Hip Young Things

Orlando, Florida is well known as one of the top tourist destinations in the country. It has a reputation for great water theme parks and an almost fantasy oriented atmosphere. The name of the city brings up images of childhood dreams and wishes and it is one of the most popular places for families to spend their summer vacations. Any city that can make dreams come true receives high rankings in anyone’s book, and Orlando is just that city. Guests in Orlando hotel s enjoy their luxury accommodations while dreaming of the adventures that are in store for them the following day.

This all sounds very fantastic, and maybe a little over the top, however it is all true and anyone who has visited the city will testify to that. But what has been slightly overlooked here are the various other cultural features that are prominent in the city and play a major role in the daily lives of its residents. Music is important to people from all over the world, and the various concert venues and music organizations in the city receive strong local support and are greatly appreciated. And a concert at the Orlando Philharmonic Symphony is an excellent way to spend an evening after a delicious meal and great day spent at SeaWorld .

The symphony is Central Florida’s resident orchestra and performs at least one hundred twenty five concerts every season. The standard of excellence demonstrated by the company is intended not only to heighten the experience of audience members but also to serve as a role model for future generations of musicians. Education and leadership are part of the mission of this quality orchestra. The 2009/2010 season is the symphony’s seventeenth and they are celebrating this in big fashion. One of the primary concert series is the Super Series which is frequently considered to be its flagship program. It includes ten concerts including the best of pops and the classics and this season one of the featured performances was Beethoven’s Symphony No 9.

Seattle, Washington is known for various cultural elements in addition to the standard iconic attractions that are associated with the city. In addition, it has been responsible for initiating some cultural trends that have spread across the nation such as the grunge movement. And while there was a specific fashion, or some would say lack there of, and appearance attached to it there were other elements that were part of the grunge lifestyle such as the music scene that was prominent during the time and a major coffee obsession, which continues to be associated with the city. And while some of these developments may be due to the climate and weather conditions of the city, they have certainly become symbolic cultural associations to the city.

The grunge movement first began to emerge in Seattle in the mid to late 80s though it started to gain national attention, and imitation during the early 90s. It took hold primarily due to the bands that were associated with it. With the emergence of Nirvana and Pearl Jam as leading forces in early 90s music, the appearance and lifestyle that was associated with the distinct sounds of their music quickly began to spread with their fame. People visiting Seattle during these early years may have been lucky enough to catch a performance by one of these bands in a local club. As was true at the time, the staff of the great Seattle hotel s will have information on local favorites and the top concerts that are occurring in the city.

Nirvana was one of the first major bands associated with grunge to become internationally famous. They were first established in 1987 and lead by famous front man Kurt Cobain . David Grohl joined the band in 1990 as the drummer and after Cobain’s untimely death would go on to form his own band the Foo Fighters. Pearl Jam also emerged on the scene in the early 90s. They formed in 1990 and were lead by vocalists Eddie Vedder who became a major rock star. They were one of the most influential bands of the 1990s and they continue to create new music and remain a powerful force in the rock music scene.

As the largest city in Portugal, and also its capital, it should come as no surprise that the music scene in this city is incredible. This, among a diverse cultural heritage and numerous artistic expression outlets and entertainment options is one of the great draws the city offers its numerous tourists every year. And they aren’t the only ones who love the music scene here. The residents are also extremely supportive of the venues and musicians that perform there and music is an important aspect of daily life.

Some of the best music venues in the city are some of its top night clubs. These and some of the larger arenas or concert spaces as well as smaller venues including cafes and coffee shops all demonstrate the importance of music to the culture and represent the diversity of the scene. Bugix is a great example of a club that is also a popular place to see and hear live music performance. Every Friday and Saturday night live music is the featured attraction while the patrons enjoy beautiful views of the Tagus River and take advantage of the dance floor that is located upstairs.

Jazz is poplar on Lisbon and other cities across Portugal and many of the clubs and smaller venues cater to this music genre. Hot Clube de Portugal is one of the many, though it stands alone in many ways. It has been in business for more than fifty years and has been a major element in the history of jazz music and performance in the city. The Speakeasy is another great jazz establishment and is one of the smaller and more quiet places in the city. It is great for romantic evenings with a date and also the perfect place to bring close friends for great music but a place that also allows for quality conversations. Flamenco dancing and good food are another great aspect of this establishment.

