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The Día de los Muertos festival will be celebrated throughout the city of Phoenix, beginning on October 31 and ending on November 1.  This is a traditional Mexican festival that celebrates and gives honor to family and loved ones who have passed away.  This is a colorful and celebratory event and the Phoenix Botanical Garden is taking part in the celebrations.  All of the events at the festival are covered in the price of admission and many of the best Phoenix hotels can provide transportation to the garden.

These events will include story telling, music and song, art, and dance performances by some of the most well known Arizona artists and performers.  In the Mercado, the cafe on the grounds of the garden, traditional Mexican food will be served all day.  While death is the theme of the performances, they are also filled with social and political commentary, humor, sarcasm and life.  One group performing from 7 to 9 pm is the well known collection of artists that make up La Calaca Caberat.

This is a combination of theatre, dance, music and story-telling, educational as well as entertaining and is appropriate for the entire family.  The “calaca” is the image often depicted in Mexican art as the smiling, black and white faced skull.  The image is intended to allow people to accept death, and acknowledge rebirth and regeneration.  There is a richness to the culture and to the art of the traditions of the Mexican and Chicano artists and this is illustrated wonderfully in the skill and craftsmanship of  Zarco Guerrero and the choreography of Michelle Ceballos.

The traditional interpretations are set against the urban background of today.  Dancing Earth dance company will also be performing on the previous Friday, and the procession which signifies the end of the three day festival will happen on the 1st of November at 4:30 in the afternoon.  This promises to be a fun couple of days for all who attend, filled with food, fun, dance, music, and a few scary faces here and there.

We have a splendid selection of five-star Hong Kong hotels to make your stay here even more spectacular.  Our hotels are carefully chosen for their excellence in design, service, and their own unique offerings.  There is a uniformly superb level of quality that they all share, meeting or exceeding the highest standards in the industry.  We offer a heady blend of innovation and tradition.  Our hotels feature the newest technologies, so that your connectivity to the world at large has never been faster, and so that all members of the family can enjoy the latest in in-room entertainment.  We also specialize in the old-world standards of hospitality and graciousness, so that you will enjoy a standard of relaxation that is perhaps unequaled anywhere.
A splendid gourmet meal, a beautiful night’s sleep, and a refreshing workout, and you’re ready to see all that Hong Kong has to offer.  It is one of the world’s great cosmopolitan centers, leading the world in economic and cultural advances.  Hong Kong is at the forefront of technology and design, and it attracts some of the world’s best minds.  There is a very sophisticated sense of style here, and it almost requires spending at least some time shopping for the latest fashions.  There are also fantastic clubs to enjoy a fine evening, and hear some of the hottest beats on earth.  For all of these adventures, people watching is always an excellent activity, and observing humanity’s buzz in one of the most bustling places is entertaining and fun.  You may catch a glimpse of a famous movie star, or a pop star, or someone who happens to be both, like Prudence Liew.
Born in 1964, the year of the Dragon, Prudence Liew has had a remarkable life.  As a child, she was already used to the spotlight, appearing in many commercials.  She went into film production, but was soon tapped for her gorgeous voice and tough sensibility, and became one of Hong Kong’s first generation hiphop stars.  She went from there into pure pop, and it is here that she has received some of her best notices.  She achieved a modest degree of success with Love Yourself, in 2000, and made a recent resurgence in the world music market with her compilation album and concert, Opening the Sex Boundaries.  She continued to appear in films and on television, lest her hardcore fans forget that she is a woman of multiple talents.  In 2008, to prove to the world that her career was stronger than ever, she won the Best Leading Actress Award for her work in Hong Kong blockbuster True Women for Sale.  Her life is an inspiration to young people looking for role models that teach about the values of persistence and a positive outlook!

A fantastic place for a gorgeous luxury hotel, Chennai, India is a splendid blend of landscapes and worlds.  Old world qualities like hospitality and graciousness are plentiful here, as are new world technologies and conveniences.  Guests at our hotels will miss nothing of the connectivity they have at home, but they will be treated to a luxury that will facilitate a voluntary retreat from the usual concerns.  There is also a vibrant metropolis here, with a fantastic art scene, and it is also close to the ocean, so that many varieties of scenery can be seen in a very short amount of time.  Chennai has sophistication and mystery, and our hotels will help to refresh and rejuvenate the mind and spirit, so that its charms can be experienced with fresh eyes.

