Summer Music and Arts Festivals Are Just Around the Corner

For many people in the UK, the onset of spring means only one thing - the advent of the music festival season. From Glastonbury in June to the Reading and Leeds Festivals at the end of August, music festivals play a large part in the British summer experience - regardless of the weather.

Traditionally, the Glastonbury Festival in Somerset has been seen simultaneously as the both the kick-off and the highlight of the summer festival season. As famous for the rivers of mud it attracts during periods of rain as the big names it draws, Glastonbury began in 1970 with 1500 people attending. In contrast, last year's festival - memorably headlined by American rapper Jay-Z - saw over 100,000 people attending, figures that are a testament to how deeply Glastonbury is embedded in the hearts of British music fans.

Other popular festivals featuring rock and electronic acts are spread across the season, with T in the Park in Scotland in July, the V Festival in mid-August and the Reading and Leeds festivals at the end of August. But rock music certainly isn't the only genre to light a fire under festival-goers in the UK. The Cambridge Folk Festival attracts thousands of folk fans from across the world in the serene and beautiful surroundings of Cherry Hinton in Cambridgeshire. This eclectic festival is even older than Glastonbury, having started in 1964.

What's more, the UK is home to some of the globe's most vibrant arts festivals every summer, like the Edinburgh Festival and Fringe in August, and the Brighton Festival and Fringe in May. In fact, the Edinburgh Fringe is the biggest arts festival in the world with over two thousand shows last year spanning theatre, comedy, music and many more genres.

However, with the economic downturn looming large over many people's finances this year, it's possible that a lot of music fans and arts buffs won't quite get to make it to their favourite festivals this year. Tickets for music festivals in particular can run into hundreds of pounds for a whole weekend, while tickets at Fringe events often sell out quickly - especially if they've been receiving good press.

However, the huge technological advances of the last decade mean that it's now easier than ever to make sure you don't miss out on seeing your favourite bands or shows - even if it's from the comfort of your own living room. Rapid developments in digital television mean that highlights from major music festivals and events are increasingly being shown on TV, both recorded and live.

Digital channels are often among the first to screen footage from music festivals and channels with interactive features usually let you choose from a selection of bands to watch. Detailed programmes on arts festivals are often compiled too and can be seen on specialist channels like Sky Arts. What's more, with more and more people choosing HD television, the crystal-clear quality of this format means that your favourite musical groups and performers will seem even more unforgettable.

With such great digital television technology at your fingertips, there's no excuse for you to miss the highlights of the UK's best summer festivals.

5 Best Annual Festivals in Sicily, Italy

Italy has had a strong culture and set of traditions since ancient times and there are a host of beautiful festivals which are celebrated in the beautiful region of Sicily, Italy which are a thrilling experience to be enthralled. We bring you five of the best festivals of the city.

Festa Di Sant'Agata: This festival has been dedicated to St. Agata. During Roman encroachment, St. Agata had refused to give up Christianity while opposing the Romans bitterly. This had led to her execution. Citada remembers her with this festival, which takes place between 3rd to 5th February. The fireworks are a breathtaking sight. A parade also takes place, where millions of people participate, holding large candles in their hands.

Ciclo di Spettacoli Classici: The festival of the Greek Theatre, Ciclo di Spettacoli Classici is held in Syracuse during May and June every year. During this festival, the talented dramatic artists of Italy give their performances at the historic Greek Theatre, which was built around 5th century, B.C.

Taormina Arte Festival: The festival, being conducted at Taormina in July and August is a centre for artistic creations and a hustle bustle of creative activities. This festival includes an assortment of many different art forms, such as dramatics, music, painting and the like. You could also chance upon some of the famous vocalists, at their concert.

Festa di Morgana: This is a rare festival, which is held at Museo Internazionale delle Marionette at the city centre once every year. The date of the festival is not fixed, and it keeps changing every year. So one would have to keep an eye on the museum's website for the dates. This festival is all about puppetry, and it brings together all the famous puppeteers, to present their skills and talents at puppetry. The skill and grace which they portray here is unmatched elsewhere.

International Festival of Underwater Activities, Ustica: This celebration takes place every year in July at Ustica, which is a haven for scuba diving enthusiasts. The island is off the Tyrrhenian shores, known for its volcanoes and underwater scenic beauty. This region is blessed with the most breathtakingly beautiful underwater caves. Divers can explore these bounties of nature, on this day which is dedicated to the wonderful sights that exist under water. The festivals of Sicily are beautiful, just as the place itself!

Festivals at the Beach - Ten Top Events For September, 2008

One of the great aspects of American life is the sheer number and variety of Festivals and Events held throughout the country. These festivals make it easy to combine a day at a fun event with a day at the beach.

Following are my Ten Top Festivals near the beach for September 2008. There are selections here for all four corners of the country along with a selection along one of the Great Lakes.

Bald is Beautiful Convention - Morehead City, NC

The Bald Headed Men of America which is an organization of 35,000 members from 50 states and 39 countries will be having their annual convention on September 13, 2008.

The 26 year old organization hosts clinics and gives awards in a variety of categories. Some of the ones that you may want to enter are the "Most Distinguished Bald Head" or the "Sexiest Bald Head".

Morehead City is in Carteret County where the beaches are marvelous and the water sparkles like crystal.

If you are bald, know someone who is bald or just want to hit the beach, check out this annual event.

2008 RODS & WOODIES CLASSIC CAR SHOW - Encinitas, CA

On September 18th the final show of the year will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 pm.
Historic cars, a historic road and the beach city setting of Encinitas make for a classic American event. The cars will be on display and live music will play in front of the Encinitas Smog on Hwy 101.

