Zoocap

Jerusalem is the city were the conversation of religion has the most expression. Many faiths are present in the city and it gives and opportunity, if taken, to see what the different religious faiths believe. How are the faiths the same and how are they different. People come and fill the hotel rooms every year to find out more about the religious world we live in.

Islam has a strong presence in Jerusalem. There is a beautiful museum filled with the impressive art and craft called the Museum for Islamic Art in Jerusalem . The collection there will open peoples eyes to the fact that the Swiss are not the only ones who make amazing clocks and watches. The Islamic community have very stylish and well crafted watches and clocks on display in this Jerusalem museum.

There are also some beautiful collections of archeological finds that have been restored and put on display. The jewelers also have their collections shared that come from all areas of the Empire. See how the people express themselves in everyday things such as embroidered rugs, chessboards and pieces, calligraphy, home decor and even some old playing cards.

Over twenty years ago, a crime was committed in a Turkish-occupied section of Cyprus. Thieves broke into a chapel near Lysi and and stole 13th century masterworks, tearing out a dome and an apse, cutting them into pieces and smuggling them off the island, planning to sell them piece by piece. With the approval of the Church of Cyprus, the rightful owners of the frescoes, the Menil Foundation in Houston, Texas, purchased the 38 fragments from the thieves and then restored them over a two-year period, constructing the Byzantine Fresco Chapel in which to house and display these works of art.

Free to everyone, the chapel opened in February 1997, where, for the last 13 years, visitors have been able to view the only intact frescoes in the western hemisphere, let alone in the United States.

The work includes a dome depicting Christ Pantocrator — “pantocrator” is a term more commonly understood in the Eastern Orthodox Catholic church, and rarely used in Western Roman Catholicism; it means variously “Almighty” or “All-powerful,” literally, “Ruler of All,” and more generally as “sustainer of the world” — and an apse that depicts the Virgin Mary, the Panayia — “panayia” is another title for the Virgin Mayor in Eastern Orthodoxy, suggesting an image where the Virgin Mary faces the viewer.

The chapel itself is about a 4,000 square foot space, a 4 million dollar building made of stone, glass and wood that was designed by architect Francois de Menil, the son of philanthropists John and Dominique de Menil. The intent was to create a space that could work both as an art museum and as a spiritual place. You’ll find this unique chapel and these frescoes in the museum district, near the best hotels in Houston , at 4011 Yupon Street and Branard Street. The chapel is open from eleven in the morning to six in the afternoon, from Wednesdays through Sundays.

Cape Girardeau is one of the historic cities of Missouri that continues to represent a great deal of its history not only in its cultural traditions but also in many of the local buildings. The downtown area retains many of its early buildings and it has the charm of an early American town. The town itself was incorporated in 1808, which was prior to the state’s incorporation. However, in 1843 it was reincorporated, though it actually existed as a trading post from approximately 1733. It was established by the French soldier Jean Baptiste de Girardot and the small trading post community would later, after the invention of the steamboat, become the largest port along the Mississippi river that existed between Memphis and St. Louis.

The city has had some interactions with fame in recent decades due primarily to some of its residents. The drama critic for the Wall Street Journal, Terry Teachout, was born there. Teachout is also the chief culture critic for Commentary and has written for other major newspapers and magazines including National Review and the New York Times. In addition, Teachout has a column he authored and continues called Sightings, in which he comments on and discusses the arts in America. This column appears bi-weekly in the Wall Street Journal and you can also read his blog entries at the site About Last Night.

In addition to his critical an analytical writings, Teachout has also had some success as a creative writer. Among other things he wrote the libretto for the opera The Letter, which was based on the Somerset Maugham play. The opera was composed by Paul Moravec.  Many of the residents of Cape Girardeau are well aware of their famous son, though many of the guests who are visiting may read his column in the morning paper though never realize he is from the city as they enjoy their stay in one of the Missouri hotels.

This part of the trip is always the strangest.  Getting somewhere is always hard, because there are all the impossible things that have to happen before.  You leave a place, and it is almost like closing up the little shop that is your life.  It takes a lot of effort to keep that life going, so when you leave it, it almost seems as though it might not be open when you get back, and all the things that were there have changed, and the people you know have decided to move.  So all that you have of that life is what you’re carrying, and at a point you have to look at it and decide that this is enough, this is plenty of material with which to make a new life.

It’s sometimes easier in Manhattan and sometimes not.  There are hotels, to be sure, at this site, and you know that the stay will be wonderful as always.  And in New York, they have everything, so if you decide you don’t have what you need to create a life, you can find materials to keep building.  But that also reminds you that it might be easier than you’d suspected to create your life, and that the years you put into it might have been easier if only you’d known that you didn’t need that much.  So you decide to go to a gallery and see how the other artists are doing this, how they are constructing their lives.

This part is where is becomes somehow magical.  There is a lot to see, and a lot of ideas, and this is exciting, because there are people here who are just like you, and you know that you can do this too.  This is, after all, exactly what you’re doing in your own city.  This gallery has video, and painting, and performance, and this is what you know, too.  At the same time, it’s a small pinch of jealousy that comes in, because you might be here, but you’re not, and the people here seem to be so decided about what they’re doing.  A half of a conversation later, and you start to sense the same fears and doubts that you have, but they’ve decided to continue anyway.  Exactly like you’ve done, and like you’re doing, and in spite of yourself, this is becoming sweet.

Dennis had to tell his family and friends that he was going to move back to New York. He was born and raised in a small town in Oklahoma and grew up with the ambition of being an actor. He demonstrated an early talent for the stage and everyone in his town knew that he was destined for a career on Broadway. When he was eighteen his family contributed to small moving fund for him and this enabled him to make a major move. At the young age of eighteen he headed off for the big city all by himself with the same dream and ambition that millions of other young people pursue. Well, his parents did go with him on a pre-move trip. They stayed in nice hotel like this and helped him find a studio apartment. They also looked at the theatre information boards and tried to get him settled in. He seemed to have everything he needed when they left him there on his own.

