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Stockton, California is located in-between San Francisco and Sacramento, though there is not a direct route between the two major cities. This just refers to the geographic location, and it is to the southwest of Sacramento. And while it is frequently overshadowed by either of these larger and more famous neighbors, the city of Stockton is gaining in popularity and more people are moving there and also visiting the city every year. The city has a unique cultural atmosphere and is also well known for some of the special festivals and events that occur there on an annual basis.

From the Asparagus Festival, The Greek Festival and the Jewish Food Fair, these are just a few of the many diverse celebrations that occur in the city throughout the year. In addition there are some incredible cultural attractions that reflect on the heritage and history of the city and the region. It has some well known and highly supported entertainment establishments and people will visit from other cities to attend one of the great performances. This is highly encouraged by the city, which is glad to encourage an overnight stay in one of the city’s many hotels. Stockton entertainment establishments include the multi functioning Stockton Civic Theatre .

This incredible venue and corresponding company present throughout the year some of the best musicals, dramas and comedies available. This is one of the region’s most respected and well-known establishments and it is popularly attended by much of the Central Valley’s population. The company’s production of Barefoot in the Park concluded at the end of May and this summer’s major performance will be I Remember Mama, which is scheduled to open on the twenty third of this month and will run through July eighteenth. In addition to the standard season schedule there are plenty of special events and performances that occur throughout the year.

Hollywood was stunned when 32-year-old actress Brittany Murphy unexpectedly died last December. Now, over 5 months later they are surprised again when her 39-year-old husband unexpectedly dies in the same room and is found by the same person, Brittany’s mother. An autopsy is scheduled to take place after the results from the toxicology report come back. It is suspected that he suffered from a heartattack; however nothing will be confirmed until after the autopsy. To read the whole story click here.

Well it’s that time again. The most dreaded day of the week. Monday. Here is a funny little video that will hopefully help the afternoon pass faster… and maybe even give you some ideas to make those days at the office a little more interesting.

This is by far the biggest fish I have ever seen, much less Piranah. I wouldn’t want to meet him out swimming!

The musical Next to Normal was recently announced as the winner of the Pulitzer Prize in drama. This came as a surprise to some people and was also seen as a somewhat controversial move on the part of the Pulitzer Board. This is because the board passed over all three of the official recommendations by the jury which included The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity, by Kristoffer Diaz; In the Next Room, or the vibrator play by Sarah Ruhl, and Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo by Rajiv Joseph.

Tourists who stay in New York may be impressed with the numerous stars that perform in these shows and the number of impressive awards and critical acclaim they receive, though they are frequently unconcerned with the politics of how the award system works.

In the case of the Pulitzer for drama, there have been some recent conflicts between the board and jury, though most of the theatre fans have only accepted the results and also have frequently celebrated them. This is largely due to the standard status quo structure of the award, which typically means that it goes to a mainstream attractive play. And with the case of Next to Normal, the issue seems less to do with the fact that it was this particular show that one, but with the manner in which it did so is what is troubling to some. Some of the controversy is due to the fact it was not part of the original choices of the jury as well as that many of the board members who ultimately chose this show saw it the night before the final vote was made.

Next to Normal is playing at the Booth Theatre on West 45th Street and opened about one year ago on April 15 of 2009. The show is a face paced musical that deals with the crisis faced by one family who is dealing with some mental health issues. The show is a riveting sound and spectacle experience and the stage is structured so that the action takes place on three stories. The set serves as a home, a doctor’s office and also a school. Audiences typically walk away from this show feeling a strong sense of having been entertained as well as exploring various thoughts that were inspired by some of the issues and circumstances that are presented. Meanwhile the music is engaging and the lyrics are smart and memorable.

So, this is currently one of the most popular videos of YouTube; although I have to say I find it rather random.  It is strangely reminiscent of the song Barbie Girl by Aqua that came out in the 90’s.  Anyway, I welcome your comments.

You don’t have to be an entertainment buff to be aware of the building tension between Sandra Bullock and Jesse James. For the past month, the allegations that he has had multiple affairs during his almost 6-year marriage have hit the Internet, news, and magazine stands with a vengeance. Despite all the negative publicity, Sandra has been relatively quiet about the whole situation…until now. The New York Post has reported that Sandra has prepared the papers and will soon be filing for divorce. Fortunately for her, she went in to the marriage with a strong pre-nup so he won’t be receiving a dime. You can read more here.

Austin, Texas may be the self-described music capital of the world, but that doesn’t stop major bands and those that are just getting started from pursuing the music scene in Los Angeles. And while the city of LA may be the film capital of the world , that also does nothing to impeded the popularity and interest in the local music scene. It also helps that many of the major labels are located in this city, but it’s also nothing of a coincidence that some of the top solo musicians and great bands throughout history have started their career in Los Angeles. In addition, there are bands like the Red Hot Chili Peppers that are not only from LA and have achieved something of a legendary music status, but they also write many songs in honor of and in homage to their home city.

The Chili Peppers first formed in 1983 and have become extremely popular, respected and well known not only for their unique blend of funk, rock, some aspects of punk rock but also for their various stage behaviors throughout the years. Their unique approach to music didn’t land the band great commercial or popular success for almost a decade. During this time they formed a solid performance style and played at various LA clubs and venues.

