Although it may not be everyone’s dream to own their own business, it is (almost) safe to say that everyone wants to be part of something important. The prospect of opening a new art space, however, is a horse of a different color.

Once there is a decision to step off the well-trodden paths, then vision does indeed come into play, and risk becomes more and more of a factor in making decisions.  Any artistic venture is, by its nature, a risky business, and one that needs an equal measure of vision and organizational skill in order to really take off and make a palpable difference in the local cultural scene.  New clubs, performance spaces, and art galleries are opening all the time, but they are also closing all the time.  It becomes important, then, to approach anything creative with balance.  It is important to have a sense of fearlessness about a new venture, but it’s also just as important to enter into it with a healthy pessimism in case things don’t quite work out the way one had originally planned.

It might be self-evident that one needs to have a fairly good idea of the basic layout of the chosen city.  Knowing about the kinds of work that attracts crowds can certainly help, but a deeper understanding of the culture at large can help hone the vision of the new space toward something that might push the audiences in new directions.  It is also very helpful to know something about the local market.  An idea of the availability of commercial rentals is not only valuable for determining the potential of a new space, but also helps in budgeting.

Most new ventures do have a tendency to fail, and with risky ventures, this is even more of a danger.  There are success stories that tip the scale in another direction entirely, but they are by far the anomaly.  At the same time, it’s important to keep in mind that this failure is often the result of a lack of planning, so even a little bit of business acumen can help tilt the balance.  In the end, it still does come back to vision.  Mission statements are everything when it comes to these kinds of ventures, and the final measure of success really comes from having tried to do it in the first place.  Keeping things straight in terms of vision and organization will help the success of a new space.  Having the time and headspace available to look at a TransGlobe property in the chosen city, or even working with other artists in other parts of the world, is rewarding in its own right, and it’s nice when planning makes room for that kind of dreaming.

Image Description: Another empty room |Source=Own work by uploader |Author=International-critics

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New Spaces and New Visions

Zurich is not only the capital of its namesake canton in Switzerland it is also an enormous cultural center and one of the great cities of Europe. It is full of incredible architecture and much of it is historic and representative of the extensive and dynamic history the city has experienced. Today, tourists visit the city and stay one of the Zurich hotels and are frequently surprised not only by the tremendous architecture of the city but of that in which they are staying as well. In addition to the historic monuments and attractions that are typically associated with the architecture a great number of cultural institutions are also located in beautiful and frequently historical buildings.

The National Museum of Switzerland is one of the prestigious institutions of the Zurich. It is recognized as being one of the most important art and cultural museums in the country as well as throughout Europe. It exists in a building that was built by Gustav Gull in the style of French Renaissance chateaus. It was built at the end of the nineteenth century and stands as one of the most visually impressive easily recognized landmarks of the city. It is one of the main features of the Old City District.

The extensive collection contained in the museum includes exhibits from prehistory as well as ancient classics. It spans the centuries and their inherent cultural and artistic eras and includes works that represent periods up to the Modern. The Gothic art collection is one of the most impressive in the world and is also extremely popular with visitors. The Middle Ages is another important period with works represented by the museum and is also attractive to guests. This impressive establishment attracts guests from with impressive exterior and reputation and amazes them with the extent of its collections and quality of exhibits. This is one of the places few tourists want to miss while they are visiting the largest city in Switzerland.

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The National Museum of Switzerland in Zurich

Amsterdam is one of the most popular European vacation destinations for people within the continental countries as well as though from around the world. In addition to the famous architectural elements and historic buildings there are numerous museums in the city that attract most of the people who visit and stay in one of the hotels in Amsterdam . And while visiting a museum may not be the primary reason many people travel to the city, viewing the exhibits and one or more of them is definitely one of the greatest highlights of most trips. The Van Gogh Museum and the Rembrandt House are just two of the great art based museums that are present in the city and visited by people from around the world.

