Category Archives: USA

Atlanta’s Top Christmas Events in December 2015

Atlanta is one of those cities in the USA that has become a prominent destination to enjoy splendid Christmas celebrations.

christmas

The city is again ready to kick off the festive month of December with a range of events. Even if you are visiting Atlanta just for a day in December, you get several options to experience the eclectic festive mood at various parties, markets, shows, walks and concerts. Let’s check out a few popular Christmas events in Atlanta.

Garden Lights

Atlanta Botanical Garden will host the annual extravaganza, Garden Lights, from 14th November to 09th January, 2015. Glittering Galaxy, Radiant Rainforest, Tunnel of Light, and Orchestral Orbs are among the attractions that feature a dazzling display of lights. You can admire this captivating show of lights between 5pm and 10pm. Entry tickets for this event are generally classified into two types; Peak Night Admission (Thursday to Sunday) and Non-Peak Night Admission (Monday to Wednesday).

Black Nativity

Theatre lovers must add this event to their itineraries. This theatre performance is based on the Black Nativity written by poet Langston Hughes in 1961. It portrays the African-American perspective of the Nativity story through gospel music, captivating voices and energetic dance. This show is scheduled from 02nd to 20th December, 2015 at Southwest Arts Center Performance Theater and Gallery.

Celtic Christmas

Visit Rialto Center for the Arts at Georgia State University, Atlanta on 19th and 20th December at 8pm and 3pm to enjoy Celtic Christmas. Packed with poetry, dance, mirth and music, this event celebrates the intermingling of various ethnicities such as Scottish, Welsh, Irish, and Appalachian. Tickets for this event are available on the official website of Celtic Christmas.

Peach Drop

Often named as the largest New Year’s Eve in the Southeast, Peach Drop is packed with exclusive live entertainment for adults and a range of activities for kids. New Year’s Eve of 2015 will mark the 26th edition of this notable event where you can enjoy the performances of Ludacris, Symphony Crack Orchestra and Radiolucent. Peachtree Rides and PAC MAN Play Arcade promise a fun-filled New Year’s Eve for families. Underground Atlanta will host this lively extravaganza on 31st December.

Cheap and Delicious Food in New York: 3 Food Joints to Eat More for Less in the Big Apple

It has become a common notion that New York City is very expensive in terms for food. There are many posh restaurants in the city and even your average neighbourhood restaurants are somewhat expensive.

new-york

Yet, New York has some of the best joints serving delicious food in the city. If the cost of those flight tickets have somewhat dented your budget, you may want to know about fine but affordable places for eating out in New York. Well, we recommend 3 places that will satiate your cravings without making you empty your pockets out.

Succulent Samosas at Five Star Punjabi Diner

The love and demand for the Indian cuisine in the US is a well known fact. If you happen to be around the 43rd Avenue at the 21st Street in Long Island City and are famished, the Five Star Punjabi Diner is just the place to satiate your hunger. Their best, the stellar samosas, are the perfect fill-ins after a long trip of sightseeing. The delicate and crisp deep fried envelopes, stuffed with spice infused mashed potatoes, boiled peas, roasted cashews, and coriander and green chillies are just melt-in-the-mouth. The samosas come with a spicy mint coriander sauce and sweet-savoury tamarind chutney. The best part is that the samosas cost just $3 for two!

Pleasing Patties at Blue Collar

Blue Collar is one of the most simple looking food joints, but you need to visit their joint in Havemeyer Street in Brooklyn to taste their heavenly burgers. Some of their most famous items include the Flat Top burger, which has your choice of patty and is pressed on a grill with Martin’s potato roll, American cheese, tomato, lettuce, pickles, a special mayonnaise based sauce and chopped onions. All of this for $4.75! Other items like DBL Burger, Beef Dog, and different types of shakes are just as light on the pocket. All of the thick shakes, including chocolate, vanilla, peanut butter, cookies and cream and Nutella (hot favourite) are hand-spun!

Plentiful Platters at Hong Kong Mei Wei Kitchen

Imagine a plateful of delicious heaps of rice with delicious fritters and fries, stir fries, greens or Combination Platters such as roast pork Chow Mein, Roast pork with Chinese vegetables; all for $7.75! Yes, you can get the best out of your mouth-watering meals at Hong Kong Mei Wei Kitchen in Broadway, Brooklyn. In fact, most of their dishes are $15 or less. The dishes are mostly Korean, Cantonese and Taiwanese. So if you happen to visit Brooklyn, it would be a good idea to eat here.