When tourists visit Los Angeles, they frequently go to at least one of the night clubs in the city while they are there. And when someone catches a performance by a band that later makes it big, they frequently remember the night they first saw them in a club. That helps to make the trip special and usually people will remember all the details from the experience including the exact hotel room they stayed in. The Chili Peppers first major breakthrough album came in 1991 with Blood Sugar Sex Magik. This was an enormously successful album, and reached heights of sales that the band had never before seen. It also contained the song Under The Bridge, which was their first of many popular songs about LA or set in it.

Amarillo is one of Texas’ major Panhandle cities and is the seat of Potter County. And while it is only the fifteenth largest city in Texas, it influences much of the regional cultural and politics. Some of its major institutions, such as the Amarillo Symphony are respected and supported throughout the county and surrounding areas. It is also one of the historic cultural institutions of the city and many of the guests who visit Amarillo are attracted to attending one of its performances. There are plenty of great places to stay in the city and they will have good information on this and other cultural attractions and entrainment venues.

The symphony was originally established in 1924 and at the time was founded as a 12 piece ensemble. This early manifestation was led by Miss Grace Hamilton and within its first eight years of existence, the company grew to a 56 musician membership. This is one of the largest growth rates ever experienced by a musical institution in the Amarillo regional area in that amount of time. However, this establishment, like all cultural and artistic entities, was not immune to the struggles of economic hardship during the 1930s and 40s. However, their commitment to excellence and belief in the importance of quality music in a society had helped keep them afloat, and while recent economic struggles have also affected it, the company is well supported by the community it represents.

The symphony is also focused on education and youth programs, which help to establish a new generation of quality music lovers and potential musicians in Amarillo. Many of the concerts are focused on family appreciation and incorporate the youth orchestra into the program. This is exemplified by the upcoming concert Discover Family, which will be performed on April 16 and 17. This is a major collaborative effort and will include performances by Amarillo Youth Orchestras, West Texas A&M University Choirs and the Amarillo Civic Chorus. Works by Stravinsky
and Faure will be on the schedule.

If you are in England or anywhere near it for that matter, you probably know about the Cheltenham Racecourse and the fact that the Cheltenham Gold Cup festivities are starting on Tuesday the 16th. All four days are a great time to be in the area, but if you can only attend the event for one day I suggest you make it Lady’s Day. This is a great day to be at the track as the jump races are happening as well as the ladies fashion awards.

This is a famous fashion contest that starts early in the morning until the first race. There are always a number of great prizes and this is no different. This ear three well dressed women will be presented with a prize package consisting of 24 hours use of a Aston Martin DB9, 12 months use of a a new Alfa Romeo Mito, a deluxe overnight stay at one of the top hotels The Greenway, which includes in it a personal style taster session with Stuart Weir while there, a tweed coat and a Magnum of Rose Champagne.

It’s easy to enter this contest, but it is hard to win it. There are only three categories, Best Dressed Lady, Lady with the Best Hat, Lady with the Best Accessories. All you need to enter is to head over to the fashion area and be over the age of 17. Fashion scouts are out as soon as the gates open to direct well dressed ladies into the fashion area.

This is not the only event happening on Lady’s Day however, and there will be a lot of fun to be had by all. If you are not interested in getting dressed up, there is also the Outstanding Contribution Award as well as a visit by the Ladies Day Ambassador, this real Georgie Browne. The Outstanding Contribution Award is in recognition of the ladies that have contributed to Jump Racing. In past years the award has been given to Heather Atkinson, Chicky Oaksey, and Nina Carberry each have been fundamental parts of the ongoing sport of Jump Racing.

This is a great opportunity to see and be seen, and most of all to see some really great races. Make sure you come out with a large group of your friends to get a great group discount, and don’t forget about the great restaurants in the area to grab a snack when you get hungry.

Once of Frank’s life long obsession oriented dreams finally occurred, after an almost eternity of waiting, after all he was a whole nine years old, last year when his uncle took him to a live Philadelphia 76ers basketball game. It was really the greatest evening of Frank’s young life, up to that point. He had been a 76ers fan for as long as he could remember. His mother claims that it was not always his choice because his grandfather was always coming over and propping him up as a baby in front of the television and watching the games with him. However, she didn’t complain too loudly because every time Frank was upset and crying she could prop him up in front of a game and he would be okay. Naturally, his parents collected tapes of 76ers games and had them on hand.

Inadvertently this also contributed to Frank’s obsession. He started memorizing game details, team and player statistics before he was even aware of it. There was simply no way for Frank to grow up and not love basketball and be a loyal lifelong 76er fan. Well, his father was afraid it would all backfire one day and he would actually despise basketball, but his fears were unfounded.

On the evening Frank and his uncle went to the game his uncle thought about surprising him and just showing up there but his mother wouldn’t let him. She explained that Frank would be extremely upset to learn he was going to a game and didn’t have on his Willie Green jersey. So, to make the evening complete, his uncle told him what they would be doing and with both of them in jerseys they enjoyed a cheese steak sandwich before heading to the Wachovia Center. They passed a few of the hotels in Philadelphia and Frank wondered if any of them contained fans for the other team. It was truly a magical evening, one that Frank would never forget.

