Company Affair

The 13th century icon that hangs in the Church of Santa Maria Assunta in Positano is one of the big attractions in this perfect town. The icon is mysterious and deep, and so is Positano. Coming into the town by car, one has to leave the car in a parking lot, and make the rest of the journey without the vehicle, because this is a pedestrian city. Walking to the Positano hotel for the first time, people notice that this is one of the most beautiful places on the planet, and start to understand why it’s sometimes called the city of the stairs.

The houses seem to hang on the side of the mountain, overlooking a beach that opens up into forever. Sea travel looks almost easier than transportation by car, and the constant view makes for lofty morning thoughts about how things got to be this way.

As if this weren’t enough, the story behind the Black Madonna is even more interesting, and there’s pirates involved. They’d been carrying the portrait with them after stealing it, and one night, in the middle of a terrible storm, the painting spoke, asking the pirates to put her down. Like any good pirate would, they stopped right away, in Positano, and set her to rest. The storm was quelled immediately. And she’d found her home.

There are a lot of stories about Black Madonnas , all over Europe and the Americas, and it’s a puzzle that doesn’t have an answer. The figures, paintings and sculptures, portraying her with dark skin, are the subject of a lot of debate. Some say they are only depicting her as a Semite, and they are merely realistic. It sounds plausible, but in the tradition of the religious iconography of the time, they come as a definite break. Some say the paintings have soot, but that’s been largely proven inaccurate. Still others claim that it’s a reference to a Gnostic tradition, and contains a much deeper mystery.

Whether it’s mystical, or folklore, or just a pretty painting, it’s worth seeing, and it makes up part of what Positano has come to be.

Spending any amount of time in Italy is always a sure sign that something has turned out right.  It doesn’t take long before the flow of life becomes clear, and clearly easy, with the simple pleasures of eating and drinking enhanced by the subtle sophistication of looking at great works of art.  Volterra is far enough from the larger urban centers to maintain a very particular local charm, but near enough to the road to Rome that you can still feel that elegant connection to history.  From the sumptuous hospitality of Volterra hotels, it’s evident that they’ve been in the business of enchanting guests for a very long time.  Likewise, it would be difficult not to be enchanted here, and really rather pointless to try.

This is a perfectly splendid place to get away from it all, and to really immerse yourself in another way of life.  The hardest part of being here is the inevitability of leaving, but that adds a kind of gracious weight to the lightness of the days.  There are plenty of opportunities to take in magnificent food and fantastic art, of course, and everyone should see Singorelli’s Annunciation at least once in a lifetime.  This great Italian master is said to have paved the way for Michelangelo, and his own accomplishments certainly stand on their own.

This great work is in the Pinacoteca Civica, and is dated to the mid fifteenth century.  It’s a marvelous work of heavenly movement and urgency, and viewing it in person gives one the sense of the brilliant inner life of this great artist.  His sense of humanism is evident in the heavenly and earthly forms, and this work is as delightful as his works on Dante are grim and meditative.  Yet there is still an enormously meditative air about this work as well, suggesting that weight can enter into the lightest of moments when it is coupled with the momentum of time.

Ask at any of the hotels Brisbane has to offer about what to do in town and they will invariable mention the Gallery of Modern Art or GoMA. It’s actually part of a complex of museums reached by ambling down River Walk, which is a walkway that’s actually floating and links the business core of the city; and past beaches and swimming lagoons. It’s right on the Stanley River and overlooks the city. The GoMA has works by Australian and artists from all over the world. Giant windows frame the view of the city, and sits next to the Queensland Art Gallery.

Or try the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, the largest koala sanctuary in the world. 40 miles north of Brisbane, you can get there by bus which will drop you off at the gate. Animals from Australia are everywhere and we enjoyed the petting zoo. Holding a koala is a must do, so is feeding the kangaroos. They have wallabies which are related to kangaroos, which they look like but are smaller. All these animals are a kick to see, especially in this pleasant sanctuary. Also living there are dingoes and flying foxes, which are large bats. Where else can you get to hold a koala?

For more animals Brisbane Whalewatching will take you on a day tour of humpback whales in Moreton Bay. A high speed catamaran takes you quickly out into the bay where you can observe the whales as well as dolphin pods and turtles. Live commentary make this a wonderfully educational and enjoyable tour. The food is almost as good as the view as guests are treated to a delicious buffet. Seeing the whales is unforgettable as they jump out of the water and come right up to the boat.

