Monthly Archives: March 2016

California’s Sebastopol Apple Blossom Festival is here Again!

Yes, Apple Blossom Festival is turning 70 this year. There are many reasons why people from around the world come all the way to participate and enjoy the festivities. You can also be a part of the fun if you book your tickets now.

California

Here we have jotted down the festival’s main highlights for you.

Parade

The Parade highlights include amazing handmade floats, astonishing animals and colourful displays. Animals with or without drawn vehicle, antique & classic autos, elementary school band, middle and junior high drill team and a lot more will be there to entertain you.

Music

Listen to your favourites, “The Peterson Brothers Band” and “Patrick Sweany” on April, 16th. “Laura Price” show will be held on Sunday, April 17th, 2016. For more details you may check out the official website of the festival.

Exhibitors

The exhibitors span a variety of domains such as food, art and craft, fashion wears, jewellery and home decor furniture to name a few. Each year, The Apple Blossom Festival gets the best from all states. People take part with great zeal and positive approach. Check out the official website for information on exhibitors.

Food and Drink

Enjoy local wines and other drinks as well as a variety of food at the festival. Your favourite Bar B Que Smokehouse, Thai Essence, Top That Yogurt, CaCoCo and Hawaiian Shaved Ice and many more are lined up throughout the fest.

For Kids

Join the Rose Garden for children’s activities on the farm and enjoy a family weekend. There is an animal area along with a McDonald farm. Lots of free activities will be held for kids.

Festival Guide

Visit the Sebastopol Center for the Arts at the Veterans Memorial Building, 282 High Street. The timings for April 16th, Saturday are 10:00AM to 06:00PM, while the timings for April 16th, Sunday are 10:00AM to 05:00PM.

Tickets

Get discount on your advance booking at the Sebastopol Center. You can even book tickets online. The price is $12 for adults and $10 for senior citizens and school students. Two-day pass is available for $20. For children aged 10 and less, entry is free of cost.

Join the Seattle International Children’s Friendship Festival

The International Children’s Friendship Festival is organized by a non-profit organization, ‘Turkish American Cultural Association of Washington’ every year in Seattle.

seattle

The prime focus of the organization is to help children of every community overcome their differences and peacefully live together. So if you are planning to visit Seattle shortly, book your tickets and be a part of this annual cultural festival.

History

The International Children’s Friendship Festival was started by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the organization, who believed that the future and existence of a nation was only possible by investing in its children. To emphasize his belief, he declared April 23rd as Children’s Day which is also the National Sovereignty Day of Turkey.

Programs

The festival promotes cultural exchange and friendship among children around the world. It features performances highlighting the ethnic heritage of the participants. Solo singing and group singing, ballet and folk dances are performed by children to spread the message of unity in diversity. Moreover, the youth and children celebrate their friendship by sharing cultural practices.

Participate

Being a part of the International Children’s Friendship Festival is a fantastic experience for volunteers as well as participants. Children aged 6 to 12 can participate in stage performances and children older than 13 can join as volunteers. It also has a specific area for cultural exhibits, which lets people display their talent in arts and crafts. The participants are selected on first come first serve basis.

Support

You can also support this grand event either by donating or offering sponsorship. A small donation or sponsorship goes a long way in helping this great cultural event promote awareness amidst various ethnic groups in Washington. Volunteers can help in setting up the stage or offer backstage assistance to performers.

When and Where

This year, you can attend the festival at Seattle Center in Washington from April 16th to 17th, between 11:00 am to 05:00 pm. The admission to the event is free for the public. For any further enquiry you can check out its official website or contact the department of TACAWA by filling up a simple form.

Top 5 Places in Philadelphia for Art Connoisseurs

Philadelphia is the perfect place for all those looking forward to explore cultured and stunning works of art. From ancient art to contemporary masterpieces, this destination features art from all parts of the globe.

Philadelphia-Header

Art admirers book your tickets and explore the top museums and art galleries in Philadelphia.

The Barnes Foundation

The Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia is famed for renowned names such as Matisse, Renoir and many others. The foundation displays the largest collections of imitates and copied art. One can see beautiful African and German sculptures and furniture. It is an ideal platform for art connoisseurs. Make sure you book tickets before visiting the place. With the exception of Tuesdays, it remains open throughout the week.

Philadelphia Museum of Art

Philadelphia-Museum-of-Art

Built in the 1870s, the Philadelphia Museum of Art welcomes numerous travelling exhibits each year. The museum showcases more than fifty works of American art and several important collections. It also features the country’s leading private collections of contemporary art and photographs by the finest photographers of the twentieth century.