Sam Shepard always seemed to be at the front of the stagecoach when it came to writing that was not self-aware, but at the same time utterly mad, and utterly visionary.  This is not un-self-aware, and it’s not a review of Lie of the Mind, but might be a reflection on mortality.  I hope it’s not poignant, nor too self-conscious.  Either way, this is very shaky ground, because I am from a certain generation that came of age when Shepard was already recognized as one of the major writers of the generation that came before us.  The stories we heard about were apocryphal and sometimes apocalyptic, but always interesting, because he had some secrets that he kept secret.
In a field where everyone tells you everything about themselves, to the point where they believe there are no lies or shadows left hidden in their souls, it was refreshing to meet a hero that prescribed hiding out.  It’s ironic and not that www.newyorkbroadwaytickets.net  is offering seats for the revival of his Lie of the Mind, directed by Ethan Hawke.  It’s got a great cast, and all the signs point to a solid work that everyone will probably pan anyway, just because that’s what they do.

But the real irony comes when I think about how we were coming of age right on the heels of Buried Child.  A few of us who liked to escape in libraries would find the copies of his early work, and realize that this was a reckless genius who was telling our stories, about our addictions, our demons, and our families.  There was something of a reluctant shaman about Sam, which later proved to be a mantle he’d throw off like Dylan, one of our other heroes.  Ethan Hawke was just becoming popular in those years.  To see that he’s directing the work, and what was once our present is now called a revival, this suggests that the wheel has truly spun another round, and there’s a generation of kids right now who just might have a sense that there’s something of a liberation in the visionary, along with a number of traps, if they care to ask for advice from the ones who came before.

My luck has never been very strong when it comes to the big competitions that the world seems to care so much about, so I try not to get caught up in anything.  I focus my luck on making things work in my own life, whether it’s finding parking spaces, better jobs, or hoping that the movie hasn’t started yet.  When I’m in Singapore, however, it all changes.  I can’t really say what it is, exactly, but something about the place makes me fall madly, deeply, and even truly, in love with anything that has even a hint of the sheen of pop culture.  I just go for it, and whatever the genre, whether it’s sports or music or even industrial design, I love to be somewhere in the middle of the crowd.

I made a decision not to get caught up this time, and instead, focused my trip on enjoying all of the things besides pop culture.  I love going to the galleries, and there’s always some exciting new performance art going on here, that’s much better than the work in my hometown, which is always so derivative of Marina’s early body work.  And when it comes to finding a good Chinese restaurant, I have an incredible skill.  It’s like second nature to me, although finding a good Chinese place in Singapore is sort of like finding a  goatee in Seattle.  So I was altogether absorbed and very happily into my appetizers when I couldn’t help but over hear the table next to me talking about Singapore Idol.

Thousands were expected turn out to see the finals live, and I had happily avoided it altogether.  But someone was talking about how they really wanted Sezairi Sezali to win, because they couldn’t stand seeing a woman get the award.  This made me so angry that I became a fan of Sylvia Ratonel right there on the spot.  By the next morning, I knew everything about her.  I knew that she didn’t eat her vegetables, and I forgave her for that.  I also forgave her for snoring like a trucker, and even imagined its sound in my mind.  It was sweet.  So cute.  So very like Sylvia.  Of course, she lost, because that’s my luck, and that’s my curse, and I just want to tell her I’m sorry.  But you know I love you.

When circumstances dictate a time necessary to ask for money from friends or relatives, but they too are cash strapped, then it’s time to consider applying on-line for a money mutual loan, otherwise known as a Payday loan. A Payday loan will take the anxiety away from the borrower by being the best solution to a financial crunch, plus the loan will be funded almost immediately; as for a regular bank, it can take up to a month for them to go through the application alone and then, most likely the bank will not approve of the loan, which in turn, will only delay payment of that unexpected bill and make the borrowers anxieties rise.

A money mutual loan, is also called, in the financial world, a micro-loan and the function of a micro-loan is to help people who are in urgent need of cash and an easy way to receive that cash. Payday loans are short-term loans that will provide an unsecured loan that can be obtained by applying on-line at any number of Payday loan websites, like advertised on the Money Mutual Montel Williams commercial.  There is no credit check and no reason is necessary when applying. These sites are open 24/7, because companies know emergencies wait for no one.

There are some qualifications needed before considering applying for a Money Mutual (Payday) loan: the borrowers needs to be 18 years of age, a United States of America Citizen, a valid checking account and an minimum income per month. If all the above criteria are met, the borrower will have the cash wired to their bank account within 24 hours. The repayment is usually by the borrowers next payday, which is highly recommended to make this type of short-term loan beneficial.

All and all, no matter what term you call this loan: money mutual, Payday or micro-loan, this loan only benefits the borrower in several different ways. The borrower can pay off credit cards or pay late bills that will stop late fees or penalties. In turn, the borrowers credit rating will improve and those bothersome collection calls will cease; giving the borrower a way out of debt. What could be better than being out of debt? So, next time an emergency arises, or you can’t make your payments on-time for your bills, go on-line and apply for a short-term Payday loan.