However, like many of the other people who move to New York to pursue a career in the theatre he became distracted by various other elements, like trying to make a living and pay his bills. He started working backstage at a small theatre in Greenwich Village and really only checked the audition boards a few times during his first year there. And he only actually went to an audition once. He developed some friendships at the small company and became comfortable there. His life continued in this manner for about five years when his roommate moved to Boston and he finally decided he just couldn’t afford to live in New York anymore. He packed up his bags and headed home.

His family and friends were all happy to see him and welcomed him back into the small community without judgment or criticism. He started to work at the local laundry facility and had worked there for about six months when his desire to perform started to get the best of him. Dennis considered his years in New York and the mistakes he made while there. He wondered if he should try and start a theatre company in his hometown. He thought about this night after night and it began to plague his thoughts during the day so that he couldn’t focus on anything else. He made a new plan. He was older now and would approach it with a stronger commitment and be more responsible and wise. He knew the time was right for him, but he had to face telling everyone in town that he was moving again.

I have always been drawn to the style of Art Deco.  The art and the architecture seems somewhat contradictory to me, in that it looks modern while retaining a vintage feel.  I don’t know if that makes sense, but when I found myself standing in the middle of the Art Deco District in South Beach I was in heaven.  To be honest I was not sure what to expect when I was preparing for my first visit to Miami.  I have never been a bikini wearing beach kind of person, my favorite time on beaches is during storms, so I was wondering just what I would do once I got there.  I found a great hotel online at miamiluxuryhotels.com and when I checked in I explained this dilemma of mine to my bellboy on the way to my room.  He asked what I was interested in and I told him art, food, history, coffee, street markets…and he said that I must visit the South Beach Art Deco District. 

In this district there are more than eight hundred buildings of the Art Deco style.  I had my camera with me of course, and filled the memory card with images of these fabulous buildings to paint from later on when I got back home to my studio.  I went into the lounge of one of the hotels and ordered a drink at the bar.  I asked the bartender about the neighborhood and he gave the full story.  He said that most of the buildings were constructed through the 1920′s, which was also during the time of the prohibition. 

Much of the South Beach area became known for gambling and illegal liquor and speak-easies, attracting mobsters and crime.  For the next few decades the area became quite a slum.  But, he told me, the popular 1980′s TV show “Miami Vice” changed all that.  I questioned him and he said that the show had a lot to do with it, but that at the time the Miami Design Preservation League took interest in the neighborhood and restored all of the buildings to their original beauty.  The Art Deco district and all of South Beach is now one of the chicest and most visited areas of Miami.  I thanked him, and set back out on my journey to explore more of South Beach, and to discover a bit more of the history as well.

Whether it is culture, long walks along the beach, or open air markets, Toronto has it all, and when you are searching for the perfect apartment, TransGlobe Property Management will have just what you need.  The sense of community has garnered this city to placed at the top of the best cities in which to live in all of North America.  Should you wish a place overlooking Lake Ontario, you will not be disappointed.  If rollerblading, jogging or cycling is your thing, the boardwalk is the place to be.

This is a very casual and laid back section of the city of Toronto, as most beachfront neighborhoods tend to be, and although it is a suburb of the city, it is more similar to a beach resort.  Festivals occur throughout the summer months, and the restaurants and the bars are plentiful.  Just as is also true of cosmopolitan cities, there is a variety of cultures who call this city their home, and finding great experiences in Little Italy or Chinatown is a great way to grasp the feel of the many different people living and working in Toronto.

Little Italy is actually made up of two main groups, Italian and the Portuguese.  There is a great open air market that reflects the diversity that just continues to expand in this small section of the city.  Should you chose to live in this neighborhood you will find many “mom and pop” style restaurants in which to find the best pasta dishes in town.  The Kensington Market sits just between little Italy and Chinatown.

At the Kensington Market you will find everything from vintage clothing to Spanish food stalls.  This is one of the local hotspots.  Finding a place to rent in this area through TransGlobe Property Management will ensure that your life will be filled with the excitement and the energy of the constant activity.  And then to head over to Chinatown, you will think that you have just stepped into the middle of Hong Kong.  There are a plethora of restaurants, from Korean to Vietnamese, and Chinese, and your senses will be awakened by the scents and the flavors.  If fun and great times is what you are looking for in a neighborhood, this is one area of Toronto which will provide just that.

Perth, Australia is a beautiful city that is rich in cultural history as well as the arts. It is the fourth largest city in the country, while it is also the capital and largest city of Western Australia. In addition to a progressive arts scene, beautiful geography and an interesting history, Perth has many cultural landmarks and historic attractions that entice numerous guests who stay in one of the Perth boutique hotels each year. The Round House is one example of a landmark testifying to Perth’s history, while the Art Gallery of Western Australia testifies to its contemporary significance.

The Round House dates to 1830, which is just shy of the establishment of Perth. It is the oldest building in that is still standing in Western Australia. Henry Willey Reveley designed this building that served as the Swan River Colony’s first permanent freestanding building. Its originally intended purpose was to function as a jail and it was designed with a jailor’s residence and eight inmate cells. Each of these opened into a central courtyard. It is now considered to be one of the major historic landmarks of Western Australia and is open to the public seven days a week.

The Art Gallery of Western Australia is located in the Perth Cultural Center and is nestled in among other major arts institutes such as the Western Australian Museum and the State Library of Western Australia. It was established and opened in 1979 and has an annual population of visitors that reaches four hundred thousand. The permanent collection contains over fifteen thousand pieces and includes works from the beginnings of the area’s settlement up through the 1960s. There is also a popular exhibit called Year 12 Perspectives, which is annually based and includes paintings, sculpture, digital art and more representing artists from Western Australia.