The Van Gogh Museum has the largest collection in the world of Vincent Van Gogh’s drawings and paintings. In addition it features many of the works of his contemporaries and has an impressively extensive permanent collection. The museum opened in 1973 and has been one of Amsterdam’s most popular attractions since that time. The museum’s primary exhibit is a collection of works that covers the artistic life story of Van Gogh. Various works of art cover distinct phases in the artist’s life and career and highlights certain aspects of his childhood through various emotional difficulties and phases in adulthood. One of his three Sunflowers paintings is featured.

The Rembrandt House is another great institution that is dedicated to the work of a great artist. In addition, the museum is located in what was once the home of this great artist. He lived and worked in this historic house for much of his career. He purchased it in 1639 and lived there until 1656, at which time he became bankrupt and all his belongings and works went up for auction. Early in the 20th century the building was turned into a museum and the early collection was based primarily on sketches and touring exhibits and has continued to grow and expand throughout the decades. This is not only a great place to view Rembrandt’s work but also to stand in his footsteps and imagine him working in the same spot.

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Van Gogh and Rembrandt Museums in Amsterdam

The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City is a world renown establishment that is primarily known for its great collection that spans centuries, art genres and cultural perspectives of items. However, the museum is also focused on and greatly contributes to the continued development of new works and artists. Education and research is also a fundamental aspect of the organization. The progressive nature of this seemingly conservative establishment can be found not only among some of its rooms and hung across the walls but also on its ruff top. In fact, many of the hotel guests in some of the near by resorts may be able to see this new installation piece from their balcony windows.

This is just one of the works of art this is currently making the news and getting random attention throughout this great city, though it is also one of the most dynamic and complicated. The piece is titled Big Bambu: You Can’t, You Don’t and You Won’t Stop. The installation is made of bamboo and includes a suspended walkway above the roof. The entire project will last through the end of October and will continue to be worked on until the time it is dismantled. The most report indicated that intricate web of bamboo rose about twenty five feet into the air above the roof of the museum.

The ongoing installation project, conceived and constructed by Doug and Mike Starn , who happen to be identical twins, is anticipated to receive somewhere in the neighborhood of 400,000 viewers, though this projection is somewhat dependent on the weather. Meanwhile, some incredible tours will be offered, though it is important to understand that there is the possibility of experiencing some unexpected and sometimes severe cases of height anxiety and fear. In addition, there may be some physical and health restrictions related to participating in the tours.

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Big Bambu Makes News in New York

Many people will associate cheese steak sandwiches with the culture of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. And they will definitely not be wrong in doing so as the city is known for having some of the best cheese steak in the country. And while the following aspect may not be one of its most famous national traits, the music scene of Philadelphia is extremely diverse and another major aspect of its culture. Guests who are enjoying a room in one of the city’s great places to stay will likely be interesting in sampling the cheese steak and they are likely to discover the music scene while they are there.

The Morris Arboretum at the University of Pennsylvania is not only one of the school’s great establishments but also one of the city’s multifunctional and dynamic cultural attractions. It is one of the university’s as well as the city’s historical public gardens that also serves to host many interesting events and concerts. Every summer there is a special concert series that occurs at the garden and blankets or chairs are welcome accessories for the audience members to bring. You can also bring a picnic though Bruno’s cafe is open on concert evens and there is also snack food at the concert venue.

Another popular concert venue in Philadelphia is the World Cafe Live . This diverse establishment has musical offerings for all genre fans as well as a special series of children’s shows. In addition it hosts private parties and celebrations and it has a restaurant, which its name implies, that serves great food before the concerts. There are concerts on the downstairs and upstairs levels and many of the top local bands and solo musicians as well as national performers appear on its stages. Country award winning musician Jack Ingram and Matthew Good are two of the upcoming shows scheduled at this venue. These are just a couple of the great music offerings found in Philadelphia and tourist will find that great music is all around them.

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Unique Concert Venues in Philadelphia

Charlotte, North Carolina is creating a lot of buzz in various cultural and entertainment scenes. It has been making news with various additional recreational aspects and one of its more recent cultural developments is the NC Music Factory . This is also a great example of Charlotte’s ability to revive and rejuvenate buildings and neighborhoods. The factory exits in what used to be an old mill warehouse facility that has been rejuvenated and transformed into a major entertainment venue. The building has retained its original wood and brick, which contributes to an historic feel.