While the island of Mauritius is small, with a population of just about one million, the variety of the cultures is vast.  The different neighborhoods, festivals, religions, and ethnic backgrounds of the people who now make up the Mauritian population make this one of the most interesting and exciting destinations for those on summer, or winter for that matter, holiday in Mauritius.  Luxury hotel and resort accommodations are plentiful, as well as the restaurants, the museums, the water sports and the wildlife adventures in the mountains, for every aspect of this island is the very definition of diversity and rich cultural and natural history.

Walking down any of the city streets one may find an Indian restaurant which sits next to a Muslim mosque which sits next to a French cafe.  Each of these cultures retain their own rituals and ceremonies making this one of the most fascinating places during festival times.  And in keeping with tolerance and the appreciation for those of different backgrounds, the Mauritians will always welcome travelers wishing to join in on the fun and the celebrations.

Should one be on the island in the beginning of the calendar year, during January and February they will have the opportunity to partake in the Chinese Spring Festival.   Red, which is the color that symbolizes happiness, fills the streets, and there are feasts, and firecrackers and dancing.  In February the Hindu population celebrates as well, with the Maha Shivaratree festival.  During this time, the Hindus on the island will wear all white clothing and walk throughout the island during the three days of the ceremonies.

The Muslim population celebrates the end of Ramadan with the Id El Fitr Festival.   This is a time of feasts and the giving of gifts.   There are many more festivals that take place throughout the year.  Many find that the Christian holidays of Christmas and Easter are memorable when celebrated on the island, as with these holidays as well as all of the festivals, each and every cultures takes part in the celebration of the others.

When I attended a special opera event at the Buxton Opera House, I was approached by a volunteer asking if I’ve ever attended the Buxton Puppet Festival which the opera house presents every year. Of course, I have not. I don’t live here, I only come here on special requests from the Opera House for a particular fund raiser. The volunteer was so excited to find out that I’ve never been the the Puppet Festival and asked me if I had time for her to tell me all about it. Her enthusiasm was overwhelming, so I couldn’t deny her the chance.

This up coming August will be the Puppet Festivals sixth annual event. It’s in conjunction with Funny Wonders. In addition to the puppet performances, there will be workshops for all age held at the Opera House, at the Paupers Pit and all around town. At the Opera House, there will be two favorite puppet performing, Presto Puppet Theatre will be returning with the retelling of Aladin and the Lempen Puppet Theatre present a touching Fable, Journey of Turtles.

Funny Wonders Young People’s Company will present ‘The Silk Road’. A culmination of an on going project that started over a year ago.  Apparently, the company travelled to Japan and collaborated with another puppet theater and what they experience will be brought back here and has inspired the performance of ‘The Silk Road’.  Later, after that performance the Japanese puppet master Nori Sawa will hold a workshop for children and adults. As for the Paupers Pit and the Old Hall Hotel, there will be daily programs of puppet shows. Then there will be two unique events outdoors in the Pavilion Gardens.

The volunteers energy never waned when she told me all about the Puppet Festival. As I returned to one of the Buxton Hotels, I couldn’t help remember how much I loved a good puppet show. I’ve never really attended a professional show, only the ones my siblings put on to entertain the family during summer breaks. I think I’ll have to come back next month and revisit fond memories.

I made a special stop at Bristol with my wife and our two children and stayed at a Bristol Hotel in order for me to take them to the Bristol zoo. I have such fond memories of the zoo and I wanted my family to share what was my childhood.

After we spent the night at the hotel, we went early in the morning to have a full fun day at the zoo. Bristol Zoo has changed, I almost didn’t recognize it. What was weird was I did recognize the brown elephant signpost which has faithfully pointed the way to the zoo every since I was a child, but the Bristol Zoo no longer has elephants. Going through the zoo’s entrance, we now had to go through the gift shop first. Effective, sure. You can’t enter or leave the zoo without having to go through the gift shop. My children most definitely wanted all the very expensive items offered in the shop.

I successfully navigated my children through the shop without having to open my wallet, of course promising they’ll get something when we leave. We finally proceeded to the zoo itself and walked by beautiful trees and landscaping which were quite stunning and well manicured. This was new for me, or I just don’t remember, or I’m now more mature where I appreciate wonderful landscaping. The zoo is rather small, I remember being so much bigger. But, it’s only twelve acres. We stopped by the one of the two cafe/snack place’s the zoo offers and I was blown away with the pricing. Very expensive. If I wasn’t travelling, I would’ve prepared our own picnic basket, which the zoo allows.

As we strolled around the zoo, I noticed that there was more space dedicated to gardens, nice picnic areas and lakes than to animals. I got the feeling that it really wasn’t a zoo anymore, but more like a parkland. My kids weren’t disappointed though, they didn’t care that they didn’t see elephants, giraffes, rhinos or polar bears, like I did when I was a kid. All they wanted to do was chase all the ducks and geese around the lake, eat and of course have Dad buy them something from the gift shop when we leave.

The Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago is well known for launching the premier productions of many plays that will go on to become major theatrical hits and move on to New York productions. It is a Tony Award winning company that is internationally recognized. It is also one of the most prominent and respected theatre companies in Chicago. Tickets for theatre productions are available at the box office and also online. Steppenwolf was founded in 1974 by Jeff Perry, Terry Kinney and Gary Sinese and was originally located in the basement area of a church in Highland Park. The group chose the company’s name based on the Herman Hesse novel. Since 1997, longtime ensemble member Martha Lavey has served as the Artistic Director.