There are a number of exciting distractions and attractions in Chennai, and something to appeal to all members of the family of all ages.  Chennai has sight-seeing and tours, with ancient temples and contemporary architectural wonders, and it also has its share of famous people.  Home to Kollywood, the heart of the booming Tamil film industry, there are excellent opportunities for star-gazing.  And for culture of a more complex variety, lucky travelers might catch sight of the outspoken genius of Chennai theatre, Gnani Sankaran.  He is perhaps more known for his opinion pieces, his writings on politics and culture which are provocative, erudite, and often extremely on-target, and his reputation is solid in the contemporary imagination.

His work in the field of theatre is likewise remarkable, and his reputation is excellent in world theatre.  He founded a theatre group, Pareeksha, over thirty years ago, and it still draws a very significant share of the Tamil-speaking audience.  His work here is distinctively in the alternative theatre school, drawing on the roots of local theatre and integrating Brechtian techniques to make live performances that are extremely relevant and highly entertaining.  Global theatre afficionados are encouraged to see the latest offerings here, and become part of the audience of a vital art form at a vital time.

When it comes to four-star hotels, Goa offers splendid accommodations that will rejuvenate and replenish guests from all walks of life.  There is sumptuous combination of innovation and tradition, featuring all the latest technologies to keep you connected to the world at large, and old-world values of hospitality and courtesy to keep you connected to a spirit of relaxation.   Goa is one of India’s most luxurious jewels, nestled on the west coast with coastlines and spectacular inland views, marking it as one of the region’s hotspots for biodiversity.  Our hotels, then, offer a splendid central point from which to base your stay in this enchanted place.  Our restaurants offer exquisite food served by world-class chefs trained in all the latest culinary techniques.

If urban adventure is on your agenda, there is a lot to see in the city.  One does not have to move very far before coming across the immense creativity that lies here.  Goa has given birth to some of the most interesting forms of music, both in antiquity and in modern times.  It is also the birthplace of one of India’s great political cartoonists, Mario Miranda.  In 2008, Goa saw the release of a major collection of his life’s work, another feather in a cap stock full of feathers.

Mario Miranda already in his 80s, is remarkable for his great reputation, international fame, and humble character.  His childhood in Goa was marked by a constant tendency to draw, and the story goes that his mother noticed his early talent beginning when he would draw on the walls of her house.  She bought him a notebook, and the rest, they say, is cartoon history.  He went to art school in Portugal, lived for a few years in England, and spent a good part of his life in Mumbai.  A trip to the United States in 1974 introduced him to Charles Schulz, the creator of Peanuts, and the two recognized a shared tendency to find the bright side of life through humor.  It certainly kept him working all these years, and his sense of humor has made him a household name all over the country.  He has returned to Goa, where he presently lives with his wife and family.

When planning a visit to Canberra, Australia, hotels are an essential consideration. In this, the largest inland city in Australia, accommodation choices are many, and discerning travelers will certainly want what we have to offer. Guests at our hotels will find themselves enjoying a refreshing stay with state of the art amenities. Fine dining, exercise facilities, and a well-informed staff are just the beginning. Hospitality and convenience are at a premium here, in order to insure that you enjoy your free time, rejuvenating your mind and body before venturing into the fascinating city. These are very distinctive hotels, with individual touches that will impress in their ambience and great attention to detail. Your vacation should be about you, and helping you unwind is our mission.

Canberra is unique in many ways, not the least of which is its status as a planned city. There is a fondness here for innovation, with a constant reinvention of culture and entertainment. One of the most exciting institutions, if it can be called that, is Canberra’s The Street Theatre. It opened its doors in 1994, and has quickly established itself as a premiere venue for the arts, featuring live performances of alternative theatre, music, and even comedy. One of the latest shows is a performance by Rod Quantock, who talks about the contemporary state of environmental emergency, an odd subject for an evening of comedy, but well worth the time.

The Street Theatre is not simply a venue for local and traveling acts to showcase for the Canberra audience, though it certainly is that. It considers itself an ideas house, a place where artists and intellectuals can enjoy and present new work that is challenging and innovative, raising the bar for performance in Australia and the world at large. One of their main focuses is on presenting trans-disciplinary work, emphasizing a multiplicity in vision and sensibility. New media works are also highly encouraged here, and audiences will find themselves treated to heady and provocative works of extremely intriguing entertainment.