A holiday in Goa is the material of dreams.  It is one of the most coveted vacation spots for environmental tourists looking for biodiversity, 24 hour party people looking for great dance music, and anyone who’s ever felt the call of the ocean, looking for the perfect beach.  Goa has all this and much more, with a rich urban life that is always moving and changing, and extraordinary architecture that is a relic of its complicated history.  It’s a splendid place to be, and it also has splendid 5 star hotels.  Goa has it going on, that’s for sure, and our hotels put you right in the center of things.  You’ll be treated to all the superb amenities and fantastic hospitality that only a 5 star hotel can offer, at the highest standards of the industry.

You’ll find yourself having an exquisite rest in our sumptuously decorated rooms, and eating superb meals prepared by world class chefs, who know secrets of international and local cuisines.  There is something in our hotels that will please our guests of all ages, and the same can be said for Goa.  It’s even a good place to take kids, as long as there’s a good supply of sunscreen, and of course, extreme caution around the water.  There are waterfalls where you can feed the monkeys along the way, a spice plantation where you can wash elephants, and animal and nature reserves, not to mention all the great facilities at our hotels, with swimming pools and in-room entertainment.  Good sun sense is really the key here.

But you might also be lucky enough to be in town when there are cultural performances where children are the star attractions, such as Balotsav.  Here, at this lively event put on by the Kala Academy, over 800 schoolchildren perform traditional dances, and show arts and crafts.  It’s a wonderful way to get to know Goa, and introduce your own children to the complicated codes implied in cultural performances.  Children will enjoy watching the intricate displays of movement from other cultures, and it will be interesting to see new faces in the audience.  It’s certainly possible to enjoy all that Goa has to offer, and to share it with your children.

Symbols of Chinese culture, like fried noodle stalls and temples, are found all over Singapore. So, It wasn’t surprising when 70 percent of the population is ethnic Chinese. While it’s odd to then have a specific area called ‘Chinatown’ in Singapore, at the same time, it makes sense that Singapore sees itself as a modern multicultural city informed by Asian values, rather that call is a Chinese city. One can also, all one needs to do is take a car from one of Singapore car rentals and one will note the racial harmony among the Chinese, the Malay and the Indian communities. It’s a government’s fundamental policy. One will also note that Singapore’s Chinese community is distinct from those elsewhere. Chinese have derived much from the Malay and Indian communities, and vice versa.

When driving around, one way to look at Singapore’s Chinatown is as a celebration of the original culture at the root of Singapore. Chinatown has preserved the traditional Chinese culture which is disappearing due to the acts of communism, then followed by rampant consumerism. For example, the tea houses, while American-style cafes expand all across China and into Singapore, Tea Chapter is a institution very devoted to the ancient art of drinking tea, an oasis if you will amongst the machine-brewed corporate coffee. Tea Chapter maintains its traditions by importing all its teas directly from China. They also give calligraphy classes and sell tea and tea pots for home brewing. Musicians are showcased by playing traditional Chinese instruments. Because of the Tea Chapters innovations and traditions, a few more tea houses have sprung up and are beginning to do well also. But, a final word about China town is drinking tea is wonderful, but many people will not give up Chinese food for all the tea in China.

History in NY goes back further than the arrival of the first Europeans, however this history is not well documented or recorded. in 1524 the explorer Giovanna Di Verazzano sailed into New York harbor to be the first European to see the harbor. Today a bridge between New York’s main land and Manhattan island is named after him. Although Henry Hudson exploration of the harbor and the Hudson river are far more well known. Within 20 years Dutch settlements were established on the island. The Dutch continued to arrive in what is now NYC until the later 1600′s. Went he British took over the island and began their control of the region. The Dutch built a wall across the island north of the populated portion to keep the British out, The British attacked from the sea and easily won the island. James, The Duke of York renamed the island to its current name. Due to its location at the mouth of a navigable river and mid location on the east coast of the continent made this a prized location in the new world. By the 1800′s the city was thriving due to its economic power and the state gained its nick name the Empire State. The NY stock exchange and Wall Street were established durning this time. The completion of the Erie canal in 1825 connecting the Atlantic ocean via the Hudson River to the Great Lakes the trading grew larger. This made it possible to ship goods via ship from NYC to Chicago, Detroit and other Great Lake cities as well as the rest of the world on the high seas. This history is accessible to you when you visit NY and stay at one of many best hotels New York City. Tours of the island are available as well as tours around the island by boat and tours to near by islands

The Theatre Royal presented their first show in February of 1837.  This building, a Grade One Listed building remains to this day, one of the most historic of the country of England’s cultural heritage landmarks.  The heart of Grainger Town in Newcastle is dominated by the theatre which is on the top of the list of the most famous and the one that draws the most influential and notable talents in the country.

The theatre is located on Grey Street, in the very artsy district of Newcastle upon Tyne.  It was designed at the time by architects from the district, Benjamin and John Green.  This was part of a grander project for a cultural center of the city of Newcastle, the brainchild of Richard Grainger.  Opening the season, and the history was The Merchant of Venice.

And as tradition will have it the Royal Shakespeare Company performs annually and considers the theater as their home base in Northern England.  Shakespeare has not always been good for the theater, if one tracks theater myth and superstition.  The sections of the theater caught fire in 1899 following a performance of Macbeth.

Anyone involved in theater today is well aware of the fact that you just do not say “Macbeth” while inside, if one does one must turn around three times and perform a few other rituals so as to dispense the curse.   Following the fire the theater was re-designed and stands now as then.  Many Newcastle luxury hotels will suggest to tourists dinner and a show, as there is located within the theater a very fine restaurant.