The Heart of Baltimore Avenue

The Heart of Baltimore Avenue has been redecorating over 3,000 murals of the city. David Guinn, a well-known artist painted many people within the mural to honour the residents he got to know during his stint here. His paintings and art works have been displayed in various galleries and museums, including the University of Arts in Philadelphia.

Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts

The Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts (PAFA) showcases some of the world’s creative art work from up-and-coming artists. The academy also displays books, jewellery, textiles and giftware. Explore America’s arty achievements free of cost. PAFA also provides tools and knowledge to budding artists as well as professionals.

Philadelphia Magic Gardens

The Magic Gardens is a great platform to learn about folk art, the history of South Street and the works of artist Isaiah Zagar. It displays both indoor and outdoor exhibits. The Magic Gardens is closed on Mondays. You can check out its official website for complete information.

The National Folk Festival is all Set to Rock Canberra

The 50th annual event of the National Folk Festival has been announced. So, if you are booking tickets for Canberra, you have all the more reason to rejoice.

Canberra

Canberra by Simon Yeo/ CC BY

Gear up for this vibrant and colourful fiesta of music and dance for the 50th annual event, which will be held from March 24th to 28th, 2016 at the Exhibition Park in Canberra.

About

Customise your entertainment as you can choose from over 600 events and concerts at this festival. An exciting Opening and Closing Concert is part of the festival. You can attend the festival just for a day or even spend five whole days. It’s the 50th year and the National Folk Festival is fascinating the public with more than 200 national and international acts across 18 stages. Themed bars, food and souvenirs stalls, circus performers and street musicians are all ready to rock the party.

Program

The festival features numerous artists on the Australian and International folk-roots music, including a wide range of styles, influences and genres. This year, they are offering a bunch of great choices for every musical taste. This will include workshops celebrating Circus Death Match, amazing Drumming Monkeys and much more.

Performers

You can see a lot of themed presentations, including dance band, poetry, comedy, circus/theatre KidzFest Workshop and Street Dance. Watch live performances by artists such as Acoustic Shock, Andrew Winton and Andy Salvanos.

Tickets

This one of a kind folk festival has a lot of focus upon top-notch music and talent, great entertainment and good times for people of all ages.  Tickets are on sale online. You can even grab early bird 3 tickets; this includes, the hot Box Office Sale for Young Adults (Ages 16-17) for only $100, and (Ages 7-15) for only $30. Kids are admitted for free!

Food and More

Restaurants offer an international buffet spread, while seafood and Australia’s favourite dishes are served at every stall. Drinks and live music will flow at all the indoor and outdoor bars. The celebrations are around the corner, book your tickets soon. If you require any additional information about the event or how to reach there, please visit the official website.

Explore Vietnamese Culture in Hanoi!

There are many interesting things to discover about Vietnamese culture in Hanoi. The deeply calming vibe of Hanoi attracts many tourists. Every time you visit the city, you will find that each gentle street leaves you with fond memories.

vietnam

Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam and the country’s second largest city. Apart from famous cultural and handicraft villages, Hanoi’s culture also finds reflection in folk performances and extremely good food. We recommend some of the top attractions for a Vietnamese cultural tour in Hanoi.

Temple of Literature

The Temple of Literature is often cited as one of Hanoi’s most picturesque tourist attractions. The building is well preserved with superb examples of traditional-style Vietnamese architecture. This ancient site boasts the Well of Heavenly Clarity, turtle steles, pavilions, courtyards and passageways that were once used by the royalty. Also, there are historical buildings from the Ly and Tran dynasties.

The Perfume Pagoda

The Perfume Pagoda, known locally as Chua Huong or ‘Inner Temple’, is at the centre of a very revered and sacred site. It features a maze of mainly Buddhist temples built into the limestone cliffs of Huong Tich. In the heart of this complex lies the Perfume Temple or Perfume Pagoda. Interestingly, the entrance to the vast and mysterious Perfume Pagoda and Huong Tich Cave resembles a dragon’s open mouth.

Hoan Kiem Lake (Turtle Lake)

Hoan Kiem Lake (Turtle Lake) is a central feature of Hanoi, popular as a hangout spot among locals and tourists. Ngoc Son Temple sits on a small island in the centre of a lake providing a beautiful background for clicking photos. Around sunset, this area becomes especially busy with joggers and couples enjoying relaxing views across the lake.

Water Puppet Theatre

The ancient art form of water puppetry has a long association with Hanoi. Thang Long Puppet Theatre is one of the several theatres where guests can enjoy Vietnam’s unique take on Asia’s puppet tradition. It is the original and one of the best theatres in town. Puppets dance and slide elegantly over the liquid stage, controlled by a whole troupe of puppeteers hiding behind a screen.

Top 5 April Festivals in Atlanta, Georgia 2016

Atlanta, one of the friendliest and most happening cities in the US, entertains tourists and locals alike with a slew of live music events, plays and a lot more.