The theatre has had a few location changes throughout their existence and is now located on Halsted Street. It is one of the most successful regional theatre companies and has an annual subscription base of nearly 20,000. In 1982 they staged a production of the Sam Shepard play True West. This was the first of many subsequent productions to move on to New York productions. August: Osage County was the latest of productions to come from this company and it went on to become a Tony Award winning show in New York. It is one of the most critically successful productions to come from the company.

The play was written by Tracy Letts who is a company member, and was directed by fellow ensemble member Anna D. Shapiro. The Steppenwolf theatre has a strong commitment to the development of new work. Their New Plays initiative works with playwrights from the international scene and is aimed at supporting the new work of emerging writers as well as though that have already established a certain level of career success. Many of America’s top actors have launched their careers here and some of them are Joan Allen, John Malkovich, Gary Cole, Martha Plimpton and Laurie Metcalf.

Elton John is an incredible musician composer and performer. His concerts are extremely energetic, dynamic and constitute an event as well as a performance. He usually has a group of background singers placed onstage that dance and sing, which greatly contributes to the overall vibrancy of the show. One of the other interesting aspect of his performances is that they are extremely diverse and represent multiple populations and communities. Audiences of all ages fill the seats and dance on the floors at his shows, as well as various ethnicities, genders and sexual orientations. This contributes to the festival atmosphere of his concerts. His concert tickets always sell out in record time.

Elton John is unique in his appeal, which stresses across many social and political boundaries. He also has the distinction of having been the background musical themes for many people throughout their lives. He has been performing and creating hit songs for decades, and people from all generations love him. Even people that have never purchases one of his albums will recognize most or all of the songs on his play list because they have all been hits at one time or another.

Songs like Goodbye Yellowbrick Road, Daniel and Candle in the Wind, among many others, are still played on the popular radio stations on a daily basis. It’s almost impossible to exist today and not be familiar with and even a fan of some of John’s music. His songs reflect the temperance of various social periods and many people reflect back on specific points in their lives and relationships that relate to particular songs. In addition to his albums, Elton John has written the music or worked in other areas on Broadway musicals. He has contributed to the creation of Billy Elliot the Musical, The Lion King, Aida, Lestat. He has also appeared as himself and characters in films. He played himself in Spice World, and The Country Bears and also he played the Pinball Wizard in Tommy.

My friends and I were standing in line to get Event Tickets for a haunted house attraction, when our highschool teacher came walking past us laughing so hard he could hardly walk. We stopped him and asked him if the Haunted House wasn’t that scary, and all he could do at the moment was shake his head ‘no’, then he finally stopped laughing and told us that there was a student he knew going through the new Maze addition of the Haunted House and all the student could do is scream like a young female going through a horrible fraternity hazing. Then he started laughing again and stumbled away from us.

We got our tickets and went inside hoping that who ever the student was, was still inside. While we kept our eyes open a guy wearing a white sheet had been keeping it pretty lively and scaring not only me, cause he snuck up on me, but many other people as well. The ghost then balled himself up on the floor, like in a fetal position and began to moan and horrendous sound. My other friends were laughing, but I thought this guy wasn’t acting. He wasn’t, I saw a man running away from the ghost fast and heard someone yell to stop him, he had just slugged the ghost in the stomach.
I figured being punched in the stomach or any other part of the body would be par for the course sneaking up on someone and screaming in their ear. When he did that to me, I almost turned around and punched him, luckily, I did not. I would’ve felt really bad. When my friends found out the real reason the ghost was on the ground, they really began to laugh hard. Finally, two men with headsets came by and picked up the ghost and helped carry him out of the event. I didn’t know why my friends found that even more funny that someone got hurt. I will have to revisit that thought later.

We made it to the Maze and heard many screams coming from deep inside. It was dark, so we had to grope our way around in the dark, I’m a little claustrophobic, so being dark, groping and in a small enclosed area really got my nerves going. We’d bump into disoriented people who were desperate to find the exit. Spookers hiding around every corner scared me each time even though I knew they would. I was familiar with how Maze’s work, so my strategy was to follow the right-side walls, but that wasn’t working at all. I heard one of my friends say ‘Over hear’, so I groped in that general direction and that’s when…I heard that student scream like a young girl during a frat hazing. I was laughing so hard, I almost peed my pants.

I really wanted to get the feel of Harlem, so I investigated if there was maybe a walking tour and there is! I had one day free to do what I wanted during my business meetings, so I thought, what a great opportunity to get to know and understand the history of a historical place. I contacted the concierge at one of the Top New York Hotels and ask if they could steer me to the right place. They could, and they not only arranged the reservations for me, they requested a private tour.

It was nice to be able to leave the buses and subways behind and walk the streets of Harlem to feel the sights and sounds that are the epitome of the Black Capital of America. I met up with my personal tour guide who actually works and lives in Harlem. This insiders view managed to transport me back to the days of the Harlem Renaissance. A period when Harlem was filled to the brim with talented artists, musicians, civil rights leaders and writers. I got to see speakeasies, churches (where I got to listen to the uplifting sounds of a gospel choir in practice), pristine neighborhoods, jazz clubs from the 1920′s. My favorite sight is the original Cotton Club. But, it was hard to choose which was my second most favorite sight. I liked the Langston Hughes Home, The Center for Research in Black Culture, the place where Madame Walker and daughter A’lelia Walker lived and the home of Wallace Thurman was especially nice.