As well as standard theater, modern and classical, there are a variety of other companies that perform there throughout the year.  This includes many contemporary dance companies, ballet companies, musical shows, and opera.  What ever time one chooses to visit the city of Newcastle, there will be a show up at the Theatre Royal, one that should not be missed.

There is a spectacular three-day camping event called Camp Bestival by the Jurassic seaside in Dorset. Even though I don’t camp there, but instead get a room at a Dorset Hotel, I still manage to enjoy the Bestival. It’s a family event which the legendary Lulworth Castle hosts on one of the most beautiful estates in all of England. They only allow 10,000 tickets to be sold, making the Bestival an intimate affair.

Camp Bestival was inspired by the 50′s British Holiday Camp. That inspiration now allows festival goers to bask in nostalgia, back when life seems uncomplicated and easy going. The program includes a line-up of excellent artists which will entertain you at the biggest campsite ever and has excellent facilities for the outdoor life. Plus, the give you a generous sprinkle of Bestival magic. Combining top notch music with excellent onsite camping, tents, tepees, yurts, bivouacs, airstreams and gypsy caravans, Camp Bestival let you enjoy your stay. But, if you enjoy luxurious accommodations rather than affordable tents, then do what I do, book a room. It’s okay, no one minds. They don’t even notice.

The Bestival prides itself in providing fun for all the families with a super Kids Area, a Story Telling around a roaring campfire, Sports Day, Dancing, and they even have a real life Insect Circus along with an All Singing Kids Summer Party. It will be packed high with kids an their parents. Lulworth Castle even has it’s own Animal Farm. All of us are extremely proud when Camp Bestival won the Best New Festival at the 2008 Festival Awards. It really deserves it too. Even though, I don’t like to camp, I do like to ‘festival’ with the best, and it really is the best. The Facilities are top notch with parking right next to the campsites, roomy areas for chilling out and playing.  Relatively flat landscape. Hot showers that serves tea and toast while you wait! Giant BBQ pits, they even have a farmers market so you can get the freshest fruits and vegetables to cook with at you campsite. What more could a person ask for, if they weren’t me?

I found the Chelsea Physic Garden to be a wonderful place while I was staying in London. The Park was quiet and restful; located alongside the edge of Thames River in beautiful Chelsea. It was only a block away from one of the Chelsea Hotels, which I and my mother were staying. My mother wanted to never leave the Garden, I don’t blame her, it’s absolutely breath taking.

The Chelsea Physic Garden is walled, which is why it’s peaceful, private and small, intimate. I got a glimpse at some medicinal plants, which I’m familiar with since I’ve taking some medicinal herbal classes. I wanted to pick some leaves, but I dare not. Not without permission anyways. My mother cracked me up when she told me to go ahead and pick some leaves, she’ll be the look out and warn me if anyone comes by. I told her that’s okay, I have plenty of herbs at home. She looked disappointed in me. But, I did take note so I could correspond to the Apothecaries Society which takes care of the natural medicine garden. I told my mother, that I’ll ask them to mail me clippings.

We found the Gardens cafe’, the Tangerine Dream. All the food had a homemade quality about it, especially the orange juice which was actually hand squeezed! We noticed that the Garden offers guided tours, but I had enough knowledge of Botany to take my mother on her own private tour. The only thing I didn’t know, which she had to ask one of the wonderful garden staff is how old the Garden is. It’s over 300 years old! The same staff member also filled us in on how some of the plants were gathered on voyages with Captain Cook. We thanked the staff member and went on our way. My mother nudge me, saying see, you don’t know everything. I looked down on her and nudged her back.

The coast of Yorkshire is one of the most popular destinations in the United Kingdom.  Surrounding the coast of Flamborough Head there are many choices of some of the best of Great Britain’s seaside hotels, holiday cottages and resorts.  This is mixed in with the rich heritage that exists in this region of the country.  The oldest resort in the country is located in Scarborough, which became in 1735 became the location for the first bath tubs in the country.  Following the discovery of hot mineral springs in South Bay, this became a famous location for spa vacations.  In current times, Scarborough has become a city with diverse architecture, from the Victorian age through to the modern designs of contemporary architects.

There is a wide variety of activities from the clubs, restaurants and bars, to film cinemas and live theater.  The Cook Memorial Museum celebrates the life and adventures of Captain James Cook, which is located nearby in Whityby.  This is a village that is also a great place to find treasures in the world of arts and crafts, as well as finely crafted jewelery.  The ruins of the Whitby Abbey draw many visitors each year, wanting to witness the Gothic structure on the cliff that remains relatively complete and intact in comparison to other ruins in the United Kingdom.

There are many beaches on the coast of Yorkshire, including Hornsea Beach, Scarborough North Bay and Filey Beach.  Filey is a peaceful beach-side town filled with amenities such as amusement parks along the beach, restaurants, pubs, and a variety of Filey hotels from which to choose.  The village has strong ties with the seaman John Paul Jones, and is noted for the history of fishing and other maritime activities.  One may find the Filey Museum interesting, which recounts this history as well as the over all history of the village.  There are five beautiful miles of beach along Filey, where many come for vacations that include diving, swimming, surfing and sailing.  All the beaches along the Yorkshire coast are just beautiful.  Perfect places for peaceful holidays in the sun.

You hear your favorite entertainer is coming to your town; they will be performing in concert. You have to get tickets. What a rush that is to be part of that whole scenario. Whether you go online for your ticket or you go down and wait in line for hours to get that ticket or you’re lucky enough to have someone just give you that ticket or you win it from a local radio station. You might be going alone or with a special friend. It really doesn’t matter. You have that ticket and you are going to that concert. And of course you tell all your friends and you talk about it for weeks in advance. The anticipation and excitement mounts as the day draws closer and closer.