Georgia

Besides, the people here celebrate various events and festivals with great enthusiasm and energy. If you are planning to book your tickets to the destination, you would perhaps like to know about the upcoming festivals of Atlanta.

Atlanta Dogwood Festival

From April 8th to 10th, The Atlanta Dogwood will celebrate the bloom of its native dogwood trees. One can enjoy live music, art and crafts, food and other activities. Another highlight of this festival is the ‘U.S. Disc Dog Southern Nationals’. It is a famous disc dog competition, where dogs and their owners play flying disc games. You can watch all this for free.

Georgia Renaissance Festival

The Georgia Renaissance Festival is considered as one of the top 20 events in the South-Eastern United States. You can attend this festival from April 16th to June 5th, 2016. It offers guests an array of activities, ranging from jousting tournaments to glass-blowing demonstrations and sword-swallowing shows. You can see numerous performers in action such as acrobats, jugglers, magicians, and dancers.

INMAN PARK FESTIVAL

The Inman Park Festival in Atlanta is one of the most colourful celebrations. The festival highlights include a popular street market featuring local art, children’s performances, live music and dance.  It is now celebrated at various places in Atlanta, and thousands gather each year to witness the beauty of the Inman Park Festival. You can witness the action at any of the venues from April, 30th to May 1st, 2016.

Taste & Sound of Woodstock

If you are in Atlanta, don’t miss the 6th Annual Taste & Sound of Woodstock presented by Main Street Woodstock on Saturday April 23rd, 2016 at the Historic Downtown Woodstock. You can taste delicious food from the best of restaurants in the area while students of Woodstock High School will entertain you with live band performances. Furthermore, interactive cooking demos will present valuable cooking tips to the guests.

Top Attractions in Stunning Al Ain, UAE

Located just one and a half hour from Abu Dhabi, Al Ain waits to enchant you at every step. Reputed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it promises numerous picturesque vistas of natural beauty, wildlife and forts.

uae

One of the oldest permanently colonised settlements in the world, this mesmerising place will fill your heart with delight. So, come and explore the best of Al Ain.

Al Ain Zoo

Visit Al Ain Zoo to capture alluring moments with wildlife. From endemic mammals like Oryx and Arabian antelope to African gazelles and big cats such as tigers, pumas and lions, the zoo is popular as a home to a range of animals. Established in 1969, the zoo is an interesting place to explore.

Sheikh Zayed Palace Museum

The former home of UAE’s first president, Sheikh Zayed Palace Museum reveals the richness of history and culture. Meticulously restored, the palace reflects the style and essence of the place from the time when Sheikh Zayed lived there. Visit to get an idea of the life of the Sheikh.

Al Jahili Fort

Al Jahili Fort is a popular attraction, especially amongst history buffs. The fascinating fortress was built in the 1890s for the UAE’s founder, Sheikh Zayed. It was further expanded by the British in the 1950s. Come to marvel at the grandeur and royal appeal of the fort. Also, don’t miss to peek into the exhibition of photographs. The beautiful moments were captured by British explorer Sir Wilfred Thesiger in the 1940s.

Al Ain National Museum

Come here for a glimpse into the everyday life of the UAE’s people at the ethnographic section. From traditional clothes and musical instruments to Bedouin jewellery, Al Ain National Museum exhibits it all. The Grand Hili Tomb and finely restored traditional majlis are very popular here. You will get to know a lot about the ancient past of Al Ain. It is worth mentioning that the museum has a large collection pertaining to the ruling family of Sheikh Zayed.

Most Popular Cultural Festivals in Vancouver, Canada!

Vancouver is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Admired for its spectacular sights, attractions, and outstanding entertainment, the city is highly popular among travellers.

vancouver

Moreover, Vancouver celebrates a number of exciting events and festivals. Here we have narrowed down a few top cultural events.

Eastside Culture Crawl

Eastside Culture Crawl’ is organized to educate people and boost their interest in visual arts through exhibitions, presentations and displays. More than 250 new comers and professional artists display their works. One can view and even purchase the fabulous art work pieces exclusively designed by potters, photographers and furniture makers.

The Folk Musical Festival

Vancouver celebrates ‘The Folk Musical Festival’ in July at Jericho Beach, where local as well as global artists perform together on one stage. This three day festival attracts a large crowd, especially the tourists staying in the city. There is another highlight, which may well change your approach towards folk music and cultural fest. It is ‘The Little Folks Village’, which is set up inside the venue where you can enjoy craft-making, singing, face-painting and story-telling sessions.