My personal tour guide gave my photographs and made sure that I would hear Harlem Renaissance music. But what was most astounding for me was that here in Harlem is some of the most spectacular architecture in all of Manhattan; Harlem is soaked it amazing architecture. We were running out of time, but my wonderfully amazing guide managed to talk me to Sugar Hill. This is where some of the most famous heroes and heroines lived, like Paul Robeson, Malcolm X, Count Basie and WEB DuBois. I was stunned with how different the atmosphere was here compared to the Southern part of Harlem. The day ending with a dinner at one of the eateries in Harlem. A nice touch. I said goodbye to my guide and headed back to my hotel room feeling like I lived during the Renaissance of Harlem.

After the gold rush in Melbourne had come to an end, fewer immigrants from China were enter the city.  The business shifted as did the residents.  There were still Chinese owned shops, bakeries, and restaurants and cafes however.  But the draw to the neighborhood was coming from the general population on the whole.  Many Europeans had discovered the flavors of Chinatown and were frequenting the businesses.  It was the students of the 1930′s however, that made this area of the city, the ‘hip’ and cultural scene.  Many Chinese who had recently immigrated still found their social and cultural ties on these streets, however newer immigrants at this time tending to move to the out lying areas, and not into Chinatown.

And by the late 40′s and early 50′s, many became concerned, thinking that the neighborhood just may completely disappear.  Big department commercial stores began moving in taking away a bit from the charm of the area, forcing many smaller businesses and boutique hotel Melbourne supported out of commission.  Many historical and artistic architectural structures were demolished by the end of the 50′s.  But, as the 1960′s began, the times began to change and the cultural began to shift.  During the same era, the Chinatown neighborhood of San Francisco was booming, and this inspired the city in Australia.  Tourism was becoming a huge industry, and the City Council of Melbourne decided to invest in the redevelopment and revitalization of Little Burke Street, and in Chinatown on the whole.

Government funding became available and an innovative plan was begun in 1984.  Lighting and decorations were installed, as well as the rehabilitation of older buildings and street and sidewalk pavement replaced.  Many more have immigrated since that time, from Malaysia, Singapore, and Taiwan.  This has led to an even more diverse, but still Asian culture, with the arts and the cuisine of various nations supporting each other.  Many more Asian students have filled the universities of Melbourne as a result, and the business of the community is doing better than ever, making this one of the most fascinating locations to visit on a holiday tour in Melbourne.

For all of the countries with five star hotels, Spain has a variety that is as wide as its regions, and its people.  There are at least a dozen languages spoken, and the climate can vary tremendously from place to place.  Local variants in food can lead toward a tendency to want to take a culinary tour of the country, but this, like anything else here, would take longer than one lifetime.  There are some standards that are the same from place to place, and these are evident in the hotels.  There is a love of both tradition and innovation, and guests here can expect to find old-world hospitality coupled with new technology.  There are also all the other qualities that are standard in five-star hotels, where excellence in service, design, and amenities are just the beginning.

Spain has something for everyone, and is one of the most fascinating countries in Europe.  With an extremely rich and complicated history, cultures that have reputations for being warm and friendly, and a sensibility that embraces style and elegance, Spain is, and has always been, a superb destination.  There are also some very famous and colorful characters who come from Spain, and one of its most favorite daughters these days is Penelope Cruz.  With dozens and dozens of film roles, television appearances, and high media attention, there are very few places in the world she can go without attracting a lot of attention.

It’s a beautiful arc for this character, as her origins are a little more humble.  Born in Madrid to a middle class family, her father was a mechanic and her mother was a hairdresser.  She studied classical ballet before she got the notion, when she saw Almodóvar’s ¡Átame! (Tie Me Up, Tie Me Down!), to be an actress.  This was prescient, because not only has she become one of the most visible actresses working today, she has become one of Almodóvar’s favorites.  She had a leading role in Todo sobre mi madre (All About My Mother), and she won a very well-deserved nomination for Volver (To Return).  She has had many other roles, in films in Spanish and English, and is developing a reputation for her complex portrayals of complex characters, which might be shorthand for saying that she’s arrived.  Penelope Cruz just might be the Queen of Spain.

The New York City Broadway theatre scene is the most prominent in the United States. While Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle and other major US cities also have an incredible and diverse theatre scene, Broadway is definitely the Great White Way and the icon of American theatre. Avenue Q is currently playing at the Golden Theatre between 8th and Broadway. It is a Tony Award winning musical comedy and is scheduled to play through mid September of this year, which will mark an incredible 6 year run. The Best New York City hotel will offer information on this and other shows at the front desk.

Avenue Q began previews in July of 2003, and has been extremely popular with all audiences since its first performance. Before its Broadway run it ran on Off Broadway at the Vineyard Theatre. The musical follows the adventures of a recent college graduate who moves to New York to follow his dreams. It was conceived by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, who wrote the music and lyrics. The book was by Jeff Whitty, and the story is inspired by the Sesame Street Characters. The musical is full of puppets, and many of them are based on those found in the classic children’s educational program.