Upcoming Events and Festivals in Seattle

Seattle’s transformation from a dull port to one of the most culturally enriched cities of the US is truly sensational. Thanks to its cultural heritage, every year hordes of tourists head to Seattle to

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enjoy the huge line up of colourful festivals there. If you have any plans of visiting the coffee capital of the US this year then this list of upcoming events and festivals would come in handy for you.

Earshot Jazz Festival

In its 27th edition this year, Earshot Jazz Festival celebrates the spirit of Jazz in the best way possible. The festival will be held from 9th – 18th November, and would feature more than 50 concerts all across the city. Established as well as new but promising musicians will enthral huge crowds.

Seattle International Auto Show

If you are fond of automobiles then this festival is for you. To be held from 8th to 11th October at the Century Link Event Field Centre, Seattle International Auto Show would showcase more than 400 vehicles across different categories like cars, trucks, SUVs, crossovers and alternative fuel vehicles. From test driving these vehicles and enjoying zip lining tours to eating delicious food, this festival would definitely bring out the child in you.

Seattle Slack Key Festival

Celebrate the best of Hawaiian music and cuisine during the 7th Annual Seattle Slack Key Festival that takes place on 8th November at the Town Hall Theatre. Some of the premier Hawaiian musicians who will be performing this year are George Kuo, Ikaika Marzo and Nathan Aweau. What can be more exciting than watching your favourite artists perform while gorging on delicious Hawaiian delicacies?

Seattle South Asian Film Festival

Watch some of the finest films from India, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Nepal, Pakistan and Bangladesh at the Seattle South Asian Film Festival. The festival will be held from 15th to 25th October in the Greater Seattle Area and would expose movie buffs to the nuances of Asian culture and traditions; certainly a must attend event.

Top 3 Cultural Festivals in Atlanta, Georgia during the Month of October

Come October, and Atlanta bursts with a number of events and festivals for people of varied tastes and interests.

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Be it art enthusiasts or movie buffs and theater lovers – there is something for everyone. The city hosts lots of exciting and culturally rich events in the month of October. Let’s check out some of the main highlights.

Atlanta Arts Festival

The Atlanta Arts Festival will feature around 200 of the best artists in the country. This annual festival is usually celebrated on the second week after the Labour Day, but this year, it will be held on the 24th and 25th of October. The festival displays some of the most magnificent and awe-inspiring art and craftworks including paintings, sculptures, and photographs as well as various other handicrafts made of different materials such as leather, brown glass and metal. Other attractions include art sessions, artists’ demos and live entertainment.

Atlanta Underground Film Festival

Atlanta Underground Film Festival, an annual ritual, will celebrate its 12th anniversary this year. Started in 2004, the festival has been a platform for independent filmmakers of all ages. The film festival will be held on the 9th and the 10th of October and will feature movies of various genres from all around the world. If you are an independent filmmaker, you can submit your work and it may just get selected and showcased here. Tickets to the shows will be available 30 minutes before screening.

Atlanta Black Theatre Festival

Atlanta Black Theatre Festival, also known as the festival of 40 plays in 4 days, is becoming one of the most popular theatre festivals, wherein writers, artists and celebrities from all across the globe come every year and use the stage as the medium to tell stories or to project different themes, emotions and messages. The festival also features live performances, workshops and shopping options.

New York for the Newlyweds

Honeymoon is said to be the romantic phase in the life of a married couple. This is the time to enjoy the first few days of marital bliss together far away from the mundane routine of life. New York City is one of the best and most romantic honeymoon destinations in the world. The city offers a wide

New York

array of attractions to honeymooners. From enjoying breath-taking scenic views together to dining at incredibly romantic restaurants, the possibilities for romance in New York City are limitless. To help you sort through these possibilities, here is a collection of flirtatious and romantic things to do in the city.

Dinner at River Cafe

Stroll down the Brooklyn Bridge hand in hand to spend some relaxing moments together. After you’ve crossed into Brooklyn, head to the River Cafe for a romantic dinner. The scenic views from the restaurant make it one of the most romantic places of New York. Located at the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge, the cafe offers serene views of the East River beautifully reflecting the brilliant lights of Manhattan.