Encinitas is a Southern California classic beach town located in San Diego's North County along the Pacific Ocean. When you think of the California beach lifestyle, you are thinking of Encinitas. Stop by and check out the beaches during the day and the cars in the evening.

The Port of Los Angeles Lobster Festival - Los Angeles, CA

Held on September 19, 20 21, this is the world's largest lobster festival. Held 20 minutes south of downtown L.A. this years festival will be flying in over 15 tons of fresh Maine lobster.

Events include a pet parade, pirate camp, magic shows and plenty of live music.

The festival is held in San Pedro near the water and there are plenty of great LA beaches to visit when you're not soaking up the Lobster Festival activities.

La Jolla Rough Water Swim - La Jolla, CA

On September 7th, 2008 the 78th version of America's premier Rough Water Swim will take place. Over 2,000 swimmers compete in a variety of divisions with races ranging from 250 yards for Juniors to 3 miles for the "Gators". Last year swimmers ranged in age from 5 to 85.

This unique event is held right at the beach so you can certainly combine a trip to the great La Jolla and other San Diego beaches with attending the race.

Bizarre Bazaar - Hammond, IN

This unique event on Saturday September 20th offers a wide range of events including a custom car show, canine costume contest, a Symphony Orchestra concert, pie-baking contest and live rock-n-roll.

The event is held in downtown Hammond and is a great activity for adults, children and pets.

When you are in Hammond, visit the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. One of the great prides of the region, this impressive stretch of Lake Michigan shore includes beaches, sand dunes, bog, wetlands, woodland forests, even an 1830's French Canadian homestead and a working 1900 era farm. The park spans the counties of Lake, Porter, and LaPorte and contains approximately 15,000 acres - 2,182 of which are located in the Indiana Dunes State Park

Hollywood Beach Clambake - Hollywood Beach, FL

The 7th Annual 3 day event takes place on September 26th - 28th. This free event is an all American celebration of seafood, live music and entertainment.

The event takes place on the oceanfront Broadwalk. In addition to the live music on 3 stages there will be plenty of other activities along with arts and crafts.

Hollywood Beach is located in sunny Florida between Fort Lauderdale and Miami. Not only are there beautiful beaches right at the event but there are plenty of other beaches to visit when you're not at the Clambake.

11th Annual Punta Gorda Sullivan Street Craft Festival - Punta Gorda, FL

On September 20th and 21st the charming city of Punta Gorda will host this festival. Located along the banks of the Peace River and the Gulf of Mexico, this is a beautiful Florida location.

Charlotte Harbor offers 129 square miles of sparkling water. The temperature of the Gulf water ranges from mid 60s to mid 80s, with soft, mild winds. Waves rarely reach a height of over two feet and roll gently onto the beach. You can often see pelicans, herons, egrets, cormorants, ibis and sea gulls strolling along the waterfront.

Blues at the Beach - Virginia Beach, VA

This free event is held from 9/12-14th at the Beachstreet Pavilion at 17th Street.

This oceanfront venue will come alive with one of the most cherished musical styles of all time. Local and National performers will show their soul and share the Blues.

A great feature of this free festival is the workshops that are offered on Saturday and Sunday and teach participants about the musical techniques involved in playing blues music.

Rod Run to the End of the World - Ocean Park, WA

The 25th Anniversary of this large Hot Rod and Classic Car event will be held on September 6th -7th.

The event is put on by the Beach Barons Car Club and does a great job of bringing hordes of car lovers to the Long Beach Peninsula.

Whenever you're on the Peninsula you aren't far from the beautiful coastline and whether you are driving a classic car or something a bit more modern, it's a great excuse to take a drive along the beach.

Hampton Beach Seafood Festival - Hampton, NH

This event began in 1988 and will be held on September 5-7 this year. With plenty of seafood, live music, arts and crafts and other events this has been rated as "One of the Top 100 Events in North America" by the American Bus Association.

If you're in New England and looking for a great weekend event where you can combine the activity of a festival along with a great beach location, check this outstanding event out.

Events and Arts in New York City

New York City is one of the major global centers of finance, film, music, fashion, and culture. It is amongst the world's most influential cities. It has one of the largest skylines on earth, dominated by the famous Empire State Building.

With summer in full swing, NYC hosts various activities like music festivals, film screenings, and much more.

The Events In New York City Can Be Broadly Classified Into 6 Categories:

1. Annual Events: New York City is the place to do everything, ranging from fashion shows to biking to dancing. Most of the NYC events recur annually. The city hosts several events like New York Boat show, Jewish Film Festival, Three Kings day parade, Lunar New Year parade, New York times art and leisure weekend, Chinese New Year and so forth.
2. Broadway: Here you can learn which musicals and plays have received awards, and then choose to see the award winning productions yourself, according to the schedules.
3. Off Broadway: Tickets for the top shows in the city are available here.
4. Museums And Galleries: Explore intimate exhibition spaces and famous cultural institutions for the artistic culture.
5. Music And Dance Shows: This tells you about the list of performances all over the New York City, like opera, jazz, ballet, rock, and hip-hop.
6. Sports: Know about the season's best sporting events and about your favorite teams, as New York City has teams in all major sports like baseball, tennis, and the like.

NYC Events diary is full of concerts, plays, shows, parades, city walks, poetry, jazz, yoga, films, theatre, and lots more.