While this might seem like a children’s show, based on the inspiration and character base, it should be known that there is adult language, themes and profanity. This is evident in one of the most popular songs from the show, The Internet is for Porn. The musical has had a successful turning production in Australia and was also produced in London’s West End. If planning on attending the production, audiences should just remember that while it is a comedy, and full of puppets, it is not recommended for young children, and adult supervision is essential for older youth and adolescents.

A few years ago, well many years ago, in 2002 I visited my dear friend Robert.  Robert was born in Queens and is the standard for the New York personality.  We had not seen each other for a few years, and during that time, I had moved from Phoenix, to Los Angeles to Chicago and back again.  He had been working in the city, and had been jogging in Central Park on the morning of 9/11.  Life goes by so quickly.  When I first stepped off of the plane in LaGuardia, I had to find my way to the bus that would take me to Grand Central Station.  Robert was to be waiting there for me.  The bus took me across the Brooklyn Bridge, and with tears in my eyes I wondered just how life had been for those living in Manhattan, or visiting the city and hanging out in the rooms of the 5 star New York hotels on that day…a few years prior.

I saw Robert at Grand Central, he looking so dapper in his black wool trench coat, and I realized in one moment, how much I had missed his face.  And he was smiling.  And we took the subway, and as it was close to Christmas there were jazz bands playing at every station.  Christmas tunes.  Once we arrived at his flat on the Upper East side, we order pizza and had a bit of wine.  We took off for his local pub, had a few Guinness and then went back to his place to promptly fall to sleep.  The next day was a day that I will never forget.  We woke up, felt woozy after the wine, and the Guinness.  We had dinner at an incredible Italian place in SOHO, then got into a cab and said…”Cabbie, take us to Hell!”  Hell is a dance club located in the meat packing district.  Once we escaped from Hell, we went on to a small piano bar called Brandy’s.

Now, previously we had been by the site of the Twin Towers.  It was an empty construction site by that time, but the rod iron fence surrounding the cathedral across the street was still decorated by the shirts of the firemen from different U.S. cities that had participated in the rescue efforts on that day when my friend was jogging in Central Park.  And I thought about that.  I had been in Chicago that day, and watching the news and not able to get through on the telephone to Robert.  So, after wine and pasta, we end up at Brandy’s, a sing along joint.  Just as the band was packing up, I asked the singer if he would sing, “Danny Boy”.  I don’t know why that song popped into my head, but it did.  And even though he was ready to go, the singer said, yes.  And in one moment, the entire bar was singing along with tears streaming down their cheeks.  When all was said and done, Robert told me that that song is an anthem, for police and firemen in New York, and although the construction site was cleared, the shirts of those that risked their lives were still hanging on a fence.  The city never forgets.  New York, New York…the best city in the world.

One of the funnest spots to travel for spring break for students throughout the world is the country of Australia. There are safaris through the outback, numerous surf spots along the coasts, and many options for those wanting the adventures of deep sea fishing or relaxing times out on the waters whale watching.  The Australia spa resorts and hotels offer many amenities, and sometimes even discounted rates for student travelers.  For those wishing and outdoor feast during their break, there is none other than a tour along the Margaret River.

And for those tourists spending time in Perth, Australia, this area is just a short road trip, a four hour drive through some of the most incredible scenic areas of the country.  Spring season in Australia runs from September throughout November, and is a time of wild flowers in bloom, sunshine and the chance to drive along side, while whales swim along side in their spring migratory routes.  All aspects of the River are uplifting and the perfect way to escape the daily grind of college courses and the work week so many get obsessed with.  Lives are uplifted during this time on the continent.

Along the River there are many locations for fine dining as well as the tastings of some of the finest of Australian wines from the various regions.  The vineyards located in the Karri Forest valley offer wine tasting lunches, and are surrounded by caves that tunnel underground.  The perfect spot for walking off the wine and the food in the afternoon.  There are also many beaches located along the forest that are wonderful for a mid afternoon swim, or a ride on the surf boards.  The coastline is dramatic, with cliffs and diving spots, and is even more enhanced by the dolphins and the whales that are regularly spotted in the area.  This is one of the many ideal places in Australia, to get a bit of the outdoors, combined with the conveniences of the modern world.

Robert Von Hagge is a world renown designer of golf courses. He has designed three in Madrid including the Costa Brava, Emporda and the Real Sociedad. He now has a corporation by the same name and serves as its CEO. His father was Ben F. von Hagge and was a close associate of Donald Ross, the famous course architect from Scotland. Von Hagge literally grew up on golf courses and they became his life passion. Tourists often enjoy a day of golf while on vacation and some of the Madrid best hotels have information on those he designed as well as others that are located in city and throughout the area.

Because of his family orientation to the sport and his early life on the courses, Von Hagge had worked in many positions on the course by the time he was 17. He had early experience in the pro shops and served as a caddy. All of these elements of his childhood and youth provided him with great insight into what makes for a spectacular course. He studied at the Purdue University Agricultural School where he majored in landscape architecture. Throughout his career he as designed some of the worlds top and most prestigious courses.

