting shadows of light and depth. By connecting the loggia and the promenade with a private stairway, the bedrooms now looks rather like a bungalow. We had the same sort of idea for the lobby and the restaurant… they now reach out to the terrace.

Your creativity is diverse, multifaceted (interior design, architecture, scenography , which of these skills has played the major role?
All of them. I have been able to express myself in many ways throughout this project: interior design for the global concept, architecture when rethinking the spaces, scenography for redesigning the lines of the bedrooms and the suites.

To remain faithful to the tradition of “Arts Décoratifs”, we designed exclusive furniture for the hotel, we also chose the tableware, selected the materials, the colors and the fabrics.

As an Artistic Director, I surrounded myself with highly competent professionals: Jean Mus, a landscaper specialised in Mediterranean gardens, designers Ich&Kar for the visual identity, Capucine Puerari for the uniforms, and artist Aurore de la Morinerie for the frescos in the bedrooms.

During this incredible adventure, what has been your biggest challenge?

Creating a new language and a strong identity for the Monte Carlo Beach. It’s been a very ambitious artistic management mission.
Combining creativity and novelty with given logistic and time schedule requirements has been quite a challenge. I hope I’ve delivered what was expected of me!

What added value has India Mahdavi brought to the Beach?

A modernized and respectful vision of the spirit of the Société des Bains de Mer.

This hotel is a jewel in the crown of Monaco : families have had beach tents here for generations, others have learned to swim, and some have even fallen in love….! It is my wish that the Beach will charm its guests once again.

Continue reading Welcome To The Monte Carlo Beach…

There has never been a better time to visit Lithuania than now as the country enters its second Millennium.

Exactly one thousand years later capital Vilnius has a golden opportunity to reveal its secrets as the European Capital of Culture 2009.

The year will see more than 300 events take place across Vilnius and 120 projects planned for the 2010 and 2011 ahead to mark the occasion.

This summer will be bursting with events across the country.

The capital Vilnius will host various festivals from classical music to the Millennium Song and Dance festival, which is attended by over 40 thousand folk dancers and singers worldwide.

Kaunas will attract visitors with medieval festivals while Klaipeda will host „Tall Ships’ Races” and the festival of European folk culture “EUROPEADE”.
These are just some of the events scheduled to take place in Lithuania in the summer of 2009.

Vilnius:

Vilnius Opera Festival (Until – 6 July)

The first International Opera Festival will be presenting acknowledged classics of the genre and modern experimental works, most famous theatre troupes, creative team members and artists from Lithuania and abroad, unique works dedicated especially to the festival. www.opera.lt

(The link: http://www.opera.lt/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=367)

The Millennium Song Festival (1-6 July)

Continuing our country’s significant cultural tradition dating back to the memorable 1924, the Millennium Song Festival of Lithuania in Vilnius is being arranged. That will be one of the most prominent events in celebration of the Millennium of Lithuania. The traditions and symbolism of Lithuania’s Song and Dance festivals was proclaimed by UNESCO as the masterpiece of the oral and intangible heritage of humanity. The parade of participants, the folk art exhibition, concerts of artistic collectives, the joint performance of amateur theatres “Amerika pirtyje” and many other events will take place. About 40,000 performers from Lithuania and emigrants from all over the world will take part in different programmes. www.dainusvente.lt

The link: http://www.dainusvente.lt/index.php?495349762

Grand Official Opening of the Reconstructed Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania (06 July)

The restoration of Palace of the Grand Dukes in 2009 is one of the most important projects dedicated to Lithuania’s millennium anniversary.

The reconstructed Palace will represent a national pride and will be a powerful reminder of Lithuania’s strong traditions as a state.