If you have never been to New York, you may find it an overwhelming city to visit. The information provided by NYC guide helps with the resources to go around, and makes you feel at home.

Traffic and crowds can make even the most pleasurable experience a daunting task. A NYC travel guide offers all the information required by a visitor, featuring the list of hotels, museums, shopping places, maps, events, bars, and so on.

New York City Consists Of Five Boroughs. Each Borough Has A Unique Culture. They Are:

1. Brooklyn -This one is the most popular borough, and is located at south and east of Manhattan. Brooklyn is known for its music venues, artists, and beaches.
2. Queens- This is the home of 2 international airports, and the U.S Open tennis academy. More than 140 languages are spoken here and it can be called as the world's most ethnically diverse region.
3. Manhattan- Home to the famous Central Park, Empire State Building, Wall Street, Harlem, and many such places.
4. The Bronx-This is located in the north of Manhattan, and has the Bronx zoo, and The Botanical gardens.
5. Staten Island- This is a very large island in the NYC Harbor, with a suburban character.

NYC events offer free things to do; free entertainment, lot of surprises to entertain and excite you.

Do not miss the opportunity that NYC travel provides, as the NYC events diary is abuzz with so much culture to last you more than a lifetime.

What Is the Pittsburgh Three Rivers Arts Festival?

Every summer, the Cultural District in Pittsburgh, PA fills with music and art lovers alike for The Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival. This festival brings in thousands of artists and visitors offering free admission to most events like concerts, art showings and events for the entire family. The fair is spread out over Point State Park and Hertz Gateway Center and the whole city comes to join in the festivities.

The Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival is ten days of music, arts and events celebrating Pittsburgh's deep cultural roots. Deep in the city along the Ohio River, local businesses will be preparing to host visitors and vendors alike. Downtown Pittsburgh has more to offer than just a festival, the cultural district sits right in the heart of the city with restaurants, hotels and museums that are rich in Pittsburgh's history. The festival trails along Point State Park, a large area within the city, walking distance to everything downtown.

On the south side of the park there is a long stretch of local and national artists with their work on display. Artists can purchase a booth and sell their works but the quality of the art has to be high. Before an artist can register for a booth, it is judged to be sure it's of the highest quality, and then they are invited to participate.

There has also been an exciting addition to the festival, recently the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra rejoined the festival after a lengthy time of not participating. The Orchestra last preformed at the Festival in 1977 and was one of the main musical attractions since it joined in 1965. After being absent for more than 30 years, Dollar Bank and Peoples Natural Gas have returned them to the show for a special, free to the public concert in Point State Park.

The concert is being sponsored in part by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra musicians. The company made the decision to share in the fees associated with bringing them back to the festival because they felt it was an important part of the musical and cultural line-up. They are excited to return to a culturally rich event where all music and arts venues are celebrated.

Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Music Director Manfred Honeck is the conductor of the concert which will open with Leonard Bernstein's Overture to Candide and Beethoven's Symphony No. 5, followed by works by Johann Strauss Jr., Hummel, Khachaturian, Shostakovich and Dvorak. The concert will conclude with Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture. The featured soloist will be Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra's principal trumpeter George Vosburgh. This talented group is world renowned and very rarely does a performance of this caliber come at such a low cost to the public.

The Best Fort Greene Festivals

Once the weather warms up, there's nothing better than getting out and enjoying your neighborhood whether it's sitting outside at your favorite bistro or partaking in a local festival. One of the best areas to enjoy some local flavor is Brooklyn, home to some of the boroughs most eclectic festivals.

Celebrate Diversity

The Fort Greene Festival takes place yearly in Fort Greene Park and celebrates the cultures, cuisine, and artistic diversity of Brooklyn. There's something for everyone including music, film, food, shopping. The Festival was created to promote the art, soul, and future of Brooklyn and is a great way to learn more about this eclectic neighborhood. It's also a great reason to get out of your condo or apartment for a day in the sun!

Funk and Soul

Forget singing in the shower in your apartment! For the music lover, the Soul Summit Music Festival is a must-see. The festival is an ongoing event that takes place in Fort Greene Park on Sunday afternoons, 3:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. from the second Sunday in July through the last week in August. The festival is always free, open to the public and showcases artists of various backgrounds including DJs, live bands, dance companies, fashion designers, filmmakers and photographers.

For the Art Adventurist

The Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) is America's oldest continuously operating performing arts center and produces over 200 performances a year. In addition to their commitment to the arts, BAM is deeply rooted in the community and strives to integrate the arts into Fort Greene. BAM's Next Wave Festival is dedicated to showcasing emerging artists alongside modern masters, providing adventurous art for adventurous audiences.

A Literary Celebration

Looking to hear the words from the next great author? Then put that old magazine down and head out of your apartment or condo and over to the Fort Greene Park Summer Literary Festival. Held during the summer, this six week outdoor creative writing workshop is geared towards young writers ages 7 to 17 and culminates in an annual free outdoor reading in the park. This event brings several generations of writers together to build on the rich literary traditions of the neighborhoods surrounding the beautiful Fort Greene Park.

Whether you're looking to hear some great music, see some innovative performance art or discover a young writing talent, Fort Greene has the festival for you! This neighborhood is rich with culture and provides visitors and residents with the perfect afternoon in the fresh air!

Celebrate Nashville All Year Round - Music City Annual Festivals

When you choose to visit Nashville for your vacation, it won't matter which month you decide to reserve a room. Music City is perpetually hopping with seasonal festivals and events that celebrate the best of the region: food, music, and fun! If you plan ahead, you can join in with the locals and see the city at its most vibrant.