Two interesting projects are being produced this summer by students of the Newcastle School of Art, Music and Design school in Newcastle, England.  Some will be performed in touring shows outside the city, and some will bring in people to the town to stay in a Newcastle hotel, to see the shows that take place within the city limits.  One such show will be performed at the Edinburgh Festival this August in Scotland.  The piece being presented by the students of the University of Wales, Newport is a retelling of the play “Hamlet” by Shakespeare.  The title of the new multi-media version is “My Minds Eye”.  This adaptation holds fast with the original themes of Shakespeare’s work, those of the many varieties of love that take place, of death and of uncertainty.

These are themes that run constantly throughout the scenes of the original, and will do so in the University’s version as well.  What the students attempted to do was to deconstruct the play, and then put it back together.  Like the pieces of a puzzle that do fit back into the original, however by different pieces added at different times.  What they are hoping for is a play that is thought provoking and works that though avant garde, will appeal to and inspire the audiences at the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh.

These audiences that have been attending the festival for years are known for their sophisticated and open view of theater that is both contemporary and traditional, often both within the same piece of work.  What they have done is to give all the parts to just four players.  Although this is considered to be an innovative and experimental interpretation, they will be performing using only the original text as it was written by Shakespeare.  The Edinburgh Festival will run through the month of August and will present many such new works by companies from around the globe.

I have two interest, Ghosts and beautiful Gardens, so I made arrangements while in my Birmingham Hotel to take some guided tours. It was hard to decide which one I wanted to do first, my time in Birmingham was limited, one and a-half days. So, I decided to see the Nature Center first, then later that night, I arranged to go beneath the surface of Birmingham.

The Nature Center stunned me, I didn’t expect England to have a habitat as diverse and as high quality as any I’ve been to around the world. The center has woodlands, farms, wetlands and gardens. There’s no way I’d be able to explore every part in one day, but I thought I’d do my damnedest to try. I saw every major group of the world’s animal kingdom. Some 130 different species of animals were represented, like not only deer, but they have fish and otters, snakes and spiders and all kinds of birds. This natural habitat provides sources of food and shelter for native wildlife also, such as the kingfisher, newts and squirrels. I didn’t have time to check out the museum building and the Birmingham’s natural history collection, because it was getting late, and night was upon me.

Time to go on my Ghost hunting tour. Birmingham has a long dark history. The tour took me on an alternative walk through the city’s past. Telling stories that really haunted me and making me wish I took the tour during the day. We went for the heart of the city, Victoria Square to the bone chilling catacombs located in the infamous Jewellery Quarter. I heard stories of plague, gruesome public executions. I got to see known haunted areas were murders took place, and it smelled really bad. Birmingham really did have a dark side. One, I’m glad they have overcome. On my way back to the hotel, I was thinking next time I’ll do something scary first then do something in nature.

Red Hot Chili Peppers are blisteringly hot onstage. They are an American funk rock band that formed in Los Angels in 1983. They are known for their concert performances and onstage antics, which at one time featured the band members appearing onstage wearing nothing but a gym sock, and it was not on one of their feet. They are also known for their frequent improvisation playing during their shows. This is standard aspect of their music and contributes to the vibrant dynamic in their sound. Some of their early shows were completely composed of improve, and it has become a signature aspect of their style. Most of their ticketed concerts still end with an extended improvisation, which is usually expanded from the song Give it Away.

The Chili Peppers have become one of the unofficial representatives of Southern California and many of their songs focus on Los Angeles and the state. Under the Bridge is one of those. It was their first mainstream hit and hit number two on the Billboard Top 100. The song was written by singer and writer Anthony Kiedis and expresses the singer’s bond with the city of Los Angeles. He has stated he wrote it during a period of feeling isolated and alone, and his at the time the city itself felt like his only friend. He had been sober for 3 years, and as usually happens he couldn’t participate in the same things with the same people he used to.

Californication is the Chili Pepper’s seventh studio album and was released in 1999. It was an instant success and has sold over 15 million copies throughout the world. This is also their highest selling album, and put the band in another league of stardom. The album contained the songs Scar Tissue, Otherside, and the song Californication, which is also the album title. In 2000 Scar Tissue won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Song.

What really could be better than a vacation right about now? Not much right? A vacation where the only thing you really have to pack is a bikini and a cover up. Something where you lounge all day and eat and drink all night.

I just love those vacations where you get up in the morning, put on your swim suit and then lay your day away drinking boat drinks. Only to shower in the night, just in time to make it for dinner. Hoping that you don’t get too sunburned during the day. That is what Hawaii can offer you. And now is the time to think about going, because it is really more affordable than you could ever even dream of right now.