Whether you are in Tennessee to see Charlie Daniels or New York to see Barbra Streisand, whether you are male or female, young or just young at heart, the excitement and the process is basically the same. Finally the big day/night is here and you head out to join all the others holding their treasured tickets. Electricity fills the air, cars and pedestrians are everywhere, parking places are at a premium and the walk can be long. For some it can be frustrating but for most it is just one more facet of what makes up the whole of this exhilarating experience.

Again, you stand in line to present your concert tickets and be given directions to your seat. Once through the gate, there are numerous tables set up displaying all the memorabilia for sale to tangibly cement the memories of this concert. You wind your way through all the other excited people, find your seat and settle in, surrounded by thousands of others sharing these very same feelings; some more demonstrative than others of course; but feelings all the same. Suddenly the crowd falls quiet, the moment has arrived, the curtain goes up and there is your idol…the crowd is on its feet, earsplitting cheers, whistles and applause erupt throughout the venue! The show begins and the thrill and appreciation never subsides. This is what you have been waiting for, you are not disappointed and you will do it again.

The five-star hotels in Delhi really are spectacular, and mix a heady combination of elements in one of the headiest mixtures of humanity on the planet. There is exquisite food, design that is world-class and extremely refined, and modern amenities to keep the traveler in touch with the rest of the world. Although for many travelers, the experience of being here is that this is the rest of the world, and staying here is like being connected to the heartbeat that drive human activity on the planet.

There are scores and scores of famous people inhabiting the city, and this has always been the case. Contemporary India is as fascinating as its complex past, and there are interesting changes that are reflected in the art from here. Nandita Das is a local celebrity who is making amazing strides toward work that has a profound global effect. She began with a background in social work, earning her master’s, before turning her career toward acting. As an actress, she is very successful, having worked with Deepa Mehta in “Fire” and “Earth,” and scores of other films, in Urdu, Hindi, and English. She also has an extensive theatre background, and knows the theories of Brecht well enough to quote them in her work.

Lately her attention has been toward directing, a contradiction as seen from an amusing interview from 2000, where Nandita Das passionately insists she is not about to direct any films, despite the rumors. She could not see the future, apparently, and her recent film “Firaaq,” has earned her very high marks from the global film culture. The film is a fictionalized account of the effects of sectarian violence, and its vision is deeply humane and compassionate. She is also very active in local issues, such as violence against women, human rights abuses, and HIV patients’ rights. This agenda, steeped in the here and now of a complex world, speaks to the possibility of real social change through art and action.

God of Carnage is a play written by Yasmina Reza and just recently won the award for Best Play at the 2009 Tony Award celebration at Radio City Music Hall in New York. Tourists who are staying in a best Manhattan hotel will be pleased to know that it is still running on Broadway at the Barnard Jacobs Theatre, and though most performances will be sold out, they still have a chance at getting tickets. Theatre is one of the main reasons tourists are attracted to New York, and tickets generally sell out fast. To testify to the prominence and popularity of the New York theatre scene, Broadway has experienced one of its biggest revenue seasons in years.

The current production of God of Carnage has an all-star cast including Jeff Daniels, Hope Davis, James Gandolfini , and Marcia Gay Harden. Marcia Gay Harden won the Tony award for Best Lead Actress in a Play. The play’s plot revolves around two sets of parents, one of whose child hurt the other one while playing in a public park. The four adults meet with each other to discuss and resolve the situation. However, the evening does not go smoothly and as it progresses the parents become more childlike and irresponsible as the conversation quickly dissolves into chaos.

Reza is a French playwright, actress, screenwriter and novelist. God of Carnage, Le Dieu du Carnage, was originally produced in Zurich where it received the Viennese Nestroy-Theatreprize for the best German language production of the season. It was translated into English by Christopher Hampton for its premier in London’s West End. An interesting circumstance that occurred during the London opening night performance is that the lights went out due to a power failure. The play went on and was performed in emergency lighting. Another and more prestigious aspect of the London production is that it won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Comedy. Ralph Fiennes was in the London production. In addition to plays, Reza has written 6 novels and 2 screenplays.

My Culture doesn’t deal with death too well. But, after I attended the Memorial near Central Park of one of my closest friend and was back at my hotel central park in the distance, I wondered why this countries the burial rituals, the beauty and personal touch was missing. My friends Memorial was so predictable and calculating. I also couldn’t help pondering how Westerners have been conditioned to accept basically only two choices with how to attend to a dead body. Either we cremate or we bury the dead. By law those are our only choices.

We fail, as a culture, to discuss death and dying.  Death gives life its meaning; an obvious statement affecting an appearance to be trite, but there is nothing trite about death. It is the most profound realities of our human condition. Death has been alternately trivialized and denied mostly among the Western American culture. This attitude is often assigned to the funeral industry. An industry that grew out of the peculiar needs of the Civil War to embalm bodies being shipped home from the battlefield. In the mid-twentieth century, the funeral home industry not only had virtually appropriated our death rituals, but they grew obscenely rich by convincing the grieving that it’s wrong somehow to just bury their loved ones without a casket. Other factors played in the commercialization of death, including but not limiting to the influences of urbanization. This helped fragment the community and scatter families and the advancements of health care, the increasing life spans and the expansion of hospitals also were major factor to the growth of funeral homes hold on our Phyche, our instintic to respect death as a natural cause of life. Funerals lack ritual, lack connection and convinced us to fear death because of the very nature of a funeral; they lack substance and form. They create rhetoric over meaning. Dogma over reality. It’s time to review our laws regulating the handling of our loved ones lifeless body and reclaim the lost beauty of ritual and rites. Respecting the dead anyway we chose should be the law and natural law.

World travelers will remember important sites, lovely people, and scrumptious meals, for the entire lives, but the memory held at your favorite Malaysian hotel will hold secrets that none of the other places can offer. The amazing country is astounding in its exotic charm and rich, multi-cultural fabric, and the hotel will be a place of respite to rejuvenate for the next local adventure. The country offers many unique and unusual treats for the senses, but one of the more challenging treasures of the place is cultural transition.