The Company Gardens of South Africa is located in the heart of the town, by any one of the incredible restaurants or boutique hotel. Capetown is home to the Company Garden, the largest park open to the public in the entire country. Located within the Garden are varieties of plant life, separated into their own sections, the Japanese garden and the garden of roses are two such examples. There is also an aviary which houses the beautiful birds indigenous to the region as well as fish ponds located throughout. This is one of the attractions of the city that should be on the schedule of every tourist and out of town visitor. The Garden is set between the House of Parliament and the residence of the President, the Tuynhuys, two buildings that are also worth looking through as the history of politics of South Africa are contained within these walls.

Strolling through the Gardens at mid-day, will bring one into contact with the many locals that take their lunches in the park. This is the perfect spot to relax during a busy day, as the air is fresh and the views of the Table Mountains are beautiful. There are avenues lined with trees, and many benches for those wanting to rest a bit and feed the squirrels that have taken up residence in the park. Many other interesting buildings are located in this area as well, among them are the Art Gallery of South Africa, the Museum of South Africa as well as the only Planetarium located in the city. This is the country’s oldest park and is connected in every way to the art and the culture of the people. There are a number of artists festivals that take place here each year, as well as the annual benefit concert for Human Rights. This park offers up many options that are located close to each other, and provide visitors with a comprehensive look at the people and the country of South Africa.

The South African Museum is one of the most visited attractions in Cape Town. Set amongst the boutiques and wine shops and the best Cape Town restaurants, the museum offers up more than entertainment. The history of the natural and cultural world of this country is exhibited and celebrated. Founded in 1925 by Lord Charles Somerset, this is one of the oldest and most conclusive scientific institutions in Africa. It is second only to the Royal Observatory which was founded five years previous. There are educational and research facilities located on the grounds, which offer tours and seminars to those interested. The entrance for the museum is located just off of Queen Victoria Street, conveniently situated between the House of Parliament and the Company Gardens. Both of which are equally interesting to those touring the region. All of these sites offer a look into, not only the material evidence of the culture, but into the earliest of human origins, the beginning of a culture and a nation.

Lord Somerset was a governor of South Africa, of English decent, and he was interested and devoted to the recording of the history of the country. What is catalogued and exhibited in this museum is the diversity of a nation. The collection of the museum is diverse as well, from one hundred year old artifacts to specimens discovered just weeks ago. Upon leaving the museum, the tourist takes with them a greater understanding of the country they are exploring. As well as the understanding of the way in which human culture affects, and is affected by, the natural world. The Planetarium is just as responsible for the greater dissemination of knowledge. This is the only planetarium connected to an historical museum throughout all of Africa, and the shows that are given here further illuminate the significance of the natural world, as well as being entertaining and exciting.

The South African Museum is the oldest of the the sub Saharan region of Africa. The collection housed here is not only meant for exhibition, but is designed to stimulate and educate as well as to entertain. As well as paintings and sculpture, artifacts from the the archaeological world and the natural world are displayed, such as the incredible rock art, displays which depict the reptiles and mammals of the Karoo, and the preserved fossil specimen of the now extinct species, Quagga. The only specimen of this species in the world is at this museum. Many travel to this area and find accommodations at the best hotels. South Africa has a rich cultural history and one that is immense, so it may be necessary to spend a few days wandering throughout the different sections of the museum. The history is diverse, and the specimen collection here represents that. The museum is located in a magnificent historical building which has been updated with modern architectural facilities. Showcased here is not just the history of the natural world, but the history of the people of this region of Africa.

The museum which was founded in 1925, has been adding to their collections for more than two hundred years. This is also the only South African museum which is connected to a planetarium. The shows at the planetarium change regularly and are definitely something not to be missed when touring the region. The collections in the archaeological realm vary from tools of the Stone Age, more than one hundred thousand years old, to fossils of fish and insects discovered one week ago. There are displays of clothing that was traditional during the last century, to those that are worn today. This museum is the key to understanding the history, and the present times, of the country. The cultural and biological elements that have contributed to the evolution of the African societies are illustrated throughout and will leave travelers and tourists with the understanding and the knowledge of the earth, of the country of Africa, and of her people.