What's happening this year and beyond in Nashville. Here's a shortlist of some of our favorite annual festivals, many of which are free to the public and feature the finest in Southern art, culture, and cusine.

Tennessee State Fair: Held annually in September, the official state fair gathers the best of everything that defines Tennessee. Discover homespun fun and agricultural achievements from Nashville to Memphis. Kids will enjoy the rides and games, and just about everybody comes around to watch the popular Krystal hamburger eating contest - it has nothing on Nathan's annual pigout!

CMA Music Festival: Imagine every single country music superstar on the charts today, and chances are you'll find most of them performing at this summer celebration. From top acts like Alan Jackson to up and coming stars, this three day party sponsored by the Country Music Association fills the city with classic and contemporary songs. Highlights of concert footage are also aired on national television.

Celebration of Cultures: No other event in town represents the diversity of Nashville better than the annual Celebration of Cultures, held usually in October. Visitors can browse hundreds of art and craft vendors representing nations of the food, and delicious ethnic cuisines leave mouths watering.

Bluegrass Fan Fest: Sure, Kentucky is known as the Bluegrass State, but in October Nashville is the place to be to hear the best bluegrass artists from around the country gather for a huge jam session. If you're fan of this folksy blend of music native to the region, you can't miss this event!

The finest masters of country music, art, and agriculture converge on Nashville regularly to display their talents. Don't wait to plan your visit if you want to attend a specific event - they are all so popular that accommodations fill up quickly.

Music Festivals in Miami - What Are the Keys to Success?

Many have tried, but most have failed. In a city as rich with culture and music as Miami, why do the music festivals that should be launching the careers of our talented musicians fail so miserably? In the recent months, both the Future Classic Festival and Miami Music Festival made attempts to promote local talent and give them great amounts of exposure, but in the end, complaints were all that were heard, both by the musicians and the concertgoers.

On September 12th of this past year, the Future Classic Festival arrived at Soho Studios in the Wynwood district of Miami. Hours upon hours of the best local music and art were promised, and an amazing headliner, N.E.R.D. even performed. For a very reasonable $25, all of this could be yours...unless you wanted to hear all of the bands listed on the bill and wanted to be able to enjoy the music. Among others, Miami favorites Afrobeta and MAYDAY!, were bumped from the concert completely. Because the show started very late, and N.E.R.D. went on close to their scheduled time, these acts never even got to perform. Furthermore, the sound system left something to be desired; it made typically wonderful music sound like teenagers playing in their parents' garages. The musicians were reportedly treated very poorly, as they were not even offered water or any other refreshments on this sweltering Miami night.

Over the weekend of December 10th through the 12th, Miami Music Festival came to various locations throughout downtown Miami. This time, the promoters promised 25 stages of Miami's best music for $10 for a day pass to each venue, $25 for an unlimited day pass, or $50 for a full weekend pass. Similarly to the Future Classic Festival, the musicians were not treated well. On top of having to pay $35 to submit an audition tape, the musicians were not paid, had to pay to park, and were unable to have a guest list to bring friends or family members. The festival was not well promoted, and many of the venues had pitifully few attendees.

Both of these events should have been smashing successes, but why did they come up short? Are the people of Miami unwilling to support local musicians? I do not believe so. Each weekend, Miami music lovers fill the bars and clubs in anticipation of their favorite musicians. Were the prices too high to attract people unfamiliar with the local Miami music scene? This may have deterred a few potential concertgoers, but certainly cannot be the entire problem.

Is it a general disregard for the well-being of the musicians and artists? Are the promoters most concerned with spending as little money as possible? Are some of Miami's musicians turned off by the hustle and bustle of these festivals and prefer to organize their own smaller, more intimate shows? That remains to be seen, and I am sure that it varies from band to band. Is it simply a lack of organization and preparation? If the organizers and promoters of these festivals spent just a little more time and attention to details (and the musicians), would they had better results?

This article is not meant to completely blast the organizers and promoters of the Future Classic Festival and the Miami Music Festival, but to start a discussion about how they could be improved for the future. Both of these events could have (should have?) united hundreds of Miami's residents in appreciating what we have in this beautiful city of ours. Miami is a dynamic and vibrant city with amazing local talent, but if these musicians and artists continue to be under-appreciated, what is preventing them from stopping what they are doing or even leaving Miami to pursue their careers elsewhere?

Shantiniketan And Its Festivities: An Unparellel Cultural Heritage Appealing To The World!

"Sujalang Sufalang Malayaja Sheetalang Shashyashyamalang Mataram, Bande Mataram."

The magical surroundings of our dear motherland India, consisting of the glorious seas and Bays, the desolate deserts, the opulent palaces and marvelous "havelis", the surreal mountains and lakes, is a splendid legendary land with exuberant folk-culture, rich artistry and spectacular festivities adored and admired by the entire globe.

The wanderlust of the Bengalis is phenomenal in nature and speaks volumes of the quest of the eternal Bengali soul for romance, chivalry, and adventure as well as for exploring Mother Nature's marvels and the history and cultural heritage of the diverse parts of the globe. Always teeming with vibrancy, joy and friendliness, we form a very significant part of the globetrotting generation, always ready to soar greater heights and touch the glory of the world.

Our good old Bengal, does, by no means, lag behind in the tourism industry of India. With its enchanting natural beauty, its magnificence of cultural expressions and multi-hued festivities that together work towards blending the marvels of modernity and the rich harvests of tradition, Bengal, along with the entire eastern zone of India is an exquisite destination that tourists all over India will cherish for a lifetime.