Kuala Lumpur’s Instant Cafe Theatre, under the direction of Jo Kukathas, has consistently offered Malaysians a taste of sophisticated and extremely rich theatrical works, which serve as watermarks for the culture at large. Jo Kukathas’ work with the company has been as actor, director, and writer, and there is no evidence to suggest that she is not slowing down in just getting started. With recent productions, such as “Pulau Antara,” and “Break Ing Ji Poh Ka Si Pe Cah,” there seems to be a tendency to embrace works which are challenging, multi-layered in terms of language and theme, and also investigate the nature of contemporary Malaysian society. Unafraid to ask deeply political and sociological questions, the work of the Instant Cafe Theatre is really at the cutting edge of global theatrical traditions.

The company is also quite popular among non-locals, and it has toured to other places with very positive receptions. One possible reason for this is their emphasis on humor. Their works are characterized by a very strong and wickedly funny tendency toward the humorous. Even in the face of tragedy, or perhaps because of the sense of tragedy, laughter is a bridge, a bridge toward global understanding, and also a bridge to collective grieving.

Tellingly and touchingly, her wish for Malaysians is that: “That we can be more like our food. Rich, complex, subtle, ever evolving, varied: aware of our history, aware of our past, aware that our most local ingredients are immigrant.”

There are many traditional performance elements in South African culture. Music plays an essential role in the daily lives of its citizens and in most artistic expressions. South Africa is an extremely diverse country, with influences of many other nations found in it. The music scene is reflective of this and embraces social and political themes and progress. The Mbaqanga is a style of music that originated in the early 1960s. It has strong roots in the Zulu tradition and continues to influence local music today, and also around the world. Tourists staying in the best Cape Town hotels will most likely hear this music while having lunch in a local café.

It developed in the South African shebeens in the early 1960s. In Zulu, the term Mbaqanga refers to a common cornmeal porridge. Because most of the musicians were unable to establish themselves in the city, and it was difficult to sustain oneself in the rural communities, the Mbaqanga became the musical staple food. These early musicians had a difficult time in all areas. They had a struggle trying to get music played on the radio and would often set up and perform on the streets outside the record stores. This was an effective grassroots way of establishing a fledgling audience base. Because Western instruments were often used in the Mbaqanga, it developed into a type of South African jazz.

The style gained instant popularity once the South African Broadcasting Corporation gave it its initial airtime. Some of the early Mbaqanga artists include Miriam Makeba, Letta Mbulu, Dolly Rathebe. It’s popularity was strong for many years before it began to be replaced by the sounds of Bubblegum. While Bubblegum music was highly influenced by the Mbaqanga, it took on its own style and became greatly popular. Western pop influences during the 70s also contributed to the decline of Mbaqanga. It saw a brief revival in the early 1980s when Paul Simon included South African music in his album Graceland.

Philipp Maier is more than the United Arab Emirates Philharmonic Orchestra’s (UAEPO) Conductor and Artistic Director. He was the founder of the company and continues to serve as its driving force. He established the orchestra after his move to Dubai in 2005 and has been changing the face of UAE culture and its music scene every since. Tourists to the city who are staying in five star hotel Dubai may remember the original name of the orchestra, which was simply called Dubai Philharmonic Orchestra.

Maire is not a native to Dubai or the UAE, he was born in Augsburg, Germany in 1962. He recognized his love for music and developed his skills as a pianist early in life, beginning regular concert performances at the age of 14. In 1984 he graduated from the Leopold-Mozart Music High School & Conservatory. He won many awards and received numerous prizes while attending the school in Augsburg. During that time he was also appointed to the position of assistant choir director for the Augsburg Opera House. Since officially beginning his professional career he has performed throughout the world and has gained international acclaim.

In addition to serving as the orchestra’s Conductor and Artistic Director, Maier continues to perform concerts in solo piano and chamber music work. Many of these performances include collaborations with singers and musicians from around the world. He has worked with performers from Germany, England, America and South Africa. This helps expand the orchestra’s reputation and status as an internationally recognized company. In 2003 he was featured as a Man of Honor in Oprah Winfrey’s magazine. Also in 2003 he composed the music for the opening ceremony for the ICC Cricket World Cup. In 2000 he was appointed Artistic Director and resident Conductor for the oldest orchestra in South Africa, the Durban City Orchestra.

Gallery 76 has a strong focus on promoting contemporary art. It is located in the Dubai International Art Centre and features the work of national as well as international artists. Their mission is to present works in various mediums from established and up-and-coming artists in mixed media, installations, sculpture, photography and painting. Dubai has grown in international interest in recent years and various cultural festivals and events have gained recognition and interest from around the world. Tourists are attracted to its unique offerings and book reservations in advance at a Dubai beach resort.

The Dubai International Art Centre is a diverse and multi-functioning establishment. It was founded in 1976 and has been nurturing the development of new artists since then. It began as a grass roots non-profit start up when a small group of artists including Mary Jose and Caroline Jackson began meeting in a garage to discuss their art and passions. They decided to form an agency and drafted a constitution. The name for the original organization was the Art Society of Dubai. Since then they have grown and re-manifested to become the respected Centre it is today. The Centre has become a major local institution and has a strong attraction for visitors. It is one of the more popular sites to visit for tourists.

Gallery 76 in the Centre first opened its doors in 2005. One of the specific goals of this gallery is to foster the development of Dubai artists, though they also host works from established and internationally known professionals. They have premiered works from artists such as Omayma Soubra, Corbett Miteff, Jan Edwards and Amira Hanna. They have new exhibits each month. Part of their mission is reach broad audiences drawing awareness of the Dubai art scene to an international arena. They are greatly interested in the cultural growth of Dubai and its expression through art.