The factory is located in an area that has seen a great deal of revitalization in the last few years. There are various eateries and clubs as well as creative office spaces and companies. The factory has established the area as a major music attraction and includes a large outdoor amphitheater for performances. In addition, the preservation of so much of its original look and construction helps the factory feel like the original establishment that it is. This is an important aspect of the venue that competes with national chains and franchises.

Part of the intention with the development of the factory was to give audiences a great selection of musical offerings in one centralized location. This has contributed to many people driving in from outside the city to attend a concert. The establishment has also contributed to an increased business for many of nice hotels in the area as people are frequently attracted to spending the night when they’re in town for a show. There is a nice combination of music genres and a range of performers that includes some local bands as well as national acts. Robin Thicke, Julian Casablancas, and Korn are just of few of the examples of upcoming performances. The Gruesome Twosome Tour with Alice Cooper and Rob Zombie will be there on May 19.

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Charlotte Music Scene and the NC Music Factory

The Brooklyn Academy of Music, Neal Street Productions and The Old Vic Theatre continue their collaboration of efforts known as the Bridge Project and Sam Mendes will continue to direct the company. The latest and greatest efforts by the Bridge Project will be productions of William Shakespeare’s As You Like It and The Tempest, which will run in repertory at the BAM Harvey Theater in Brooklyn through March. After the Brooklyn run an international tour of the productions will began and this will take the plays, and their actors, to Asia and Europe before settling into The Old Vic Theatre in London for a summer run from June to August. The company uses top English and American actors to create the ensemble and each of the plays’ casts are filled with the best actors available.

As You Like It is generally considered to be one of Shakespeare’s pastoral comedies and is accepted as having been written sometime between 1599 and 1600. As with most of Shakespeare’s comedies oppressed love plays a significant role and the heroes and heroines find a way to escape their oppressor. In As You Like It Rosalind escapes persecution from her uncle and Flees into the Forest of Arden with her fool Touchtone. This play has the time honored famous line all the world’s a stage, which is spoken by Jacques.

The Tempest has variously been considered a comedy and a romance depending on the time period and academic philosophy attached to it. It was originally labeled a comedy and Shakespeare’s plays have historically been placed into three categories, comedies, histories and tragedies though contemporary criticism has added possible categories of problem plays and romances. However it is classified, The Tempest is both funny and romantic and has all the elements of great intrigue and mystery. It is also one of his most esoteric plays and some critics have argues that the character of Prospero is a literary self-portrait and his putting away of his magical books represents Shakespeare’s own retirement from writing. As with all theories of Shakespeare’s inspirations and intentions, this is difficult to prove. Regardless of what he was thinking tourists staying here will enjoy the prouctions.

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The Bridge Project in New York Continues for Another Season

The Elgin Theatre in New York city, was a popular movie house in the 1940′s.  When the venue located at Eighth Avenue and 38th Street began to change, from the revival movies towards a more questionable list of movies, more “adult” in content and nature, the community closed it down.  In the early 1980′s, this building became home to the Joyce Theatre Foundation.  Two years of renovations were necessary, to create the one of the most premiere and elegant venues for performances of not only more than three hundred dance companies throughout the city, and throughout the world, but one that supports and offers performance spaces to theatre productions and musical performances as well.

With just 472 seats, the theatre is the perfect venue for the smaller, and not quite well known companies.  The mission of the Foundation has been to support and to serve the community of dance, as well as all of the performing arts, and promote the variety and the richness, allowing the companies to fully express themselves artistically, and allowing more opportunity for the people of the community the exposure to this world as never before.  Hugh Hardy was the architect responsible for the building’s transformation.  He expanded on the Art Deco theme of the building, and totally gutted and redesigned the inside of the theatre, from the dressing rooms to the stage to the seats in the auditorium.