Shantiniketan:
In the proverbial "red soil" and sublime ambience of Bolpur, Birbhum District of West Bengal, stands the historic Shantiniketan, Gurudev Tagore's heavenly abode of peace, an immensely rich and culturally stimulating experience for every tourist who would like to bask in the glory and essence of Bengal's creativity and intellectualism.

Places of Tourist attention:

Kalabhavan: The Kalabhavan is the nucleus and cultural essence of Tagore's Shantiniketan. Founded by the fertile hands of this great soul of Bengal, Kalabhavan is a unique institution where traditional art and culture is taught, preached, exhibited and worshipped to the whole of the world.

Exhibits: Murals and frescos of Binod Behari Mukherjee, Somnath Hore's Sculptures and lots of others.

Khoyai-Deer Park- the most exotic forest area of the Shantiniketan, the Khoyai Deer Park is every tourist's delight, with its lush green surroundings and adorable species of deer roaming around with pristine innocence.

Sriniketan: a world-renowned haven of leather and handicraft specialties including "Batik" art that evolved from that particular historical place.

In Bhuvandanga, just adjacent to the much-hyped Shriniketan, another very historically stimulating experience is awaiting to be unfolded by you. It is here that you will get to see the prodigious banyan Tree where Maharshi Debendranath Tagore used to meditate and philosophize-the legendary lush green surroundings is named "Chhatimtala."

Upasana Kakshya: The famous alter of worship that the eternal pride of every Bengali soul Rabindranath Tagore used to reside upon early at dawn at the time of his prayers to the almighty along with all inhabitants of the Ashram of Shantiniketan.
Amrakunja: The surreal vicinity of the heavenly orchards of "Amrakunja"---a very famous tourist attraction for the loners and lovers throughout the world.

Kalor Dokan: It is a typical food-hub running very successfully straight from the times of Tagore as an Asramite.Comprising of several Bengali delicacies, "Kalor dokan", as it is known by (it is proverbial for the typical Bengali fruit "Kalo Jam"), carries the spiritual remnants of Tagore and his times.

The festivities of Shantiniketan:

Poush Mela: The Poush Mela, held amidst the freezing winter of December, is a notable amalgamation of the diverse cultural sects of Bengal. It is this festival that incorporates all the"Bauls"(nomadic singers famous for their bohemianism and philosophical chantings) from numerous parts of the state.

Nandan Mela: Art and sculpture fest celebrated every year immediately after the Poush Mela.It is a gala celebration time for art-lovers from every part of India as well as abroad when legendary as well as contemporary artists and sculptors of India come together under one single platform and showcase their creations to the national and international tourists.

Basanta Utsav:

The lovely springs charm the minds of the students of Viswa Bharati University, Shantiniketan, when they cherish the vibrant "Dol Utsav" or "BasantaUtsav", as it is popularly known in Shantiniketan, amidst colours, gaiety, frolic, and, not to forget, its enchanting music. Tourists from all over the globe come to witness that spectacular festivity of spring called Basanta Utsav that has now been a trademark of Shantiniketan and its cultural legacy.

Pochishe Baishakh:

The spectacular birth-anniversary of Gurudev or "Robi Thakur", as he is popularly known in Shantiniketan, is celebrated with remarkable pomp and grandeur in Shantiniketan. Artists, poets, writers, art-connoisseurs and intellectuals from the whole of Bengal assemble in Biswa Bharati to commemorate the auspicious occasion of the birth of the holy poet, writer and philosopher of the globe. With its music, melody, and cultural ambience-Pochishe Basisakh (the 25th date of the first month of the Bengali Calendar) is a rare carnival that the people of the entire Bengal boast of as a rich cultural and spiritual experience.

Baishey Shravan:

The death-anniversary of Tagore, Viswa-Bharati's spiritual father, like his birth-anniversary, is celebrated remarkably in the whole of Shantiniketan, though it is observed in apparently somber tones.

With flowers, bouquettes and music, the Ashramites pay their soulful tribute to the deceased soul of their dear Gurudev and pray to the Almighty so that his soul rests in peace forever in the Divine Abode.

Toronto - A Treasure Of Museums And Art Galleries

Toronto has a plethora of museums and art galleries. You will never be short of choices to explore its exhibits, making the city a year-round destination. Famous museums include the Royal Ontario Museum where you can see millions of Egyptian and Native American artifacts. The Museum of Television provides a mesmerizing insight into the revolutionary phenomenon of television. Toronto's Bata shoe Museum is a must for any shoe-enthusiast.

Check on for best airfare deals to visit an amazing cultural center for the arts. The city features many annual festivals and events throughout the year. Its arts community attracts people from all over the world and has top theater groups, galleries, and other high culture attractions.

The land's cosmopolitan atmosphere is reflected in its cuisine, with numerous cooking styles from all over the world. There is a whole host of restaurants enhanced by their ethnic diversity, ranging from the plethora of Asian venues to the lively eateries of Greektown and the upmarket restaurants. The city celebrates its ethnic diversity through numerous food festivals. For a truly thrilling dining experience get on a cheap flight to Toronto and head to the top of the CN Tower and enjoy the delicious cuisine at the revolving restaurant. It allows you to take in the dazzling city views while gorging on delicacies.