Rajan Krishnan is an Indian artist born in Kerala, a state in Southwestern India, in 1967. He received his BFA in painting after attaining a BA in economics. He then went on to complete an MFA in painting from Faculty of Fine Arts, M. S. University, Baroda. He now lives and works in Kochi, Kerala and is currently being represented by the Bombay Art Gallery.

His current exhibit at the Bombay Art Gallery is titled simply “Four Paintings.” His intention with the work was to focus on the triumph of memory over oblivion, which is incorporated into the language of each painting. This new collection is a dramatic shift in the direction his painting and artist career. However, he uses the past to explore the present as each painting reflects back on a previous work. His most recent exhibit was “Ore/Substances of Earth” displayed at the Bodhi Space in Mumbai in 2008. This was a substantial multi-media work and consisted of a large terracotta instillation, video and paintings. The new work is more simple and reflects a quiet, contemplative state. Krishnan has been recognized internationally and has also shown in Singapore, New York, and Hong Kong, among many others.

The Bombay Art Gallery was established in 2003. It was conceived with the intention of promoting unique young artists as well as the classical-contemporary blend present in much of India’s art. It has displayed the work of emerging as well as established artists with a focus on approaching a contemporary vision with classically inspired techniques and themes. The primary mediums curated by the gallery are works in painting, sculpture, photography, installation, and drawing. Their mission is to take contemporary Indian art into the International level. They have gained a great deal of respect and recognition locally, and have become a major attraction for visiting tourists. Guests often find information from the concierge of their hospitable Bombay hotel.

Salvador Dali was born in Spain, the northern village called Figueras. Many years before he would reach the fame and the popularity that now has his paintings hanging in museums and five star Hotels, Spain and his instructors knew that he was destined to it. He started drawing at the age of ten, and it became evident after his first lesson, that he was born with a special gift. Many of his first art teachers were extremely well known artists, one particularly influential was Ramon Pichot. When Dali was 19 years old his father bought him a print machine. Soon afterward Dali entered Madrid’s Royal Academy of Art. He never finished his studies at the academy however. After getting expelled two times, he left without taking the final exams. He stated that those giving the exams were not as qualified as he was, so he quit.

He soon left for Paris, and in 1928 he became friends with fellow painters from Spain, Joan Miro and Pablo Picasso. The collection of these surrealist painters studied and painted along side Andre Breton, a well known figure in the school of Surrealism. Although Dali and Breton spent many months painting together, Breton eventually ended their friendship his reasons being that Dali had become greedy financially, was extremely egotistical, and had fascist political views.

Dali had been studying the works of the old masters for years, particularly fond of the paintings of Rapheal, a Renaissance painter from Italy. He is known for his painterly craftsmanship, even though his subject matter and style is so different, much in the way he lays the paint down on the canvas is due to this study and admiration of the old masters. He soon developed his style that would eventually make him world famous. He based his paintings on the scenes from his dreams, and some of the images are a direct reflection of Sigmund Freud’s psychological theories.

Dali eventually left Europe in order to escape WWII and became a permanent citizen of the United States in 1940. He was well received by the city of Manhattan and the celebrities and the rich and famous of that city. His work continues to be collected and reproduced today, and is just as popular now as it was then.

Elections in various countries have gained much press in the last few years. Here and now, perhaps come and gone depending on the time differences, people around the world are voting tonight for a common idea and purpose, the global election, to save the planet. The acknowledgment that no matter cultural and societal differences, the earth needs our help. In much the same way as the last presidential election was covered by the press, this has gained momentum from the time the idea was conceived by the World Wildlife Foundation, in Sydney, Australia in 2007. The symbolic act of simply switching off the lights for one hour, just sitting and looking at the sky…well, coming from America, that idea is so foreign, and so necessary on a multitude of levels. In the luxury hotels of Singapore, lights will go dark, and what is offered only serves to re-enforce. To re-enforce that there is much more to do than sit around a hotel room watching American Idol. Music concerts are planned for tonight, the Esplanade is having a party, people will experience a bit of what life was like before technology took over simple human contact.

This is the first time in history, that all the people of the world will vote in one election. All nationalities, all races must agree, regardless of spiritual or religious beliefs, regardless of ideas of wars on terror and wars based on cultural differences, this is one challenge that affects all people equally, the war against global warming. A topic raised that the conference on Global Climate Change in Copenhagen earlier this year. People of this world can and must make their voices heard…and perhaps the best way to be heard is to just be quiet. Just turn out the light. For one hour. In Sydney 2 years ago, businesses and residential homes, did just that. Turned out the lights for one hour. It went from there with the Opera House, the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, and the Times Square infamous Coca Cola sign, all going dark. Fifty million people took part that year. Today, March 28th, 2009 that goal is one billion. This does not matter where you are from, what your social or economic status is or who you hold to be God…it’s is just simply a vote to cast to say “I care”. I care about my life and those I love, the plants, the oceans, the hillsides, and the small man farming in some faraway location. One hour, for one day…cast your vote. Just simply switch that light. Off.

In light of the current global economy, many anticipated that this year’s Art Dubai would struggle to make a splash. While sales on big ticket pieces were down from the previous year, overall, participants and organizers were optimistic about the event’s success.

One of the surprises of the event was the success of European and American artists at this year’s show. The culture clash between Middle Eastern sensabilities and Western subjects caused a few problems at the event. Works with overt sensuality or displaying images considered inappropriate to Muslim traditions were carefully screened ahead of time. However, some confusion over the standards meant that a few galleries had to cover, hide, or remove some pieces during the event.

New York gallery Goff + Rosenthal sold out their exhibition inventory while Galerie Michael Schultz (Berlin) registered two of the event’s highest sales: a piece by SEO (Korea) for $95,000 and one by Huang Min (China) for $63,000.