The Vancouver Writers Fest

The Vancouver Writers Fest brings people together to share their thoughts, and participate in intellectual conversations. Since 29 years, the Writers Fest has inspired thousands of lives by creating a medium for authors to connect with readers and by contributing an excellent swap over of ideas. We recommend, one should not miss this festival of stories narrated by authors, poets, and novelists.

The PuSh International Performing Arts Festival

The PuSh International Performing Arts Festival presents innovative work in the field of live performing arts. Every January, for three weeks, the festival is organized together with acclaimed global and local artists who inspire viewers as well as new artists and create productive relationships between artists and the general public around the globe.

Artswells Festival

The four day Artswells Festival has always been a favourite event amongst locals and tourists alike. From across the country, artists travel to this little mountain town of Vancouver to participate in this inspiring association. One can see more than 100 musical performances on 12 stages, including folk, hip-hop, pop, and last but not the least, jazz.

Top Attractions in Jonker Street, Malacca in Malaysia

Jonker Street, nestled in the heart of Chinatown, allures tourists with its flamboyance and charm. Once famous for antique shops, the street has gone on to become one of the most popular attractions in Malaysia.

malaysia

This street is full of shops, temples, restaurants and various attractions. Some attractions are worth mentioning here.

Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum

This impeccably arranged structure resembles the conventional 19th century residence of Baba Nyonya. One of the landmark destinations among tourists, the museum highlights the traditions and culture of Baba Nnyonya as well as the Chinese- Palladian style townhouses.

Cheng Hoon Teng Temple

The world famous and oldest shrine in Malaysia, Cheng Hoon Teng Temple upholds the ideologies of three religions; Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism. Delineated as Merciful Cloud Temple, it was built in the year 1646. People come here to worship the Goddess of Mercy, Kuan Yin. Also, the shrine is located close to Sri Pogyatha Vinoyagar, the famous Hindu Temple.

Jonker Walk Night Market

An unexpected side of Jonker Street can be witnessed at Jonker Walk Night Market. Spreading its charm every Friday and Saturday night, the market is an organised gamut of stalls owned by polite hawkers. Live music and performances add to the party-like charm while shoppers can indulge in some amazing retail-therapy.

Geographer Cafe – Jalan Hang Jebat

A blend of history and the present, Geographer Cafe is set in a pre-war shop house at the corner of the street in Malacca. Loved for its vibrancy and welcoming ambiance, it enjoys a good volume of tourist footfalls. One of the best places for food lovers, this cafe  offers lip-smacking delicacies and drinks, without being too heavy on the pocket.

Xiang Lin Si Temple

Built adjacent to the famous Cheng Hoon Teng Temple, this traditional yet newly constructed shrine practices the principles of Buddhism. Xiang Lin Si Temple is also characterised as Fragrant Forest Temple. A sophisticated shrine with minimal decoration, it is admired as a peaceful place for meditation and worship.

With so much on offer, Jonker Street in Malaysia leaves every tourist with lots of fond memories. One simply can’t resist buying the colourful affordable stuff sold here. Numerous attractions close to the famous street makes it all the more popular.

Merry Times at the NYC Craft Distillers Festival

Get ready to witness the third official NYC Craft Distillers Festival in New York City. On April, 2nd renowned craft distillers as well as spirit lovers will crowd New York City to be a part of this amazing event.

new york city

NYC Craft Distillers Festival will leave everyone delighted. The event will remind you of the pre-prohibition era in New York. You will get the chance to experience the merriment of the jazz band of the 1920s and perhaps also enjoy the fabulous collection of more than 60 varieties of perfectly crafted spirits. Savour the smooth textures and flavours of liquors ranging from whiskey to vodka, beer and many other spirits.

Distillers Diversity

Organised by Craft Hospitality, this speakeasy event will showcase an array of spirits for guests. Meticulously picked brands will grace the event, including Harvest Spirits, Valentine Distilling, Astoria Distilling Co., Cooperstown Distillery, The Manhattan Moonshine Company and Jack from Brooklyn. A splendid range of wines and other spirits will be showcased for guests to taste and enjoy.

Elite Entertainment

Classy entertainment sessions will enthral guests with music and other live performances. Cherish exclusive performances by renowned artists, including Emily Asher, Lady Alchemy, Ida Blue, and Anna Zand. For the convenience of guests, the event is divided in two sessions of entertainment. Interested people can buy tickets to one or both the sessions as per their interests. The Emily Asher’s Garden Party will be held during Session One, whereas Ida Blue and Lady Alchemy will perform in Session Two of the NYC Craft Distillers Festival.

Ticket Tracker

Interested people can buy tickets from the official website of the festival quickly. The ticketing process is powered by Eventbrite and it accepts cards, including American Express, Visa and Mastercard. One can also easily purchase VIP and normal entry tickets.
So, get ready to experience the vibrant and celebratory ambiance of the festival to the core.