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Facts About The Edinburgh Festival

March 30th, 2011 No comments

The Edinburgh Festival is known as the biggest cultural occasion in the whole world. The origins can be tracked back to the late 1940s when the Edinburgh international Festival was created. Each year, the festival is growing in size and popularity as more people from around the globe decide to pay a visit to the region and take part in the various festivals. The Edinburgh Festival is really not just one event but a number of independent festivals all happening within a 3 or 4 week timeframe.

One of the most discussed among these festivals is definitely the Edinburgh International Book Festival which takes place within the last 3 weeks of August on a yearly basis. It happens in Charlotte Square which is within the center of Edinburgh. Claiming as being the largest festival of this sort anywhere, this particular book festival offers many political and cultural discussions and debates combined with the popular children’s program.

One more well-known Edinburgh Festival is referred to as the Free Edinburgh Fringe Festival. This festival has been given fantastic reviews coming from a variety of news sources because of its track record of presenting award-winning entertainers and events. The festival centers around comedy, children’s performances, cabaret, opera plus much more.

The Edinburgh Comedy Festival is yet another common destination. For individuals who enjoy a good chuckle, this variety of humor performances is worth visiting.

For your music devotees around the world, the Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival is the place to be. For 10 days each and every year, individuals come from around the globe to hear the musical stylings of many popular entertainers along the lines of Chick Corea and Wynton Marsalis among others. Annually, the music entertainers come from all corners of the globe to perform for a group of excited vacationers and locals. In addition, Scottish performers share their skills with the audience too. Needless to say, the blues is a main component to this event so other entertainers who’ve come in past times were names like BB King and Buddy Guy.

The biggest jazz celebration in the UK also has “Jazz on a Summer’s Day” that takes place out in Princes Street Gardens just under the Edinburgh Castle’s shadow. This particular event is free of charge and showcases the very best performers from the Festival.

There is plenty to do and experience during the Edinburgh Festivals every year. Individuals come from across the world to see these displays of culture and entertainment. There exists really nothing just like it in any other section of the planet, and it is growing even bigger every year.

If you are considering a Scottish vacation and you are currently looking for guest houses and Edinburgh hotels then please consider taking a look at our listings of hotels in Edinburgh

Night Life in Marin County – Live Music Happening Every Night of the Week

August 18th, 2009 No comments
by David DuPont

There are several places in Marin County where you can sit down and have dinner and drinks and hear live music. You may have to eat dinner elsewhere before going to a few other places, but get ready. Live music is truly alive and well in Marin County! Yes, its true that three towns in Marin County have more than one place thats their claim to fame. Fairfax is well known for its line up of nightclubs on Broadway, including The Sleeping Lady, Peris Silver Dollar and 19 Broadway. These places really rock most, if not all nights of the week.

For the more sedate among us, theres Sausalito, which features three places with live music. These include Saylors, which used to be Sailors Landing; the No Name Bar, which jumps with live music every night of the week; and Taste of Rome, which used to be Cafe Trieste. Both Saylors and Taste of Rome feature live music on the weekends.

The following are listings of Marin Venues with live music.

Bolinas

Smileys Schooner Saloon, 41 Wharf Road, Bolinas, Tel: (415) 868-1311. There is a full menu and bar. Bands play every night of the week, including reggae. Web: coastalpost.com.

Fairfax

The Sleeping Lady, 23 Broadway, Fairfax, Tel: (415) 485-1182. Live music nightly. Web: sleepingladyfairfax.com.

Peris Silver Dollar, 29 Broadway, Fairfax, Tel: (415) 459-9910. Varied music is offered nightly except hip hop and reggae. Monday is open mike night.

Nineteen Broadway, 19 Broadway, Fairfax, Tel: (415) 459-1091. Full bar. This place bills itself as “the hottest nightclub in the North Bay.” Live music most nights ” jazz, blues and rock.

Mill Valley

The legendary Sweetwater, New Address: 32 Miller Avenue, Mill Valley, Tel: (415) 388-2820. Music is featured nightly. Note: As of this writing, the new and improved Sweetwater is still under construction.

Nicasio

Rancho Nicasio, Town Square, Nicasio, Tel: (415) 662-2219. Well-known entertainment venue with restaurant. Music like Zydeco, blues, rock, rockabilly, jazz and more.

Point Reyes Station

Station House Cafe, full menu and bar. Music on Sunday nights. Folk, Americana. Main Street, Point Reyes Station, Tel: (415) 663-1515.