Just off the coasts of the tip of South Africa, two oceans meet. These great oceans are the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian Ocean. From this location, the city of Cape Town offers travelers total visual experiences of the marine life just off of the shores, most of those capable of being witnesses from the beach itself. From the windows of the best Cape Town hotels and apartments, one is able whale watch, with all the comforts of being on dry land. This is one of the best venues worldwide. Every year, the migration of the Southern Right Whales takes place off the coast. The females give birth and nurse their young in the waters just off shore beginning in August and continuing through the month of November. Of the seventy eight species of dolphins and whales throughout the world, thirty seven of those can be found in the waters off the coast of South Africa.

The migration of the great Humpback whales takes place from May to December every year. And the Bryde Whales are in the waters, a bit further out to sea, all year long. There are many spots along the coast of the Cape which provide the opportunity to witness these large animals, a few of them being Saldanha Bay, Elandsbaai, Cape Town, and Yzerfontein. There is a local paper that lists the schedules of the ‘whale events’ throughout the year called the “Whale Crier“. This gives those interested a heads up on the activities of the whales and the most current sightings reported. And in the town of Plettenberg there is a whale ‘hotline’ number that lists current sitings and the times when the whales are seen to be close to shore. The waters surrounding the coasts are now protected, so as to give these animals the environment that is so rightly their own, to bear their young and continue on with their natural migratory patterns.

Robben Island was a prison for almost four hundred years, located just a few miles outside of Cape Town, South Africa. Rulers were exiled here during the time of Apartheid, those troublemakers and outcasts such as Nelson Mandela, and the current president of South Africa, Jacob Zuma, the men who stood up and fought against Apartheid and racism. The prison has been a museum since 1997, and has now become the seemingly unlikely location, for the celebration and conservation of the heritage and history of the country. Tours are given daily, with transportation from the mainland provided first by Cape Town car rentals, and then a two hour ferry ride to the island. Robben Island has been a World Heritage Site since 1999. The island is home to many indigenous birds that now are protected in the nature reserves and sanctuaries, as well as the rabbits, bucks and other wildlife native to the island.

Originally, this prison was meant to isolate freedom fighters and destroy their morale. However, true to the spirit of South Africa, Nelson Mandela spent twenty-seven years on the island, and when released, became the first elected president. Suffice it to say, the man’s morale was not crushed. Oppression in the prison during the 1960’s was intense, however the prisoners were able to overcome that and organized programs for education, debates about the politics of the time, and sporting games and events. The prison life just put them into a position wherein it was necessary for them to assert their rights to be treated with dignity. Perhaps they gained more strength and drive by the fact that they were incarcerated and it became imperative to their survival to demand to be treated with equality, to be treated as human beings. The history of the now democratic country, owes much to these prisoners, as the seeds of freedom and democracy were sowed in the prison of Robben Island.

The Kistenbosch Botanical Garden that is just outside of the city of Cape Town is one of the eight National Gardens of South Africa. This was the first garden with the particular ethos of planting and cultivated only those plants indigenous to the region. The Garden is one of the most famous, not just in Africa, but in the world as well. The Garden is situated at the foot of Table Mountain and close to many of the luxury hotels South Africa has to offer to those wanting to spend some time in the city and at the Garden. For the Garden is more than just the Garden itself, as there are many hiking trails up through Table Mountain, as well as mountain bike paths and nature walks. And in the summer time, when the garden is ablaze with the blooming daisies, there is a series of outdoor concerts, the perfect time to sit outside and enjoy the landscape, the scenic mountains, the incredible sunsets, and the beautiful music of South African bands and musicians.

The South African summer season begins in December and runs through March, and on Sundays the Garden offers the Summer Sunset shows. The Cape Philharmonic Orchestra plays at least once a month, and some of the bands that have played previously are Plush, Watershed, Loyiso Balla, and the Rudimentals. The stage is located inside the garden, which lends to the entire experience. The setting is breathtaking, and the atmosphere is casual, relaxed and friendly. Many plan ahead and bring their own picnic baskets and lounge about the garden on the slopes and hills, eating, drinking, relaxing with friends and listening to the music. It is best to get to the amphitheater early so as to ensure a great spot, however, if the concert is sold out, many still enjoy the music, sitting outside the gate on the benches and tables in the Garden.