The four-day event attracted art buyers from across the Emirates and the rest of the Middle East as well as serious collectors from around the world. The event provided a bit of a bump for Dubai. No doubt the luxury hotels Dubai UAE saw an increase in business as did high end restaurants and retail locations.

While overall sales may have been down, organizers are optimistic that 2009 is still a building year for Dubai‘s premiere art event. They were pleased to see many new faces, both in exhibitors and buyers and feel that this year’s buzz will continue to build the reputation of the event in the contemporary art world.

The event, which began in 2007, featured over sixty international galleries and showcased contemporary art. Art Dubai includes workshops and artist projects as well as a separate program for children, called START. 2009 marked the debut of the Abraaj Capital Art Prize.

For many summer travelers, Majorca is the prime destination spot. Many relaxing beaches, or many night time spots create an atmosphere that is quite like no other. Tourism has brought the rest of the world to the Balearic Islands, wherein it was a location known about and traveled to for Europeans for years. The shopping centers, the restaurants, the best hotels Majorca has it all to make a vacation memorable. There are many watersports for adults as well as children, there are music festivals and dance festivals. And when considering summer school study programs, what better place to take care of business. And if one need attend school in the summer when the rest of the world is on vacation, one would do well to study on an island known for summer time fun.

Classes take place at the University de les Illes Balears. The school began in 1978 and has over 14,000 students enrolled for their summer programs. The philosophy of the university dates back to the philosophy of the early 15th century, remaining devoted to the culture of the islands and the protection of the environment. And while the ideology is old school, the campus is most certainly not, boasting state of the art equipment and laboratories. While the campus sits at the base of the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range it is just a quick 15 minutes to the center of town. And while the program offers a variety of classes in business, marketing and tourism studies, the language program is one of the most popular. Students from other countries wanting to learn Spanish come to the island for total immersion, in the language and in the culture. Often times they stay all summer with a host family. Living and breathing and speaking and eating the culture. Programs such as this have been proven to create lasting impressions for one thing and for another, the learning of the language is a more comprehensive endeavor. As the study doesn’t end for the day once the class time is over. It is carried out on the street and into the restaurants andhome-life and friendships.

The ‘invasion’ of music occurred more than forty years ago. Not a lot of time in the history of the world, but creating history non the less. And so much so in such a short amount of time. The Beatles walked off their plane in Manhattan’s Kennedy airport, and they took not only New York and the United States by storm, but the rest of the world as well. Looking back it seems that music was kept secret and with British Invasion that secret was shouted from high atop those buildings in NY and from and to the hearts of everyone. None of this was lost on the tiny island of Singapore, a country crying out to this day for a voice that ends oppression. The voice of creativity. And while it is ironically funny that the first things to go in public programs, schools and the society programs in general, are the arts…it’s fitting. As what is worth more to fight for than the voice of the human heart? So bring it on governments of the world, give the artists fodder for inspiration, as nothing has stopped you in the past and nothing will stop the future the artists will create.

Using a cliche, the country of Singapore, a very oppressed culture, has ‘stepped up to the plate”. Singapore, or the residents concerned with this type of conundrum, built the Esplanade and continue to inspire and encourage and expose society to the value and the power of music. Ten years ago the Mosaic Music Festival, set amongst the downtown area and close to many options for stay at the best Singapore hotels, began and has since become one of the most attended and respected festivals in the world. For the members of the audience and for those on stage. Steeped in jazz, the festival offers up to the public the opportunity to witness and experience some performances by truly legendary masters of the craft…on stage by the way, with ‘up-starts’, those wanting and needing to carry on the work and to offer up their own interpretation. For who can sit and listen to Gil Evans or to Miles Davis or Jimmy Peggie or Nina Simone and not be moved. Music has traditionally been known to create harmony and to relieve the pain of life in societies for all of history. TheMosaic Festival runs every year for ten days, beginning March 11 th and offers up a variety of stages and international artists and music. This is an event that should not be missed should one happen to be in the neighborhood.

In traveling to Singapore one may notice the luxury, the beauty, the joy. One of the many ways to express and to move and to experience life is through the world of dance. Be it traditional ballet, or more contemporary forms, Singapore has it all. And whether one has money to spend or not, travelers world wide are aware that Singapore has something to offer everyone, from the people in fine dining restaurants, to those in cafes or those visiting the food hawker’s stands in the town squares. To those spending their nights in hostels to those sleeping in luxury Singapore hotels.

Edgy performances by The Arts Company or EcNad or the company, Odyssey Dance Theater have thrilled audiences with their high energy, creative choreography and interesting musical collaborations. And these shows enhance and illustrate the beauty and tradition of the island. Traditional dance companies, such as Sri Warisan out of Singapore is a leader in the traditional dance of the Malasian culture. Created in 1997, this company combines the traditional and the modern, in thought, choreography, music and ideas. This company takes advantage of all that technology has to offer, often combining filmed or recorded images in sound or on film to enhance the live performance. There are approximately 30 full time performers cross-trained in theater, dance and the multi-media disciplines. Over time the company has grown to include not only the dancers, but office workers and full time students. In all, there are close to 100 people involved in any given performance. The company is intent on opening up the opportunity for involvement in the world of dance and the understanding of the art form, to those either un-aware or un-exposed to the value and importance of live performance art and how it affects those who choose this way of life and those who are affected by those who do. Out reach programs provide this exposure to the general public and through festivals and performances occurring year round, opportunities for social change, international and local, are ideas that become realities.

Ballet Under the Stars has become an annual event wherein this all becomes possible. Audience members bring picnics to the park and it is fast becoming known as the night for ballet under the stars. The company, Singapore Dance Theater was founded in 1988, and performs traditional ballets by George Balanchine, as well as contemporary work by cutting edge choreographers. There is a strong alliance between SDT and the Australian Ballet. Along with most other companies of the times, these two incorporate technological surprises and festivals involving these two companies are drawing record crowds.