Carriage Rides at Central Park

A carriage ride with your beloved through the Central Park of New York City spells sheer romance! Grab an ice-cream and share it with your beloved, while riding in a horse-drawn vintage carriage. Central Park is one of the liveliest places of New York but some parts of the park have a very relaxed ambience in the evening. You would love to sit back and relax in your stylish coach and watch some of Central Park’s most popular attractions pass by. Carriages can be easily found lined up along Central Park South between 5th and 6th Avenues.

Musical Performance at the Lincoln Center

If music is what puts you in the mood, then Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts is the best place for you in New York City. Lincoln Center delivers an extensive lineup of concerts, plays and film screenings throughout the week and ensures an enriching afternoon or evening with your partner. Whether it is the ballet, the New York Metropolitan Opera, or the New York Philharmonic, the musical performance would certainly accentuate your romantic mood.

 

Gloucester Schooner Festival – A Lively Sailing Event in Massachusetts, USA

Gloucester Schooner Festival is perhaps the most popular annual maritime and sailing event in the USA. Like every year, this event is all set to rock Gloucester harbour, the oldest seaport in the country, from 04th to 06th September, 2015.

This three-day event offers you an opportunity to admire a variety of schooners or sailing vessels at events such as The Mayor’s Race and the Parade of Sail. Let’s know more about this annual festival that offers a sneak peek into the heritage of Gloucester.

Schooner Festival Concert Cruise

Join this party at Beauport Princess Cruise Ship on 06th September at 7:30 pm. The live concert of Roomful of Blues, a Grammy-nominated band, is the major highlight of the cruise. The cruise ship also features a full bar for guests over the age of 21. Light snacks are also available for purchase. You can buy tickets for the cruise online as well as at the dock.

Boat Parade of Lights

Visit Jones Creek on 05th September, 2015 at 7pm to take a look at the dazzling schooners sail through the waters of the River Annisquam. This fascinating parade culminates at Smith’s Cove area of the Gloucester Harbour. The parade ends with a spectacular show of fireworks over the harbour.

Schooner Festival Fireworks at Beauport

You can enjoy the display of fireworks from the lawn and terrace of Beauport or Sleeper-McCann House, a historic house in Gloucester. Buy tickets to enjoy the display of fireworks from this historic home.

Tickets are also available to view the Parade of Sail, another popular attraction of Gloucester Schooner Festival. In this parade, schooners sail to the Eastern Point Light breakwater, the starting point of the Mayor’s Race. Coffee and breakfast is available at the historic house. Arrive a little early as the breakfast is served on first come, first serve basis.

For both events, carry mosquito spray, chair and an extra layer of clothes.

Top Three Must-Visit Places for History Lovers in Atlanta, Georgia

Atlanta is more famed as a busy commercial hub, but did you know that the city is also full of attractions that draw history buffs from all around the globe. Here are three of the top historical attractions in Atlanta.

Atlanta History Center

If you have a love for history, Atlanta History Center is one of the first places you should visit in the city. Attend the award winning exhibitions here to know about Georgia’s history. The museum has several interesting parts, such as the Smith Family Farm of 1960s and Swan House of 1928, the celebrated Goizuetta, Mary Howard Gilbert Memorial Quarry Garden, Frank A. Smith Rhododendron Gardens, Kenan Research Center and Centennial Olympic Games museum. A major attraction is the residence of Margaret Mitchell, the author of the famous novel, Gone with the Wind.

Mike Licht by Martin Luther King / CC BY

Mike Licht by Martin Luther King / CC BY

Birth Home of Martin Luther King Jr.

One of the most iconic landmarks in Atlanta is the Auburn Avenue, birthplace of Martin Luther King Jr. The place is well known for the two blocks, namely 501 and 407-413. The former is the birthplace of Martin Luther King Jr. and the latter is the Ebenezer Baptist Church where Martin Luther King Jr. and his father worked as ministers.  Guided tours are available for groups of up to 15 people.

Fox Theatre

The famous Fox Theatre was started in 1928, during the Great Depression. Apart from its historical significance, it is a popular place to enjoy a variety of entertainment. The theatre hosts popular plays, classic films, Broadway Musicals, stage performances and comedy shows. It is reputed to entertain almost 50,000 spectators every year and has been named the National Historic Landmark.

Loads of Fun Awaits you at the Evergreen State Fair in Seattle!!

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The Evergreen State Fairgrounds is all set to host the Evergreen State Fair. This annual 12-day affair is held in August and is known to be one of the biggest events in the region. In fact, last year it broke records by registering more than 341,000 visitors. If you plan to visit Seattle around this time, get set for loads of fun-filled times with your family.