Because the economy is slow, vacations are more affordable than ever. The plane seats still need to be filled, and those cruise ships still need to cruise. But because everyone is cutting back on their budget, there are more seats available than ever for that Hawaii holiday. And I’m talking top destinations at Kauai hotels and other great places to stay on the islands.

If you want to get a really amazing deal, try booking far in advance, or making it an impromptu trip. Sites like Expedia do all the work for you and help you find vacation packages, so that your flight and hotel are booked together for one great stress free vacation.

There is still a need to shop around though. Try calling places you want to stay directly. Sometimes they will give you a better rate over the phone and you won’t have to pay your entire total until you check out, just a simple deposit. Deposits are usually about half of the overall total.

So, if you need to get away, think about going somewhere more exotic than you thought you could afford, because you just might be able to now!

Five-star Dubai hotels are featured in every daydream of travelers who have set foot here and had the pleasure of enjoying the luxurious accommodations and world-class service that are provided. The food and atmosphere are beyond compare as the finest chefs in the world compete with some of the most gracious taste-makers who work behind the scenes to design a perfect travel experience. The same taste-makers and trend-setters are at work in the urban landscape, and there are pockets of culture that are turning up here. It’s become a hot spot for world culture and the locals are treated to some of the most interesting performers in the region, competing for a moment to make their art public.

The music scene has been fascinating to watch recently. There is an influx of musicians, new transplants, expat kids who are suddenly grown up, and die-hard locals who love the city because it’s home, and want to make something audible happen in the streets. Recently too there has been a rise in the number of music festivals, and as expected, a rise in music venues. One such venue that has its fingers on the musical pulse here is The Warehouse Club, Le Meridien Dubai. In its infancy still, this club is participating in some very tasty music festivals, and it would appear that the owners are very hip on what’s happening locally. Musicians are always lamenting the dearth of places to play, and Dubai city is perhaps even more difficult to find an artistic home, but this is exactly what The Warehouse is offering. Taking part in both Global Sound Stage and Slob Fest, and also mixing up the musical menu with live jazz on Tuesday nights, there is something for a number of musical tastes here, and this is a gift to both audiences and musicians.

The Warehouse is also a top shelf restaurant. The setting is beautiful, extremely classy and architecturally fascinating, a real designer’s heaven. There is also a sophisticated and delicious menu that features Euro-style fusion cuisines, in a European café setting. All this in a desert landscape, and the easy blend of culture and creature comfort make this life a very pleasant dream.

The Wind Catchers in Dubai represent the traditional Persian architectural design device that created natural ventilation in buildings throughout previous centuries. The original design and idea is not accredited to a single individual, though they have been paramount to the culture’s architectural history. They are not only found in Dubai, but also in Pakistan and Afghanistan as well as throughout the Middle East. Tourists visiting the city, whether they’re there for business or pleasure will have ample opportunity to view this unique building aspect. It’s even possible they are part of the design of some business hotels Dubai.

While the climate is consistently dry, temperatures vary throughout the day and also throughout the seasons. Even a single day’s temperature can range from extremely hot to extremely cold. For this reason, most of the buildings are made from very dense ceramics and have strong insulation. This protects the interior from all of the extremes. They also include small windows that do not face the sun, which restricts the heat penetration from the desert sky.

By design, the wind catcher has at its top several directional ports. The purpose of this is that all but one can be closed, leaving open the one that is facing directly away from the incoming wind. By doing this, the air will be drawn upwards, creating the Coanda effect. This creates a significant ventilation effect, and helps to maintain temperature control. This design is so effective that it has been used throughout the centuries and the culture has consistently relied on it. They can be built to create such frigid temperatures that they have also been used to store water supplies at a near freezing level to last through the hot summer months. A small wind catcher is called a shish-khan and is also a main aspect of Persian architecture. These serve for simple ventilation devices and are seen on the tops of many urban buildings.

The Dubai Festival for Youth Theatre is aimed toward the recognition of young talent and supporting the development and education of young people who are involved in the performing arts. Last year’s festival took place under the patronage of Sheikh Majed and included a final evening gala celebrating the exceptional performers, directors and playwrights. Tourists who visit the UAE and stay in one of the five star hotels Dubai often seek out these fabulous cultural activities. Festivals such as this provide an excellent opportunity to experience the contemporary social and cultural lifestyle of the UAE.