The city is home to a number of gardens and parks surrounding vast areas of shoreline, creeks, woodland and local wildlife. Its parks feature many activities ranging from tennis, cycling and swimming to baseball, jogging and softball. With vast areas to enjoy the natural beauty of the city, it offers a wonderful balance of nature and urbanization. The ravine system is one of the distinctive features of the place. It is a network of deep ravines forming an urban forest that runs throughout the city. These ravines are the central character of Toronto. So book your cheap tickets to Toronto to hike in an urban forest.

Toronto has three professional orchestras, including the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Esprit Orchestra and Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra & Chamber Choir, in addition to many chamber ensembles specializing in Baroque, Romantic, Classical, Modern and world music.

The Greater Toronto Area is the center of English Canadian literature, and a list of fiction set in Toronto reveals many titles. Canada's Toronto-based English-language publishing industry comprises McClelland and Stewart and smaller firms like House of Anansi Press, Key Potter Books and Coach House Books.

Check for cheap airfares to the city to attend Luminato, a 10-day festival in the month of June featuring over a thousand local and international artists for theater, dance, music, visual arts, books and film events. Get on a flight to Toronto like British Airways, Air France and attend Caribana, the largest Caribbean festival which is celebrated in the month of July. It attracts more than a million celebrants for the concerts, the food, the popular Caribana Parade and the King and Queen of the Bands competition.

Yarra Valley Events - Healesville Railway Heritage, Cuban Jazz and Other Festivals

Yarra Valley events are not just about wine-tasting affairs and food festivals. The happenings in this spectacular vacation destination in Victoria also involve the country's arts, culture and heritage. Among those that draw locals and tourists alike are the Annual Healesville Railway Heritage Festival, Yarra Valley Open Studios, and jazz concerts.

The Healesville Railway Heritage Festival is a two-day event held every year mainly to showcase the legacy of the Healesville Railway Station, which was the terminal of the Healesville railway line built in 1903. It was recently restored to become the principal station of the Yarra Valley Tourist Railway and is now listed in Heritage Victoria. Displayed during this festival are heritage train rides, steam road engines, vintage cars and trucks, blacksmiths, paper making, and other exhibits taking pride in the area's industry in the early 1900s.

Another entry in the winemaking region's calendar that promotes its heritage is the Run Walk Ride community event. It features the Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail that includes the bridge over the Maroondah Highway and other trail linkages. Participants can choose to run, walk or ride to visit the historic railway stations along the whole 39-km trail. Prizes, giveaways and community activities are prepared for everyone joining.

The Yarra Valley Open Studios, on the other hand, is a venue where artists of the region welcome visitors to view their life and works for two weekends every year. This year, 45 artists will participate in the exhibit. Also, showing the visitors how visual arts and winemaking are perfectly married in this famous vintners' district, the featured event of the year is the group exhibition in the barrel room of Sticks Winery.

In addition, jazz festivals are Yarra Valley events that are always well-attended by both locals and tourists. One of these is the Summer Jazz at Seville Hill, an annual celebration of fine wine and music. The Seville Hill Winery opens its doors to guests who'd like to enjoy jazz, wine and some gourmet dishes and chill out during the warm nights from late September to early April. In addition, Wine Quest's Cuban Jazz is another hit among the glen's guests. Cuban bands, salsa dance lessons, percussions, wine, and food are all set up to create the vineyard vibe at the Rochford Winery. These and more liven up the famous acres of Victoria, especially during the summer.

So, if you're one of those who think that Yarra Valley events are just all wines and food, check out the calendar of this famous region of Victoria for some music, visual arts, heritage, and cultural experiences like no other.

Budapest - The Musical Haven of Central Europe

Budapest is the most beautiful city of central Europe with the Buda Hills to the west and the start of the Great Plain to the east. The architecture keeps up with Mother Nature to give the place many baroque, neoclassical, eclectic and art nouveau buildings to satisfy everyone's appetite. Most of Budapest's monuments and highlights are easy to approach by walking as they have many marked pedestrian zones. A word of advice - don't wear your high heels as the stone pavements especially in the Castle Hill area will make it difficult to walk around.

The place enjoys a temperate climate with spring arriving in early April and summer following it, which makes the place hot and humid. The tourist season sees many airline deals in summer with cheap tickets to Budapest getting picked up fast off the shelf. Late April to end of September is the time when the sun is out for almost 10 hours a day making festivals and functions last longer for all to enjoy.

Every year the festivities kick off with the Budapest Spring Festival, which is a cultural event with a packed program of orchestral and chamber concerts, jazz, contemporary dance, film screenings and much more. It is closely followed by the Titanic Film Festival in April and the Jazztavasz in May for all the film and music lovers to enjoy.

Come June and all flights to Budapest are packed with no chance of cheap plane tickets as the Hey, June! Festivals, Wagner in Budapest Festival, Budapest Dragon Boat Festival all come up one after the other attracting music lovers from across the world to let down their hair and enjoy the performances. The Danube Carnival held June to September is a carnival gala on Margaret Island Open Air Theater and the procession on Chain Bridge, which features hundreds of Hungarian and international musicians and dancers.

Besides the various festivals all through the year one has many things to see and do in the city itself. Parks brimming with attractions, museums filled with treasures, pleasure boats sailing up and down the scenic Danube and Turkish-era thermal baths belching steam make the place alive by day. The nightlife does not lag behind with excellent food and wine being served at most of the various quaint restaurants which stay open till late night.

Budapest is not an expensive place and if one can get a cheap flight to Budapest then you would be saving a lot of money to enjoy this music haven of central Europe even more.

The Edinburgh Festival Galore You Should Not Miss

The Edinburgh Festival does not officially refer to a particular single festival event. Rather, it is a group or series of simultaneous cultural and arts festivals that take place every month of August in Edinburgh, Scotland. The festivals included are organized by several formally unrelated clubs or associations.