He has designed courses for over 50 cities and some of these include San Francisco, Paris, San Diego, Sydney, Tokyo and of course Madrid. The PGA has had many tournaments on his courses, including the Bosque Real Country Club in Mexico City and Le Golf National in Paris. He has won numerous awards for his designs and his name has become iconic with great courses. The firm continues to great courses throughout the world and has many projects in the works. Golf is an extremely popular sport and many people enjoy playing it regardless of their skill levels.

There is ample evidence that 5-star Mallorca hotels are some of the loveliest accommodations in the world.  There is an enormous graciousness and hospitality here, which is a reflection of the island.  Offering a luxurious combination of new-world amenities and old-world charm, the hotels have every detail covered, and then some.  Guests will find themselves in a place with absolutely stunning style, world-class design, and timeless beauty.

Mallorca is one of the most splendid places on earth.  It has long been on the list of places to come to rejuvenate the mind and the senses, and it was typical in the past for doctors to prescribe visits to Mallorca, because of its stunning climate and glorious beaches.  There is certainly something to be said for living close to water, as attested to by the vivaciousness of the residents.  Visitors will also be in for a cultural feast, as the museums, live music, and night life are out of this world, and offer something for the entire family.  There is also a fantastic sense of mystery here, the kind that’s only present in old cities on the water.  One of the favorites among locals and visitors is the story of El Drac de La Coca, or, the Dragon of La Coca.

The story begins in the 17th century.  Apparently a baby crocodile was brought to Mallorca on a ship, and then set free in the underground labyrinth of the city of Palma de Mallorca.  Here, the crocodile began to grow to an enormous size, and some sightings of him put the tail as over 4 feet long and covered with spikes.  It would feast on rats and cats, according to the stories, and eventually babies, coming out of the underground at night to terrorize the streets while the city slept.  Here, it lived for a century, and the stories grew, until one night, in 1776, the governor of Alcdia, Bartomeu Coch, saw El Drac while he was courting his paramour.  He killed it with his sword, and offered it to her as proof of his love.  For fantastical stories, it’s got everything.  And even better, one can actually visit the remains of El Drac in el Museo Diocesano, if there’s any doubt about it’s validity!

One of the most predominant aspects of the culture of Thailand, the heart and soul if one may be so bold to state…is the art.  Thai artists are world renown for their attention to detail, their stylistic design, and their competence that is supported throughout, by the traditions of their ancestors.  Treasures are found on the island from Surin to Patong to Phuket City and back again.  This is a country that is pre-occupied, occupied, and driven by expression in the arts.

Patong is a city that has been famous for a number of reasons in the past, their night life, the coverage of the city, post trauma after the tsunami…and what has also begun is a world wide interest in the market of art.  Many travel the world around, to have the opportunity to purchase original works of art, along with the reproductions of famous paintings the Thai painters are so adept at producing.  Many tourists visit, attending the openings of contemporary and modern works, as well as the traditional and mixed media installations presented in many of the hotels and the Phuket Beach resort.

Along side the artisan booths of the markets, sit up-market galleries, located near the Plaza and the area surrounding the village of Laguna.  Fine artworks are on display and up for sale from the artists of the various regions of the country.  Rare relics and antiques from the entire region of Southeast Asia can be found in the markets of Phuket.  Also popping up are high-end boutiques, offering the works of the artisans, seamstresses and jewelers of the region.

The Burmese, the Chinese, and the Vietnamese artists are traveling daily to the markets, selling their creations to the many tourists in search of exotic mementos to bring home with them. And should one wish to purchase a wood carving created by the Shan family of Burma, be prepared to wait on the return of the investment, as the hand carved sculptures require three years to cure, at which point the final artistic touches will be applied.  Shopping for art is one of the most fascinating aspects of the country of Thailand, even if one is not so fond of shopping in general.

Water has been used and recognized for many years for its properties that induce the healing of the human body.  Hydrotherapy is quickly becoming an accepted form of physical therapy in the scientific world.  Be in in the form of heat, such as the hot tubs found at choosehottubsdirect.com, or in the form of ice.  One of the more popular forms of this is known as ‘contrast baths’.  This involves patients being completely immersed in a hot tub for just one to two minutes, then transferred directly into a tub fill with cold water for thirty seconds.  This back and forth between the hot and the cold happens anywhere from five to ten times in a single therapy session.  The final soak will be in the cold tub.  This form of treatment is not used on those that are elderly, or on small children.  Just as well, those with particular dispositions that would lead them towards nervousness are often not treated in this manner either.

This form of therapy results in the a heighten pumping of the heart and of the blood, forcing more blood through to the vital organs or to the areas that are in need of healing and attention.  The back and forth causes the dilation and the constriction of the blood vessels at a rapid rate.  Any areas of the body that are swollen will benefit from this procedure greatly.  The rapid pumping of blood ensures that fresh blood is pass through the vessels, veins and arteries transporting the agents necessary for the healing process.  This is also great for the reduction of pain, and is used on specific body parts as well, such as sprained ankles or sore shoulders.  One specific disease that is often treated in this manner is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Tendinitis.  Following a break in a bone, this procedure is often performed on the patient prior to the application of the cast, to ensure that the swelling is at the lowest rate possible before the plaster is applied, thus securing a firm cast.  Contrast baths also serve to relax one as well, and are often used for simply the reason of the reduction of stress.