The ten day festival had the dual purpose of launching the UAE’s young talent pool and also serving as an exceptional summer entertainment event for audiences. It is recognized as one of the premiere platforms for young practitioners to hone their skills and receive acknowledgment for their efforts at the regional and national level. This also prepares them for the highly competitive aspect of the professional theatre industry, in which they will be working. The performing arts plays an essential role in the lifestyle and cultural basis of the AUE and celebrating the up and comers in the field is paramount. The festival has become a central component of raising the profile of performing arts in the country.

Last year’s awards were presented by Mohammed Al Murr, the Vice Chairman of the DCAA. The festival was held at the Cultural and Scientific Association located in DubaiCs Al Mamzar area. Every night of the festival a new play was presented which led to the final evening’s award celebration. There was a tie for the award for Best Director between Marwan Abulla, who directed Anambar at the Dubai Al Ahil Theater, and Hamad Abdulrazaq, who directed Al Sitarah at the Sharjah National Theater. Jasim Al Kharraz won the award for Best Playwright for his play Zaman Al Youm, Dubai Folklore. The award for Best Actress went to Bedour and the award for Best Actor went to Hussain Yousef.

A Dubai beach resort can really be all things to all people, and the guests here will know the taste of first-class luxury in a first-class setting.  Dubai city, with its stunning natural surroundings and fascinating urban energy, is growing into a city that has a special place in the heart of locals, and also among the growing community of internationals here.  There is a wealth of culinary delights, glorious shopping malls, and cultural events to keep the whole family fascinated and entertained.  There is a strong multi-cultural character to the city, with pockets of communities that are becoming a rich part of the local scene.

The Filipino community has long held a presence here, and so it should be no surprise that a world-class magazine like Illustrado would make a home here.  Founded with the intention of uplifting the morale and public image of Filipino women in the gulf, this glossy combines high production values with a grass roots sensibility that appeals to its reader base.  The result is a magazine that is not only empowering but also refreshingly free of the usual gossip and materialism that define similar enterprises.  The editorial staff here is uncompromising in its vision to presenting real issues to real women.  Its staff is composed of writers and visual artists based in the UAE, the Phillipines, Southeast Asia, ant the United States.

Every year Illustrado holds an event to honor some of the most accomplished women in the Filipino community in the UAE.  Called the Illustrado Women of Substance Awards, this event typicially honors a half-dozen women who have achieved prominence in their fields over the past year.  Last year’s event was stunning, and attracted local and international press.  Lalaine Chu-Benitez, Illustrado’s Publisher and Editor-in-Chief, is quick to point out that this is an award that goes to real women who have made real contributions to society, and is not simply an award for popularity.  Awards went to Filipina chemist Engr. Mary Jane Alvero Al Mahdi, Lilian Vargas, senior manager of Dubai City Duty-Free, Gulf Today Senior Reporter and UAE Filipino Pres Club President Mariecar Jara-Puyod, entrepreneur and creator of Filipino snack company Nanay Tuneng, Isabelita Sabado-Warren, nurse Juliet Solas, and the pianist-singer-writer and model Clarita de Quiroz Craig.  All of these women were honored for their exceptional contributions and on-going commitment to raising the profile of Flilipino women here.

For luxury hotels, Mallorca offers some of the most superb lodgings in this most superb location. Situated on the Mediterranean Sea, Mallorca is one of the world’s great vacation treasures. With sumptuous mountains on one side and mountains on the other, guests will find themselves as spellbound as world travelers have for centuries upon centuries. The history of trade in Mallorca also makes for an extremely warm local population, well-versed in all the manners of hospitable people  in a climate that is also hospitable year-round. Travelers here will find themselves engaged in rich and rewarding conversations with the locals as they discover the secrets of the area.

While the stunning natural sites hold immediate interest, there is also a rich treasure of intellectuals and artists who come from Mallorca. Three fascinating upcoming artists are Astrid Colomar, Jose Maria Sicilia, and Miquel Barcelo.

Astrid Colomar is known for her fascination and fixation on water, which is no surprise given her daily surroundings. Her works are almost singularly obsessed with the color blue, and many of her works are variations on the theme of shades of blue, washing over the canvas like water over the sand. In her aptly titled “Universal Blood Series,” there are complex geometries of gravity of water expressed through her paint.

Jose Maria Sicilia is another artist from Mallorca, now living in Paris, whose works are evocations of intoxicating beauty. He claims that his paintings existed before he worked on them, echoing an artistic philosophy of the creator as channel for inspiration. His works are fantastically mysterious and simple, where abstract images take form when the viewer stares at them. To seal the impressions as if created by nature, he coats some of his work in beeswax to preserve the image in time.