The country of Spain is one the top spots to travel for those with interests in art, the artists and the history. Many of Spain’s native artists are among the most celebrated in the world, throughout history and in the modern day. Painters such as El Greco, Miro, Goya, and Dali are just a few. Perhaps the most well known and respected is Diego Velazquez. The Prado Museum in Madrid contains one of the largest collections of this artists work and directions to the museum can be found in the lobby of most of the five star Madrid hotels. Velazquez paintings must be seen in person and a trip to the city would not be complete without viewing this master’s work. Velazquez was famous and respected when he was alive and working and is spoken of today in the universities and art schools around the world.

Velazquez was born in 1599 in the Spanish city of Seville. He was an apprentice to Francisco Pacheco when he was 11 and continued to work for the painter until he was 16 years old. It was during this time that Pacheco influenced and educated Velazquez on Italian and Flemish Realism. In the time just after he had completed his apprenticeship, Velazquez painted everyday life, portraits, religious themed paintings, and still lives. His first most notable work, that put him into the category of a master painter, is titled ‘The Meal’. His work from this time period is often compared to Caravaggio. As it is very realistic, and as his use of shadow and light patterns is very well executed.

One of the famous pieces that is now housed at the Prado is titled the ‘Adoration of the Magi’. While painting this and the other religious scenes he completed during this time, he used as models, the people of his hometown of Seville. Many of these are on exhibit as well. Velazquez became a very famous commissioned court painter later in his life, and continued to work in this venue until his death in 1660. These court paintings are masterpieces. Diego Velazquez will continue to influence painters throughout the world for many, many years to come.

For luxury hotels, Valencia is in a unique position. It’s Spain’s third largest city, and is still, by many standards, a bit of a hidden jewel. With less over-development than some other areas, it maintains its classic charm and world-class sensibility. In the city, one can find plentiful evidence of Moorish and Roman influence in the architecture and in the food. There is also beach, right on the Mediterranean Sea, and style and substance to delight the senses.

There is a long tradition of art here, with famous paintings by Vicente Lopez, Juan de Joanes, Joaquin Sorolla, and Pinazo from antiquity on display at the Valencia Museum of Fine Arts. There are also a number of contemporary artists living here, whose work is peculiarly Valencian in their style and subject matter.

Chelin San Juan is one young artist whose work is making waves in the contemporary art world. She was born on May 1, 1967, in Zaragoza, Spain. When she was five years old, she emigrated to Chile with her parents, and later lived in Venezuela. She returned to Spain to attend the University of Bellas Artes in Barcelona in 1987, and moved back to Zaragoza in 1992, where she opened her own studio and worked for 11 years. Since 2003, Chelin San Juan has made Valencia her home.

Her work is called magical realist, and carries forward much of the surrealist tradition. Her subject matter is often the woman in nature, a classical theme that she modifies and manipulates to make spiritual and political comments. She also is rather fond of the subject of cats in her work. Other recurring images are water, birds, and transparent human figures who work like ghosts in the paintings. The effect is uncanny, startling in their composition and beauty and revealing a mystical world breathing beneath the surface of things.

The Singapore Repertory Theatre was founded in 1993 and is one of the leading English Speaking theatre companies in Asia. Its mission is to stage the greatest quality productions and reviews by locals and tourists alike attest to this. They collaborate with performers, directors and designers from around the world to bring some of the most known classics from the Western cannon to Singapore. The company also stages original works, which demonstrates its mutual focus on promoting the development of new plays. Tourists staying at 5 star Singapore hotels feel at home at the theatre and enjoy a reminder of their own cultural heritage.

One of the most critically acclaimed original work stagings by the Repertory is their production of Forbidden City: Portrait of an Empress. It is a musical that tells the story of Empress Dowager Cixi, the legendary Chinese empress. It was produced in 2002 as part of the opening festival of the Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay. It was so well received by critics and audiences that it was produced again by popular demand 2003. In 2006 it was produced as part of the Singapore IMF meetings. The musical was developed by Stephen Clark, Dick Lee and Steven Dexter and began its world tour in 2008.