The Edinburgh Festival is known to be the world's largest arts and cultural festival, which started in the year 1947, the time when the Edinburgh International Festival (EIF) was founded. That same year, other theatrical companies organized their own events and joined the festivities. Since then, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and many other festivals have been established in this particular Scottish capital city.

Some of the festivals held in Edinburgh every August of the year include the following:

a. The Edinburgh International Festival - It is a performing arts festival in Edinburgh City, Scotland, which starts around mid-August and lasts for more than three weeks.

The General Director of the EIF invites top class performers of theater, dance, opera, and music (especially classical type of music) from all over the world. Aside from the performances on the Festival itself, there is also a range of outreach and education workshops, seminars, and lectures that happen throughout the year.

Common venues for the Edinburgh International Festival are The Hub, the Royal Lyceum Theater, The Queen's Hall, the Festival Theater, the Usher Hall, and The Edinburgh Playhouse, which can house 420 up to 2,900 people.

b. The Edinburgh Festival Fringe - It is renowned as the largest arts festival in the world, which also takes place for three weeks every month of August.

The Fringe includes mostly of performing arts events, especially drama and comedy. However, the music and dance performing arts have the greatest significance. It showcases a vast variety of theatrical events, ranging from the classic works of ancient Greece, Samuel Beckett, and Shakespeare up to the contemporary works of today's artists.

Any type of event is actually possible in this festival, primarily because no committee is set up to review entries for approval/rejection. Oftentimes, the Fringe presents experimental works that other more formal festivals may not include.

c. The Edinburgh Military Tattoo - This event also takes place every year, in the month of August, as part of the famous Edinburgh Festival. The festival features Military tattoos given by the Commonwealth, British Army, and International military teams and bands annually.

Hypothetical History of Music and Wedding Bands

Music is universally accepted and recognised as an art form and medium. But how, when and where it came about is something that is yet to be written about. For purposes of discussion, let us try and construct that history of the origin of music as an art form and medium. As such, the concepts and ideas that will follow will be largely hypothetical. Any parallels and similarities should not, in any way, be construed as actual and real.

Music must have started as hummed tunes to express happiness or in whining sounds to express grief or loneliness. Mothers may have put melodic inflections to hummed sounds or words to make their babies feel the assurance of their presence. These must be the origins of early ditties, love songs, laments and lullabies. Audiences in that and subsequent generations could have improved upon the melodic sound forms into full-blown vocal music that, even in its early form, had the power to stir emotion.

This development could have inspired and stimulated other musically inclined souls to go with the "flow" tapping on kettles, pots and even tables. They could have banged and pounded harder on the table in step as the music sung gained momentum in loudness and tempo. The practice matured and the more inventive artists developed more elaborate "musical instruments" that became standards as they matured in sophistication. That must have spawned the birth of brass, percussion, reed, string and wind musical instruments of later generations.

Music must have purely been a medium of art in the beginning. It was not tainted with commercialism as yet, since man then had yet to discover business or trade. With the "invention" of trade, music also became a commercial commodity as with any other craft, merchandise or profession. As man became more civilised and started to become smarter, he invented conveniences such as money in coins and later, paper bills of legal tender. Bards came into being as musicians who carried information and news in their songs accompanied with skilful plucking and strumming of their mandolins, collecting money from the people they entertained and inspired.

Celebrations of war victories and weddings were supposed to be the first causes and venues for festivities. Singing and dancing were always present amidst floods of mead and wine that enhance the merriment with happy intoxication freeing up the spirit to soar in uninhibited pleasure. That must have spawned the birth of wedding bands.

With all the hypothetical scenarios we have just sketched up, whether it was that way that music was born unto the earth or in whatever manner similar or dissimilar to our description, it is still with immense gratitude that we are able to appreciate and enjoy music as we know it today.

Sedona Arts Festival

Fast forward a few months...autumn is in the air in Sedona, Arizona. The mountains are ablaze with color and the Sedona Arts Festival is in town. Pack your bags and join the merriment that comes from attending the most incredible arts festival in the nation. You may be wondering what this festival entails so you can prepare yourself for two days of culture, Sedona style. Entertainment of the highest caliber is the main ingredient, sprinkled with a large amount of Sedona's finest cuisine. Add a dash of art and you have the recipe for the grandest time.

2009's festival begins October 10th and ends October 11th, two days of pure bliss. Saturday it's open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm and Sunday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Sedona's Red Rock High School is the venue for the entertainment. This is the nineteenth year for the Sedona Arts Festival. The nonprofit festival encourages everyone to come on out and take in the artists' creations. You will find over a hundred art and craft offerings, the artists and craftspeople displaying their creations in tents erected for the festival.

The entertainment has not been set for the 2009 Sedona Arts Festival as of this date, but many are hoping to see some of their favorites from past years. In 2008 Larry Redhouse, The Denise Allen Band, Sarah Vanell, Matt Tener, and the Sedona Jazz on the Rocks Youth Band performed. It is very inspiring to see all the talent that appears at the festival. The youth of today must carry our music forward, and when you attend the Sedona Arts Festival you will know we are in good hands.

Kids are welcome and a special section has been devoted to their activities. They will be able to interact with the artists and find their own artistic outlets using colors, clay and collage, expressing themselves while their parents enjoy the festival.