This beautiful renovation inspired other projects of renewal in the neighborhood, such as the redesigning and rebuilding of many of the restaurants, apartment buildings, and some of the finest boutique hotels in Manhattan.   The theatre brings together the cultural mix of the neighborhood, as well as the mix and the appreciation of that diversity through the various and different companies that have performed there over the last thirty years.  Classical performances celebrating tradition, and more cutting edge performances celebrating this new and modern age are some of the shows you can expect to find.  Should you be traveling through the city in 2010, some of the works you will have the chance to see are those by Bill T. Jones, Pacific Northwest Ballet Company, the John Jasperse Company, and the Lyon Opera Ballet.  And true to many of the arts foundations in the city, The Joyce Theatre hosts forums and many educational programs.  Stop by the Joyce this year,  and enjoy the dance!

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The Joyce Theater of New York

Barcelona is one of the world’s greatest cities. It is one of the major financial and cultural centers in Spain, and all of Europe, really, and has a well-founded reputation for doing everything with flair and finesse. Style is very high here, with a Catalan sensibility that takes in the best of the rest of Spain and adds its own sensational flavors. It is extremely individual and proud of its uniqueness, which is why, in Barcelona, boutique hotels are so very splendid. The very idea of a boutique hotel suits the city perfectly, based on their distinctive qualities, and with a fine eye for sumptuous detail. Our hotels are a selection of the best of these, offering you a wide array of choices that are all wonderful in their own individual ways.

It’s possible to while away the entire trip in our hotels, because the amenities are many, and it’s so hospitable that you might think about staying in and enjoying another meal here, or another hour of splendid rest. You can have it all here, and with the marvelous city waiting, you can have even more. Barcelona is a masterpiece of a city, marked by human hands touched by strokes of genius. This is clearly evident in the magnificent Temple Expiatory Sagrada Familia. This is one of Barcelona’s great architectural wonders, and is still not complete. There are estimates that 2026 will see its final touches, but we’ll have to wait. For now, it’s absolutely spectacular.

This gorgeous church was commissioned to Antoni Gaudi , one of Barcelona’s greatest architects, who worked for over 40 years on its construction and design, cut short by his death in 1926. The quick-tempered architect was no doubt an artist, and probably a genius at that, and the Sagrada Familia is a testament to human art as well as faith. The construction is a geometrical wonder, and every nook and cranny are carefully crafted to fit into a splendidly unifying architecture. There are hints of the Art Nouveau of the time, which blend very nicely into Gaudi’s carefully studied Gothic structures, and it’s virtually impossible to find any section and any view here that is not simply gorgeous to behold.

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Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia

I signed up for a weekend course for a training course for the projection technology. I managed to book a room at one of the top Barcelona hotels which wasn’t too far from the training center. My energy teacher told me about this projection technique and said I might find it’s technology more suited towards my understanding and practice of hands on healing modalities.

During the weekend, I learned that this particular technique has made remarkable strides and becoming more well known and acceptable with all hands on healers. Projection technology touches most parts of our lives. The art of projection was developed with diverse applications, like cinema, retail, theater, art installations and exhibitions, advertising and marketing, places of worship, concerts, theme parks, corporate presentations, scientific visualisations and medical, education, training simulations and even political and sports events.

I can use slides, film and digital formats by using fixed positions or being mobile. The projections can be highly complex, indoor or outdoor and on a massive scale. The potential surfaces to be projected upon are diverse, like natural formations such as rock faces, clouds, fountains, buildings, water fountains, hot air balloons, monuments, boat sails, inflatables, power stations, conference venues, stadiums, drive-in movie screens, etc.

I gained more knowledge with the training I received over the weekend about the aesthetic and practical aspects of this projection technology. My trainers were professional and had years of experience. I’m not a lighting or projection design, audio-visual person, but what I learned here gave me wonderful ways to project my healing artwork creatively and professionally. The class really had nothing to do with learning a new modality of healing. The wisdom of my teacher sending me to this technical weekend workshop in Barcelona, was a true insight on her part, because now I have a way to project my healing artwork anywhere I want, on any form I want, like the human body or into a forest needing healing. I can do this anytime I want. I will be able to project my healing artwork up on a cloud for all to see. What an amazing way to created healing on a massive scale. I have a wise teacher.

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Projecting Healing in Barcelona