Miquel Barcelo is perhaps the most image-conscious contemporary artist of note here, whose famous panorama on the gothic cathedral in the Palma de Mallorca is a dazzling and overwhelming work of natural beauty itself. It took him seven years to complete. One of his more recent projects, the Human Rights Hall in the United Nations in Geneva, uses over 77,000 pounds of paint. The drippings, which are substantial, are meant to create stalactites in this artist’s natural cave. The mix of nature’s gravity on the paint confirms his position as a Mallorcan artist of note.

Pandit Ravi Shankar is one of the most famous Indian musicians. He was born in April of 1920 and his family is Bengali, originating from what is now Bangladesh. He realized his love for music early in life and began performing on stage at the age of 10. He has won numerous awards throughout his career including 3 Grammy Awards and in 1999 he was given the Bharat Ratna Award, which is India’s highest honor for civilians. Shankar’s career has been impressive around the world and he has worked with some of the most famous musicians known, including George Harrison. In addition he has composed music for film scores and is the father of American musician Norah Jones and sitar player Anoushka Shankar. Tourists staying in 5 star hotels Bangalore may hear some of his music piped through the lobby.

Shankar is known and respected around the world for both his sitar playing and also for his composing. He was nominated for the Academy Award for his musical score for Ghandi. Other films he has composed for include Charly and Chappaqua. He has also composed solo violin pieces and works for the flute. Generally when writing for a specific instrument, he is also writing for a specific musician. Violinist Yehudi Menuhin and the virtuoso flutist Jean-Pierre Rampal are two among many for whom he has composed.

His daughter Anoushka Shankar will be performing the debut of his concerto for sitar and symphony. She will be performing with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra. This is Shankar’s third sitar concerto. He has worked with, influenced and taught some of the world’s top musicians. Philip Glass recognizes him as a major influence and inspiration. The two collaborated together to create Passages, for which they arranged and reworked each other’s music. Also, Shankar wrote the sitar part for Glass’s 2004 Orion. He has homes in California and New Delhi, India.

Zubin Mehta is a highly acclaimed India Conductor. He was born in April of 1936 in Bombay. Mehta had many interests in his childhood, and was originally going to study medicine. However, by the time he was 18, he realized his passion for music was essential to his life pursuits and made the decision to study under the highly honored instructor Hans Swarowsky in Vienna. At the same time prominent world personalities in the music business, Claudio Abbado and Daniel Barenboim were studying at the academy. Many tourists who were staying in Bombay India Hotels in 2008 had the privilege of watching him conduct the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra.

Mehta made his conduction premiere while in Vienna in 1958. This was a profound personal and professional year for him as he also won the International Conducting Competition in Liverpool and was appointed to the position of Assistant Conductor of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. His work as a conductor has taken him around the world and in 1960 he was awarded the position of Music Director for the Montreal Symphony Orchestra. He was also the Music Director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic from 1962 to 1978. Mehta has worked with internationally recognized musicians and orchestras throughout his career.

In 1969 the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra appointed him as its Music Advisor, and in 1977 he became their Music Director. In 1981 they made the decision to appoint him as Music Director for life. Mehta’s father was the internationally acclaimed violinist and conductor. He was the original founder of the Bombay Symphony Orchestra and had a tremendous impact on his son’s musical development and appreciation. In 2002 he died at the age of 94 in Santa Monica, California. Zubin Mehta’s 2008 concert with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra in Bombay was conducted in honor of his father.

Singapore has spent millions of dollars in the last 10 years on its arts infrastructure. Poised to become the art center of Southeast Asia, a group of entrepreneurs and investors partnered with the National Arts Council to develop a state of the art storage facility.  The Singapore FreePort is a building that has been designed specifically for the storage, display and transfer of various art collections and valuable objects.  It has been engineered to manage the security of the storage areas and to allow viewing of the objects. The Singapore FreePort facility is located adjacent to the Changi International Airport which will facilitate easy and safe transfer of collections and items of value. When this facility opens in 2010, it will solidify Singapore’s position as the art center of Southeast Asia. Singapore will reap both the financial gains and the status it has long been seeking.