Other critically acclaimed productions by the company include Into the Woods, Rent, Hamlet, M Butterfly and Barefoot in the Park. These productions were extremely popular with the local Singapore audience, which shows the diverse nature of its citizens’ interests and theatrical appreciation. Most of their productions occur at their home space at the DBS Arts Centre, though some of them are taken to the Esplanade. The Singapore Rep also has strong interest in developing performance skills and theatre appreciation in youth communities. They have a special program as part of their Youth Division, which includes the groups The Young Co, and the Little Company.

Many people travel to India to purchase carpets. Throughout many cities in the country, various styles of rugs, using various materials and techniques are sold each year, to foreigners as well as local business owners of Delhi hotels, banks, and boutique shops. The most well known of the carpets are made in Kashmir. The knots creating the patterns are high volume per square inch. Some of the designs that have become related to Indian rugs such as leaves, paisley, and floral prints were developed in the city. And many companies that make and distribute the rugs throughout India have taken these designs and utilized them. Various regions are known for differing quality in the weave.

The region that is becoming very well known for their carpets is Uttar Pradesh, with the largest density of carpet weavers in the country. Ninety percent of the rugs made in India are made here, with the range in quality from the low to medium styles, depending on the amount and density of the knot, the colors and quality of the yarn. The wool yarn varies in quality, and contributes to the way in which the carpet ages. Carpets made with finer quality wool, gain in luster throughout the years, making the older rugs of more value in many cases. These effects can be produced quickly by various stages of washing the carpets with chemicals, but just as in man-made diamonds, the real thing is worth more and more appreciated. Most believe as well, that washing the rugs in such a many actually damages the wool more, causing them to lose luster over time. Many of these wool rugs are exported. Some of the most consistent importers are Australia, Canada, Switzerland and the United States.

Lukas Ligeti is a Brooklyn based musician composer who is trying to carve his own path while following in the footsteps of his father. He was born and raised in Vienna and attended an international high school which exposed him to many musical styles and instruments. However, Ligeti had a very limited early musical education, consisting primarily of private piano instruction at the age of nine. After high school he enrolled at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna as a classical percussion student. In 1998 he moved to New York where he found like minds in the multicultural experimental scene. He now lives in a loft in Bushwick, Brooklyn

Ligeti received a commission from the Goethe Institute and subsequently led a workshop in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. He helped found a playing ensemble called Beta Foly and then worked with the Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics at Stanford University. His composition technique is heavily inspired by African music, as was his Hungarian born father, although Ligeti junior admits to taking this even further. He relates to the story telling nature of African griots.

In 2005 he was a featured artist at the Unyazi Electronic Music Festival in Johannesburg, South Africa. His performance included the use of the marimba lumina, which was designed by the American Engineer Don Buchla. He is currently working on a piece for solo violin with electronics with New York violinist Todd Reynolds. He is also working on a piece for solo marimba lumina, an electronic drum, commissioned by a consortium of American percussionists. He recently gave a one-man concert at a West Village club, Le Poisson Rouge. It was primarily a procession based performance and included the use of multicolored mallets and a marimba lumina. The music was a meshing of West African melodies and rhythms. The club is popular with tourists in New York who find their way to it from their 5 star New York hotels.

Kalk Bay Theatre is a small, intimate 78 seat venue, located in what used to be the Kalk Bay Church. It was built in 1876 and is preserved as a heritage building. The church has since been converted into the unique theatre space and includes a restaurant on the upper floor. This is a particularly attractive site for tourists who are seeking quality entertainment and a desire to taste some of Cape Town fine dinning.

The upper floor restaurant is small an intimate, offering the feeling of warmth and homemade cooking. Wooden tables and chairs contribute to this feel and diners are able to look down onto the stage below them. There are many vegetarian options to serve all tastes and interests. The kitchen offers a choice of pre-established three course dinners as well as the option of choosing directly from the menu. The three-course meal is more of an event than a single dining experience. The appetizer and main entrée are served before the evening’s show downstairs, while coffee and desserts are offered after the performance.