When it comes to food you will be pleasantly surprised with the cuisine at the Arts Festival. In an effort to give you a wide selection of healthy, fun foods the vendors are chosen wisely. You will be able to enjoy your choices while you sit at umbrella-shaded tables and chairs

Admission for this year's event is a donation of ten dollars per adult. Children under the age of twelve have no donation charge, but must be with an adult. You can get discount coupons by watching for the ads announcing the festival, where adults can save one dollar and senior citizens are treated to two dollars off. Parking is free and so is the shuttle that transports guests to and from the event. No one is left out at festival time as they have ample disabled parking.

The Sedona Arts Festival believes in the continuation of the arts and contributes monies for funding projects, supporting local art programs and scholarships. Many deserving students have been able to pursue a career in Art because of the festival. You are encouraged to stop by the foundations booth for more information or just to say hello and "good job."

Staying at a beautiful hotel or resort in Sedona will complete your weekend getaway. The resorts offer a range of services to make your Arts Festival outing a success. A dip in the pool followed by a massage is the perfect ending to a day of culture. Bring home the most interesting sculptures or hand crafted jewelry. Native American art from the southwestern tribes will enhance the beauty of anyone's home, and a large selection is always available.

The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival

Every year, Californians and music and art enthusiasts around the world get to enjoy Coachella. Coachella is an annual music and arts festival. It is held in Coachella Valley in Indio California. This festival started as a one-day and two-day event. But as of late, it was decided to be a three-day event.

It also used to be that festival-goers can buy tickets as a one-day pass, two-day pass or three-day pass. But now all tickets are sold for the entire three-day event. All throughout these days, live music and art exhibits are simultaneously presented.

Music-lovers get to enjoy different genres of music. There is hip hop, rock, electronic music and so forth. For music fans, they also have the chance to see their favourites up close. This is because each year, Coachella features various artists.

For instance, in 2006, the festival featured Madonna. In 2007, Rage Against the Machine had their reunion performance.In 2003, the festival's headliners drew the biggest crowd to date. The headliners of this year were the reunited Iggy Pop and The Stooges, Red Hot Chili Peppers and The Beastie Boys.

This year, 2010, the lineup will be headlined by Jay-Z, LCD Soundsystem and Them Crooked Vultures. There are also performances by Muse, Gorillaz, Faith No More and so much more. Not to mention the over a hundred music artists. Any Coachella-goer would definitely have a great time.

Compared to the legendary Woodstock, Coachella is relatively new. To date it has only a decade of experience. However, its popularity is snowballing. More and more people are coming in each year. More and more information is also spreading across the globe.

However, music is not the only thing this festival is proud of. For one, it is also an annual art event. Therefore not only do musicians pool during these days but sculptors, painters and others, as well. Gigantic and expressive masterpieces are what dominate the art shows. Thus, art enthusiasts get to have their share of magnificence as well.

There are tents scattered all over the venue. Each holds its own show. There are tents where music is played. People can choose to rock their hearts out to these performances. And there are tents that exhibit sculptural works from contemporary artists as well. Enthusiasts can choose among these tents and they can marvel at the arts all they want.

My Weekend at the Southwest Art Festival

When it comes to the art world and the Coachella Valley, there is no better festival to visit then the Southwest Art Festival which takes place in January each year at the height of the California desert's tourist season.

Last year was my first experience with this event and it is truly an art festival that brings people together to share visions, creations, and dreams. Located in Indio, California at the Empire Polo Club site, the Southwest Art Festival runs for three days from the hours of ten in the morning until five in the afternoon.

The weather in the desert is perfect this time of year for an outdoor event and the Empire Polo Club is the perfect setting to take advantage of the warm winter climate that brought a relaxing comfort with the temperature in the mid - 70's.

Once there on the grounds, my eyes saw art from over 200 artists from all around the country.
The festival spotlights not only Southwest Art, but also contemporary art, a variety of jewelry, traditional art, creative sculpture and pottery. My walk over the lawns of the Empire Polo Club allowed me to rub shoulders with the many artists, who rented canopy tents to shelter the art and guests from the desert sun and elements.

I was encouraged to weave through the rows of art and spend a moment to chat with the artists in the laid back environment. I soon learned that a large draw at the festival each year are the featured artists that grace the Polo Grounds. This included such artists as Jane Seymour and Amado M. Pena Jr. who have featured much of their art at the festival. During this great get-together, I also took in a little entertainment, which included such music as new age tunes, Native American flutes and live bands.

Arriving by car, I was somewhat concerned about parking. But my fears were put to rest with abundant parking on Monroe Street at Avenue 51 as well as valet service for just eight ($8.00) dollars. Tickets into the festival are ten ($10.00) dollars per day or twenty ($20.00) dollars for a three-day pass. I highly recommend the three - day pass which is both economical and convenient since each day brings new art pieces to the forefront. Seniors' tickets are eight ($8.00) dollars and children under the age of 16 are admitted free of charge.

I suggest bringing comfortable walking shoes since the grounds are vast and the area is crowded with sightseeing visitors. Sunscreen and a hat are also recommended, since while the weather is perfect, you will be out in the sun for most of the day.

The Southwest Arts Festival has been going on for more than 20 years and it contributes a significant portion of the city's tourism revenue. It brings people like myself from all over the country to sample the artwork and tickle each person's creative senses.

According to Sunshine Artists, America's Premier Art and Craft Show Magazine, the Southwest Arts Festival is in the top 100 for "Best Predominately Fine Arts and Design Shows" making the Southwest Art Festival one of the top events in the Coachella Valley and a must stop on your next vacation to Palm Springs and the California desert resort cities.