In addition to this state of the art facility, Singapore is investing heavily in the development and improvement of its’ museums.  The National Art Gallery of Singapore will join an elite group of recently opened or renovated museums in Singapore. Included in this group are the overhauled National Museum of Singapore; 8Q sam, a new contemporary branch of the Singapore Art Museum; and the Peranakan Museum, a redesigned sister institution to the Asian Civilizations Museum. The National Art Gallery will serve as a center for research and exhibitions for Singaporean and Southeast Asian art.  Items will be collected from various local masters as well as from private collectors. Some items will be on loan from local museums. The new museum will encompass over 500,000 square feet of space and will be located in the former City Hall of Singapore, close to one of the Singapore luxury hotels, Raffles.  Chief among the goals of the museum, is to promote art education and appreciation, therefore they will devote a significant amount of space to an art gallery for children.  The National Art Gallery projected to be completed in 2013.

Bangkok’s 10^th Annual International Festival of Dance and Music is one of the city’s major cultural celebrations. It bills itself as a dedication to the memory of Princess Galyani Vadhana, and stresses the importance of her support through the festival’s inception and growth. This all-encompassing festival brings together major talents from across the country and beyond. It includes performances from the greatest dancers and musicians from around the world. One of the original intentions was to place Bangkok on the international map of culture, a goal that it has certainly met and exceeded. Not only will performers come from around the world, but audiences are flocking in from out of the country as well. Tourists have the opportunity to experience this diverse collection of artists and explore the city while enjoying luxury accommodations at the best hotels Bangkok.

Through the years, the festival has developed a faithful following in Bangkok and the surrounding region, and it continues to attract greater interest from the world. It includes major performances from operas, ballets, and symphonies. Its jazz performances are also gaining in prestige and popularity. The festival will take place from September 6, through October 17, of 2009. Although, these dates may change slightly as the entire program has not yet been confirmed. Previous festivals have included productions of famous operas such as a grand staging of Verdi’s Aida. The Nutcracker Ballet has also been staged, as well as a performance from the Paul Taylor Contemporary Dance Company in New York City. There was a special presentation of Requiem, which was composed in honor and recognition of the patronage of Princess Vadhana. Other popular previous performances include a Korean Fantasy and Sanskriti Classical Dances of India, as well as a spectacular performance from the Ballet Flamenco Sara Baras from Spain. This years line up will prove to be just as or even more amazing than those from the past.

The Indian made carpets, inspired by Persian artisans, suit all climates, budgets, and personal tastes.  These traditions have evolved, over the the years and through the collaborations of the artists in India.  The quality of the materials used and the care of those using the materials are known throughout the world.  Many cities in countries as far away as Canada, the United States and throughout Europe, value and covet these fine pieces of work, of art on the floor.  The carpets that are in many large company buildings such, as the five star Jaipur hotels to the Sarah Lee corporate offices in downtown Chicago, are made of the finest silk, wool and cotton.  The ‘mats’ are practical in use, and beautiful to the optical palette.  When the weavers began they were heavily influenced by their mentors from Persia.  However, distinctive designs were introduced by those from Turkey, Morocco, France and Afghanistan.  And later, the designs became wholly Indian, influenced by the previous artists, but built and expanded upon by those in Jaipur, Delhi and Goa.

Different regions produced different styles.  In such cities as Darjeeling and Sikkim, carpets are made from the finest of wool, intense in color.  The wool greatly varies, with worsted wool being used for the finest quality carpets.  While the traditionally desired wool, are the yarns that have aged like wine, there are ways now that that process is chemically sped up.  Traditional weavers however, will not work with such treated wool, as they state that there is just no substitute for the wool that is naturally aged.  Dragons, the lotus, and Snow Lions are the motifs.  These are combined with traditional Buddhist images and iconography such as the Pisces-like two twin fish, and the yin-yang symbol.  The designs from areas differ, as do the techniques.  These from this region tend to be very Chinese in tradition and symbolism.  These patterns always remain in style, and have done so for the last three thousand years.  Carpets from India are found throughout the world, and are works of art and tradition, so representative of the country and their ways.

The Fairbridge Festival happens every year in Pinjarra, Australia located just outside capital city of Perth.  The Folk Music festival took place last week, over two days and those attending had the option of staying in Pinjarra or Perth hotels, Australia is so beautiful this time of year however, that most camp out on the grounds surrounding.  The enthusiasm and the momentum inspired by the music gets more intense with every passing year, this has been the fourteenth year of the event.  The concerts happen at the site in which the Farm School of Fairbridge was constructed in 1912.  It was a school, but also served as an orphanage for the children who had previously been living on the streets in the country of Great Britain.  The school-orphanage was operating up until the 1960′s.