Also it will be an educational centre meant to promote a greater understanding of the country’s history and cultural heritage. http://www.valdovurumai.lt/Istorija/Rumu_istorija.en.htm

Christopher Summer Festival (1 July – 28 August)

The Christopher Summer Festival is the largest and one of the most impressive summer events in Vilnius, which will take place for the 15th time in 2009. The conception of the festival was to be original—in that the events, music and theatre premieres, exceptional projects and performances would be executed in the unique surroundings of Vilnius’ architecture and in the unique courtyards and churches of the Old Town so that it would be especially interesting for both visitors and residents of Vilnius.

http://www.kristupofestivaliai.lt/ http://www.vilnius-tourism.lt

Klezmer Festival (25-29 August)

Klezmer Music Festival – the first in the Baltic States will confirm once again that Vilnius has been open to different nations, religions and cultures at all times.

The main idea of the Festival is to introduce music which can be played and enjoyed irrespective of religion. 

Visit this link.

Festival of experimental archaeology of live archaeology: “Days of Live Archaeology” (4- 6 July)

During the festival prehistoric and early medieval crafts, lifestyle, medieval fights are being demonstrated and archaic music groups perform. A historic and cultural heritage of Lithuania and other European countries from prehistoric to late medieval times will be presented during the event, through the methods of experiment and archaeological reconstruction.
http://www.culturelive.lt/en/2009/millennium/kernave

Pazaislis Music festival in Kaunas (Until  31 August)

Since 1996 when the first Paþaislis music festival took place a lot of representatives of music elite had visited Lithuania.

Festival is famous for the fact, that the listeners of the most particular taste may find in the schedule of the festival something what interests them, starting from the old music and finishing with jazz, from the subtle chamber music to the grand vocal instrumental pieces, from the modern music premieres to the impressive pageants of Lithuanian dramaturgy in the approaches of Kaunas Castle. http://visit.kaunas.lt

International Operetta Festival (4-5 July)

This is a unique musical event in the open that attracts audience of various tastes. The festival “Musical in Kaunas castle” takes place on July 6, the Day of Lithuania’s Statehood, and is an outstanding accent of the day. “Operetta at Kaunas castle” is an original festival, first of such kind in East Europe. At the traditional annual event, not only popular fragments of musicals and operettas, but also some new pieces, never heard before, are performed by singers and musicians from Lithuania and other countries. http://visit.kaunas.lt

Hansa Kaunas 2009 (22 – 23 August)

The Midlle Ages, the knights, and Hansa markets in Kaunas downtown. http://visit.kaunas.lt

Klaipëda:
Sea Festival (25-26 July)

The main event of Klaipëda city, celebrated annually last week-end of July since 1934. During the festival there are more than 100 various events organized (concerts, fairs, exhibitions, artistic actions, ceremonies of seamen, etc.). It is also famous for traditional sailing regattas “BALTIC SAIL” and „SPRINT CUP” taking place during the festival. More than 500 thousands of people are coming to the city during the festival. http://www.klaipedainfo.lt/en/index.php?page=7⊂=18

EUROPEADE (The festival of European folk culture) (22 – 26 July)

For the first time European folk culture festival “Europeade” will take place in Lithuania, in Klaipëda.

The main goal of the festival is „free and peaceful Europe, where cultures of different nations coexist together“.

Thus there are cultural forms of more than 20 European States presented during five days of „Europeade“ and thousands of Europeans (approx. 5 thousands) have their folk-art meeting with dances, songs and music.

Klaipëda will become the 25th city, which has been honoured to accept festival for the 46th time and to present uniqueness of our country and its culture, but also contribute to the creation of an image of the country, which cherishes its identity in the framework of Lithuanian Millennium program. www.europeade.eu

The Tall Ships‘ Races Baltic 2009“ (31 July – 3 August)

The first regatta of sail training ships “The Tall Ships’ Races” held from Great Britain to Portugal in 1956, had to mark the end of “the epoch of sails”.

But, actually, it happened to prophesy a new era for sailing ships and sail training. Every year the regattas are organized in different seas, but they always cover three routes and are hosted by four ports of different countries. In 2009 Klaipeda will host the finals of the regatta.

The event is dedicated to the Millennium of the Name of Lithuania. www.talships.lt