San Rafael

Fourth Street Tavern, full bar. Live music most nights. Eclectic, many kinds of music. 711 Fourth St., San Rafael, Tel: (415) 454-4044.

Panama Hotel, 4 Bayview St., San Rafael, Tel: (415) 457-3993. Live Jazz is performed Tuesday and Thursday and every other Wednesday. Bar & restaurant are featured. This place is a Bed & Breakfast in San Rafael. Full menu and bar.

Petes 881, 721 Lincoln Ave., San Rafael, Tel: (415) 453-5888. Ask for Randy. Full menu and bar. Jazz band every other Tuesday.

Sausalito

No Name Bar, there’s a small jazz combo 5 nights a week, Tuesday through Saturday and Sunday afternoon. 757 Bridgeway, Sausalito, Tel: (415) 332-1392.

Saylor’s (was Sailor’s Landing) Restaurant & Bar, Friday and Saturday – light music, including soft jazz, blues. 2009 Bridgeway, Sausalito, Tel: (415) 332- 1512.

Taste of Rome, Italian food, coffee and tea. Music Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. Jazz and other types of music. 1000 Bridgeway, Sausalito, Tel: (415) 332- 7660.

Because these kinds of listings change over time, it’s important to telephone the venue to verify this information.

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Advice For First Time Boat Charter

June 8th, 2009 No comments
by Tom Binns

Vacations can become “times of your life” when you get aboard a boat. It can be a day to remember if it goes well. You will need to follow some simple rules to avoid problems. Here are a few basic tips to make your day trouble free.

If you have chartered a boat “bareboat” that means there’s no crew on board. If you have not got the necessary paper work you will need to hire a fully qualified skipper. Often the charter company can organise this for you.

Fuel is not normally included in the price of a charter. It will be charged to you as an extra at the end of the trip. Something to think about as boats love to guzzle back the diesel.

Take plenty of sun lotion the power of the sun is deceiving at sea and it’s effects are not always noticed until you are back on dry land. The other side to that coin is that you can tan three times the speed at sea.

Snorkel and goggles are a must if you are going to moor up and take a dip in the sea. They’re great for spotting jelly fish before it’s too late [a problem in the Med] or sharks [in other seas]

The safety warning are usually recited at the start of the trip and they are worth listening to. Children must wear life jackets at all times. Adults are normally only required to wear them if they can’t swim or in bad weather.

It’s tradition to tip the skipper at the end of a trip or if you are lunching ashore it’s often a good idea to invite the skipper along, he might have some great sea stories to share with you.

There’s the basics, most of all have fun – if it goes well you will have one of the most amazing days of you life!

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The Different Cultures That Japan Has To Offer

March 6th, 2009 No comments

The culture of Japan is one of a kind and has great variety. It has millions of fans globally because of its ability to both fascinate and excite many individuals. The Japanese have also been able to adapt modern culture and made it their own, while retaining much of their past identity.

This cannot be more true than in her export of fashion. The Japanese never rest on their laurels and are always on the cutting edge when it comes to designing and dressing up. This has meant becoming an industry leader especially in the surrounding regions.

At the core of Japan’s cultural soul is its ever changing face of fashion. Japanese street fashion is at its most popular and it has influenced other Asian and Western styles. Even the decidedly different cosplay style that has its roots in anime has already carved out a deep niche of its own all over the world.

Japanese popular music is another of its global export that has taken a life of its own. Within Asia, it is certainly the mainstream music form that has the largest followings within the region. It has steadily grown in authority in Western countries as well, due in no small part to the relentless marketing by the record labels.

The same foreigners who have developed a love for anything Japanese have not spared the language either. There has been a constant influx of people who have made the effort to study the language in Japan, as well as to soak in the culture and atmosphere right in the country. A strong desire to learn more about Japan is at the heart of this movement.

Japanese culture is not just about music or clothes. They also indulge in fine arts such as brush calligraphy. The ancient martial arts are also part of their identity and there is a huge cult following for both samurai and ninja philosophies outside of the country.

There is a side to the Japanese that they have increasingly applied to commercial culture. There is a national obsession with cuteness. Many products that are made in Japan always come designed with that catered in mind. It has proven to be successful so far as millions all over the world have taken to it in droves.

Japanese culture is just so diverse and interesting. The above are just some of the many facets of the East Asian country’s rich background. If you are willing to dig deeper and find out more, there will be no disappointment but more surprises in store.

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