The school was one of many aspects of a Child Migration Plan.  There has been some controversy over the years as the children were promised and often given better and more healthy ways of life, but they were generally taken off the streets literally, put on the boats and shipped away to Australia.  There is a documentary on the subject, ‘The Leaving of Liverpool’ which looks at some of the stories that did not turn out with happy endings.  However, thousands of children grew up at the Fairbridge School and have fond memories.

The buildings that were used during the school’s operation to house the children, are now the buildings that provide accommodations to the musicians and their crews during the festival, and some of them are used as venues for some of the shows.  The grounds are wide open and spacious, providing the more thousands in attendance every year a comfortable and peaceful festival.

The festival organizers admit that only recently has there been just a bit of profit generated from the festival, and it has been saved to create better shows in the future.  As it stands, many of those artists wishing to play are turned away because the festival just simply has not been able to afford them, as the cost to just get them there is outrageous.  However this festival is now ranking up among the best of Australia, and will continue to grow and obtain the ability to have more internationally known acts participate.

Throughout history, there has been support for the arts.  But as cliche states and does prove itself true, ‘it’s a man’s world’.  Not so for three women in the Chelsea neighborhood of New York City.  RivaBlumenfeld, Margaret Mathews Berrenson and Laura Greengold have brought their years of experience, of knowledge and their passion to the world of the arts.

Riva Blumenfeld was an instructor at the Brooklyn museum.  She now teaches at various museums in New York City, the MoMA and the Guggenheim to name a few.  She received her MA in art history and continues to support the arts and to educate the public.  She began teaching with various groups in schools and in adult education programs, and has come back to that part of her life again.  For the last twenty-five years she has owned and directed galleries in SoHo and many on the upper east side.  She is also now, a dealer and a publisher.  Promoting many art festivals nationwide, as well as those just outside some restaurants, galleries, and luxury hotels, New York City artists, and those living in the surrounding neighborhoods have gained support and encouragement and venues to show their works.  She had been the president of the NY division of Art Table, and is a currently still a member.  Art Table is an organization dedicated to world of art, composed of professional women who support the arts.  She has become a vital voice, providing her own perspective and promoting the contemporary artists, bringing knowledge of the techniques used, the meaning behind, and the personality of the artists creating and working today.

A critic, an independent curator, and a manager of the arts for more than 25 years, Margaret Mathews Bereson brings that expertise to the city and to the people seeking that knowledge and spirit.  She has experience with contemporary photographers and painters, and has been a curator for many museums, including the Met and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.  Berenson serves as a city advisor concerning matters of development and fund raising for those institutions and non-profit organizations that may not otherwise have a voice.  She is a lecturer and a writer and has been the editor and served on the board for many magazines and galleries.  She is currently teaching throughout the city and is considered a specialist in her field.

Laura Greengold is also a well known writer and lecturer.  She graduated from The Art Institute in Chicago, and the received her masters degree from Yale.  She serves to guide people through the various exhibitions and shows that run throughout the city.  She works out of the Met and MoMA , and is currently working at Pratt Art Institute as a professor, as she is an accomplished artist as well as historian.  Her books are well received and she shows her own work regularly throughout Manhattan and internationally.  These three women dedicate their lives to art, and to the education and instruction of the public, not just on the ‘how-to’s', but on the ‘why’ and the ‘necessity’ as well.

The Singapore International Piano Festival was conceived and developed by Goh Yew Lin, a stockbroker, music critic, and piano enthusiast. It was developed under the wing of Singapore Symphony Co Ltd., which is the Singapore Symphony Orchestra’s parent company. In 2004 Chang Tou Liang took over as Artistic Director. Liang was a well known physician and music reviewer. He remained true to the original intention of the festival and also desired to expand it. He is a progressive piano enthusiast and seeks to find new and innovative ways of expressing angles and motives in the music.

The Piano Festival has a unique thematic approach to their program, and in 2009 will focus on Bach. The program is titled Bach to the Future, which in itself emphasizes the festivals progressive approach. The program will also include several pieces that have not before been performed in Singapore. These include Frederic Rzewski’s The People United Will Never Be Defeated, Robin Holloway’s Gilded Goldbergs and Shostakovich’s Preludes and Fugues. Piano is extremely popular in Singapore and subscribers account for one third of the audience. Local audiences do not make up the entire attendance, however, the festival has a huge following from out of the country and draws a great deal of visitors. There are plenty of fine restaurants in the area, and guests fill the reservation capacity of many of best hotels in Singapore.