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The venue is just about an hour’s drive from Seattle. With many appealing activities, exhibitions, midway rides, and events like bull riding and concerts, this event promises many unforgettable moments.

About the Fair

The Evergreen State fair was held for the first time in the downtown region of Monroe, Washington in 1908. As its popularity grew each year, the organisers moved its venue from the small downtown area to the current location at Evergreen State Fairgrounds.

You can look forward to thrilling rides such as Thunderbolt, Energy Storm, Giant Wheel to name a few; animal exhibits and barns; and great food!

The special attractions include Petting Zoo, Carnival Rides, Logging Show, Crazy Animal Races, Auto Races and Pro-West Rodeo.

Enter a Contest, and Make your Family Proud

Besides all the entertainment and fun, the fair gives you a rich insight into the essence of the US way of life. Enter one of the many exciting contests and emerge as a winner with your skills. Age is not a bar, as the contests are made specifically for various age groups. Besides, you may enter most of these contests for free.

Some of the events are Bubble Gum Blowing (Different competitions for adults and kids), Diaper Derby (For Babies and Tiny-tots), Egg Toss, Evergreen State Fair Sing Off, Frisbee Throwing, Pie Eating Contest (Different competitions for adults and kids), and different OC Food Contests. You can even volunteer to judge the contest!

Philadelphia Folk Festival – An Annual Event for Music and Camping Lovers

In Philadelphia, the third weekend of August is dedicated to folk music. From 13th to 16th August, 2015, this Pennsylvanian city is going to celebrate the 54th edition of Philadelphia Folk Festival.

This is the largest and the longest running folk festival in the USA and here you can enjoy music genres such as country, blues, rock, and of course, folk! Every year, this live music event takes place near the borough of Schwenksville. This festival is popular not only for its music, but also for the camping opportunities. Read on to know more about the Philadelphia Folk Festival.

Tickets

All Fest Tickets are available for those who wish to enjoy only the music at the fest. For camping and the festival, you need to buy All Fest Ticket + Tent Camping. Several guests camp here in their RVs (recreational vehicles). They need All Fest Ticket + Vehicle Camping as well as an RV Pass. Friday Only, Saturday Only and Sunday Only tickets are up for sale as well!

Camping

The campground is divided into two areas – light camping and heavy camping. The former is reserved for tent camping whereas the latter is suitable for RVs. Anyone over the age of five needs a wristlet to enter into the campground.

Food

Delicious food adds more to the fun at the festival. Food vendors are available at the campground as well as the concert area in large numbers. These vendors serve local dishes in addition to specialties from Asia, Greece and Mexico. Meal choices are also available for vegetarians as well as vegans.

Kids’ Fun

The festival promises a memorable time for kids. Bring your kids to the Dulcimer Grove and work with them to create new things. Here, children can make souvenirs to take home while they listen to the storytellers.

Top 3 Delights of Hawaii Holidays, the Aloha Land

A single glance from your plane’s window, as it prepares to land in Hawaii, is enough to make you fall in love with this US state. Encased amidst emerald-blue oceans, the Islands of Hawaii will

Hawaii Holidays

certainly etch some indelible memories in your heart. Check out some of the must-have experiences for a holiday in Hawaii.

Snorkelling at Hanauma Bay

Reserve at least a day for snorkelling at Hanauma Bay, an environmental reserve situated on

Hanauma Bay

Oahu’s south-eastern coastline. While you need to buy tickets for snorkelling here, there is no fee for kids under three. You can hire snorkelling equipment at Hanauma Bay.

Enjoy a Road Trip

Go for a road-trip to the Windward Coast, situated on the Kalanianaole Highway, to see Koko Head, a dormant but remarkable-looking volcano. Drive further down the same road to the Lanikai Beach and take a break to relax here. This beach has been labelled as Hawaii’s best by the Travel Channel.

Eat to Your Heart’s Content

The local cuisine is one of the best aspects of Hawaii. In fact, food is an intrinsic element of Hawaiian culture. Dining at Duke’s Waikiki is a must for anyone visiting Waikki Beach. Named after the celebrity surfer Duke Kahanamoku, the restaurant offers a plethora of famous native delicacies such as huli-huli chicken, kalua pork, fresh poke, and much more.

If you plan to check out the tourist attractions of Oahu’s North-Shore, make sure that you drop by Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck, located outside Laie —their shrimp scampi is brilliant.