The 78 seat theatre below the restaurant continues the established intimate setting. It is a thrust stage with the audience seated on three sides. The productions are usually chosen from the mainstream popular cannon and run for eight weeks. The stage also hosts a popular program called Theatre Sports. This is South Africa’s longest running improvisational theatre show, as well as its most favorite. The play’s the thing, but it’s not the only thing offered at the Kalk Bay Theatre. Another popular entertainment is an alternative music program that takes place on certain Sunday evenings. The restaurant and theatre are happy to accommodate special circumstances such as out of town tourist groups to Cape Town and celebration of special events.

Frederic Auguste Bartholdi, a French sculptor received a commission for a piece in the late 1,800’s. That piece was the Statue of Liberty, commissioned by the country of France to be given to the country of the United States in honor of the 100th anniversary of the U.S. signing of the Declaration of Independence. Bartholdi was born in Alsace, but moved to Paris to train to become an architect. While in training for architecture he also studied painting, and soon began sculpting. The Statue of Liberty was not his only monumental piece, he focused on monumental sculptures and memorials and his masterpiece is considered to be one that is in Belfort, France…The Lion of Belfort.

The sculptor, who used his mother as the model for the creation of the Statue now on Ellis Island, did require assistance in the technical and structural aspects of creating such a large piece of work. He commissioned the help of man who designed the Eiffel Tower, Alexandre Gustave Eiffel, a man very knowledge about metal framework. Together the created the massive structure with a set of two different armatures, one being just as a skeleton functions for the human body, providing the strength necessary but allowing various sections to move independently from one another.

During the process, both countries ran into financial difficulties and relied on the donations and benefits thrown in order to raise the needed funds. In New York airport, hotel, and restaurants held theatrical and musical benefits. As was done in France. The French did manage to raise money for the completion of the sculpture itself, but the US was responsible for the funding and the building of the pedestal on which she would be installed. And the fund raisers just weren’t generating the funds. Joseph Pulitzer ran a news paper at the time. He wrote editorials criticizing the nation’s wealthy families and businesses for not contributing. He did succeed in this way. American people were motivated to donate and in October of 1886, the sculpture was installed on Ellis Island.

On this Spanish island of Ibiza, there is much more life than the ‘night-life’ the island has become so well known for. One hundred and seventy one migratory species have been identified, 5 various species of mammals, of which the monk seal is included and is currently on the top ten endangered species list, eleven species of reptiles and fifty-six endemic species of invertebrates. Most are living along the coasts, in the saltworks and lagoons. One of the few endemic pine tree forests left in Europe is on the island. Combine that life with sea grass and incredible reefs of corral, and a small form of marine life, of the 220 different species, the most concentrated area of life in all of the Mediterranean Sea, Ecteinascidea turbinata , discovered to have certain properties that combat and prevent various cancer forms, and it becomes quite clear that the government’s decision to declare this region protected, as just, valid and necessary.

The population of the two largest cities on the island, Sant Josep and Sant Francesc, combines to total just over 15,000 people. Not long ago, in 1995 the Nature Reserve, ‘Salinas de Ibiza y Formentera’ received the support and backing of the Spanish Government. It is now nominated to become a Heritage Site, Mixed Natural and Cultural. For just as the treasures found living today shed some light,archaeological findings have been discovered, more than ten underwater sites dating back to Stone Age, none have been thoroughly excavated or study as of yet. So just next to the patios and verandas of the luxury Ibiza hotels, lie the key to understanding the history of the island and her people. By study of these sites, more knowledge will be gained concerning the trade and interaction between the islands and the rest of the world. And by excavating the various underwater caves, must is to be learned about the evolution of the societies now living on the island. Preservation of the life now existing, and the preservation of the life that came before is the concern of the Reserve. With only ten permanent employees and various experts and scientists now traveling to the island, not only for the night life but the day life as well, the organization is hoping to discover the past and gain knowledge for the future co-habitation of the wildlife and the humans that are living together.

The capital of the island of Formentera is San Francesc. Formentera is the smallest and the most laid back of the Balearic islands. Many come here seeking solitude from the outside world and here they will find it. The town is less commercial then the other tourist distinations, which makes for quaint and peaceful surroundings. The hotels Formentera are small and seek to please in a very laid back style. And for those seeking them, there are bigger resorts and spas, offering up some of the more commercial and popular activities notable to the islands such as skiing, windsurfing, and speed boats. However, the goal for those choosing this island is generally more in tune with getting away from all that and enjoying the unspoiled nature of the landscapes and the beaches. One may hike or bike on any number of the many designated trails and paths that lead through the rural countryside.