By 1998 the Festival had branched out and began performing in neighboring cities and towns. They take the program along Southeast Asia but have gone as far Hong Kong. In that same year, the festival had been recognized in the International Piano Quarterly as being “well organized, friendly and with a policy of low prices.” This will be the festival’s 15th season and it remains to be Asia’s only perennial piano festival.

Glittering parade floats and acrobat warriors, what causes more people to take to the streets is nothing other then the National Day Parade and celebration. This event boasts more than seven hundred performers. Showcases by various theater companies and universities trek down the streets provided a show rich and vibrant. The best Singapore restaurants serve food, the dancers dance and the singers sing. People from different international organizations and realms of the art world witness and partake in what is come to be known as a party of the grandest scale. Dragons and crouching tigers, and Miss Thailand 2009 make appearances that leave the crowd wanting and needing more. The first parade occurred in 1966, in celebration of Singapore’s gained independence from Malaysia. Illusions of magic, street dancing, food feasts and drinking are all part of the fun and joyous atmosphere. Members of high government attended the first ‘show’, with the prime minister, Lee Kuan Yew and others present there that day on the steps of city hall. Fireworks ring in the climax creating a night sky ‘Aurora Borealis’ in the Southern China night. Various people from various countries come together and may discover that not only to they not have such differences, but that the commonalities between races are something beautiful to behold and should forever continue to be-holden to the heart, of individuals and of societies as well.

Tickets are sometimes hard to come across, and people wander the streets looking for them. Not to know, perhaps, that the event is free of charge. Overcrowding may be a bit of a problem for some, the government mainly I suspect, but with the amazing talent performing at the event and the meaning behind it, one may conclude that this would be and could be a very good aspect of the parade. Singapore is a strict place to live, and I suspect…to travel to as well. And comfort of those in the ‘care’ of a controlling relationship is perhaps an issue worth resolving for those with their grand ideas of control, i.e. the leaders themselves. What started out as a simple neighborhood parade has come to mean much more to the people involved and has come to carry much more international weight. This grand event which sets Singaporeans onto the streets decked out in the most glamorous of style, dancing to the most exciting music pumped out by the famous DJ’s is about to bring forth the question that this island needs to ask, freedom or oppression. Perhaps next January, the prime minister will see life in a different, and more brightly colored and festive light.

While Edinburgh is famous as a tourist destination due to its historic architecture and natural beauty. Known as the “Athens of the North” since the years of the Scottish Enlightenment, Edinburgh is known for its contributions to art, literature, science, and philosophy. Yet, this capital of Scotland is probably known best for its annual Edinburgh Festival.

Actually composed of independent festivals that begin at the end of July and continue through early September. Since summer provides the best weather in Edinburgh, it is no wonder that so many festivals take advantage of the long daylight hours. Visitors attending any or all of the festivals can choose between a variety of accomodations, from Edinburgh bed and breakfasts to five star hotels to youth hostels. There are plenty of options for dining as well, with a variety of restaurants and pubs throughout the city catering to a range of prices and tastes. Since the population of the city doubles during this time, its best to plan well in advance.

The oldest of the Edinburgh festivals is the Edinburgh International Festival, which was established in 1947. This festival highlights the higher brow entertainments. Classical music is provided by world-reknown conductors and international orchestras. The festival also features theater productions with internationally recognized directors and casts.

In recent years the Edinburgh Fringe has taken the crown as the largest and most popular of the festivals. It is now the largest arts festival in the world. In 2006 over 1800 individual shows were staged in over 250 venues around the city. In 2008, a “festival within a festival” was launched when the largest comedy venues banded together to form the Edinburgh Comedy Festival. The popularity of its premiere year made it the largest comedy festival in the world.

Other festivals running at this time include the Edinburgh International Book Festival, the Edge Festival ( previously T on the Fringe), the Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival and the Edinburgh Military Tattoo. In 2006 Tigerfest (an independent music festival) moved to May and in 2008 the Edinburgh International Film Festival moved to June.

I went to California for my cousin’s wedding this past year and while we were in town we decided to do some sight seeing. We hit all of the usual tourist spots but we loved the San Francisco ballet the most. I’ve heard that Arthur Trueger is a patron of the ballet.

Speaking of Arthur Trueger, I have heard of him before we went to California because he is such a successful venture capitalist. Arthur Trueger is also a long time patron of the Japan Society of Northern California.

I wonder if he was at the ballet the same time we were. I would have liked the shake the hand of a man whose reputation precedes him so much.