The island itself is fascinating in many ways. For the most part Formentera has changed very little over the centuries, with historical buildings and sites still intact. Fortified churches and watch towers still remain from the times when the inhabitants were protecting themselves from the marauding pirates and various armies. Most of these historical sites are located in the capital. Around all the sites are shops and street vendors, ready to barter and just talk with stories of their ancestors, or of themselves if you really get them going. It is a slow kind of escape for most taking time out from the hectic and over commercialized ‘real world’. And if you are lucky, you may find the mythical hippy compound. Many are certain it is there, but no one seems to know exactly where. Try taking walks through the various hippy markets and questioning the vendors and artists and musicians. The craft-work and artistic trinkets are a beautiful way to take a bit of the charm and experience home.

The inaugural Dubai International Poetry Festival was opened with great fanfare by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai, on Wednesday, March 4th. The festival seeks to celebrate poetry as “an integral element in the UAE’s cultural fabric and as the language of intercultural connectedness and dialogue between nations.”

The opening ceremonies were held at the Dubai World Trade Center and attended by various senior government officials, cultural representatives and over 100 poets from around the world. In all, forty-five countries are represented at the event as well as local and regional poets, writers, and fans. Keynote speeches were given by the head of the Festival’s organizing committee and by poet Breyten Breytenbach of South Africa.

The Festival, which runs through March 10th, will feature recitals and exhibitions at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Center as well as cultural activities at additional venues throughout the city. Attendees are lodged at number of Dubai, UAE hotels in the area and are expected to improve business at restaurants, shops, and other businesses who are just beginning to feel the effects of the global economic slowdown.

There were several poetry soirees on the opening day and commemorative evenings will feature different subjects and poets each night. March 8th will be the International Women’s Day and feature an exclusive women’s event. There will also be celebrations of the works of revered poets Abu Al Qassim Al Shabi and of 11th century poet Omar Al Kayyam.

Readings from contemporary poets, international and local, will be held throughout the event both at the main site and at Dubai universities.

On Friday, February 13th, audiences at the Beacon Theatre in New York were treated to a surprise reunion by Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel. Simon was performing at a gala event celebrating the renovation of the Beacon.

The duo performed several of their most popular hits, including “The Sound of Silence.” This is only the third time they have played together since their 2004 reunion tour concluded. Garfunkel flew up from Florida for one night only. Simon played a second concert on Saturday.

The audience included celebrities such as Paul McCartney, Jimmy Fallon, and Jon Bon Jovi. The mayor of New York, Michael Bloomberg, was also on hand.

The Beacon renovation included a cutting edge sound system as well as a refurbishment of the interior. It took seven months.

Upcoming concerts at the theater will include Van Morrison, Bryan Adams, B.B. King, and “Thomas & Friends Live.” Audience members from out-of-state will find a number of New York hotel suites in easy distance to the theater to complete their visit to the theater.

Though it is known as an Asian capital for commerce and business, Bangkok is also proud of its art scene. With a strong artistic heritage, the city has become the center for contemporary art in the region. It is also home to a number of museums and cultural centers that furthur foster interests and development in the arts. The National Gallery of Thailand and the Bangkok Metropolitan Museum of Contemporary Art are located here.

The Ayutthay period was a golden age of art for Bangkok. Almost all early artwork in the area was created anonymously under Theravada Buddhism as service to the community’s spiritual enlightenment. Over the years, Bangkok art began to incorporate more western elements and the resulting style is known as Rattanakosin, though its sometimes referred to as Bangkok style.

Traditional arts are still valued in Bangkok. Some galleries exclusively offer works featuring traditional rural motifs. These generally reflect the influence of Buddhist motifs and beliefs and remain popular with the general population. With an ever-increasing pool of artists, both in the city and in the surrounding areas, Bangkok offers a wide variety of works, including works with contemporary themse such as the modern obsession with money and the rejection of traditional values.

Of course, there is more to Bangkok than art. Many visitors come to the city on business or seeking to enjoy the historic landmarks. There are also a number of well-placed parks that provide opportunities for relaxation and recreation. And, as with any truly modern city, there are numerous restaurants, five star Bangkok hotels, and nightclubs to keep visitors happy.