Regardless of your personal tastes or musical preferences, there is a club or concert venue in Lisbon that will appeal to your style. You will definitely want to explore the music scene in this city if you plan to visit the gorgeous hotels and resorts in Lisbon

Frankfurt Germany is one of the country’s cultural significant cities, as well as one of its primary performance and artistic centers. As is true for many cities in the country, as well as the rest of Europe’s, the incredible history of Frankfurt is represented in many of its buildings and establishments and these, as well as the official monuments and cultural landmarks serve as major attractions for the tourists and guests in the hotels in Frankfurt . The Alte Oper , which was once the official Frankfurt Opera House, remains a popular establishment as well as a major landmark of the city.

Today the building is a major concert hall and hosts performances throughout the year. It dates back to the original inauguration date of 1880 and during its days as the opera house opened some of the world’s most important operatic works. Numerous shows received their premiere performance at the house and this contributes to the historic feel that remains with the building today. And while many of the younger generation concertgoers are unaware of the significant history of the building, they cannot help but be impressed by the amazing beauty and prestigious presence of the building.

Among the famous works that had their premiere at the opera house include Carmina Burana by Carl Orff , which opened in 1937. This extremely scenic cantata was an excellent compliment to the beauty and grandeur of the building. Unfortunately the building received devastating damage during the bombings of World War II and was almost completely destroyed. A major citizen initiative was organized and manifested the rebuilding of much of it. Today the building includes two performance spaces that can host major and more intimate concerts as well as convention spaces that can be used for various purposes including meetings and lectures. Many people enjoy simply looking at its magnificent exterior in the evenings when it is lit. It is not uncommon for people to simply sit outside or walk by it on any given evening.

This video older but it is definitely a classic; especially if you have any knowledge of Spanish!

If you are visiting Boston , one of the last things you are likely to have on your agenda may also be one of the best attractions in the city. However, unless you are specifically headed to Boston to attend a major concert, you are likely planning on visiting the amazing historical landmarks and architecture of the city as well as major iconic places like the one of the museums or performance art venues. And most likely a bowl of great clam chowder will be on your agenda, but a unless specifically planned you may not be planning on attending a performance at say the Boston Early Music Festival .

This is actually one of the great spring offerings found in Boston. Boston, like many cities in on the east coast, well and throughout the Midwest and other sections of the country for that matter has distinct seasons and major weather differences. Spring is frequently a time for celebration and there is a lot going on in Boston to demonstrate this. The Early Music Festival is one of the great events that occurs in the spring every year in the city.

The event takes place at various stages and was originally established in 1980. The venues that host the performances are some of the city’s most prestigious and grand establishments and include the Cutler Majestic Theatre at Emerson College , Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, Sanders Theatre at Harvard, St. Paul Church and Emmanuel Church, among others. One of the outstanding features of the festival is the Baroque Opera Project. This one of a kind spectacle introduces audiences to some rediscovered greats from the 17th and 18th centuries. It is the product of years of research into finding and then arraigning different works from the period and some of the top performance talent is featured in them. In addition, they have added a chamber music series to the program. 

The New York Philharmonic presents numerous concerts throughout its season at Avery Fisher Hall in the Lincoln Center. In addition, the renowned orchestra performs numerous additional concerts in parks and alternative venues throughout the year. The organization performs at parks in Queens, Staten Island, Long Island, Brooklyn and the Bronx, in addition to Manhattan and the greatest park of all, or at least the most popular and well known, Central Park . Outdoor summer concert events can be a great way for friends and families to share a beautiful evening under stars while listening to some of the greatest music from classical canon.

This is usually a popular and sometimes unexpected encounter for many of the tourists who travel to New York during the summer season. The Great Lawn in Central Park is one of the primary locations to experience an outdoor concert by the philharmonic as well as many other bands and musicians from a variety of music genres. There are some standard recommendations that will contribute to your overall enjoyment of these concerts as well as others.

Some of the generally recognized aspects of the concerts include deciding where to sit in relationship to the stage tent shell. The closer you are to the stage the easier it is to see the individual performers and have a more intimate experience. Attention to the music is also greater in this area. However, it is important to arrive early to ensure you are able to find a good spot. In addition, you are welcome to bring food and snacks as well as drinks. Candles are also popular as it will get dark during the evening. Please, be cautious and responsible if using them. Citronella candles are particularly popular as they also serve the purpose of reducing bug and mosquito problems. A blanket is a great asset to any outdoor concert. A helpful hint is to bring a plastic bag to place between the ground and your blanket. This makes a great insulation factor between the damp cold ground and your blanket.

During WWI, people across the United States had lived a conservative and a frugal life style.  In the years following, freedom of the boom in the economic status of many, and the time of peace gave way to what is now referred to in the history books as The Roaring 20′s.  This was a decade of celebration, of excess, and a time when the philosophies and the ideologies of wartime thinking was done away with.  Artistic endeavors were now something that the people of the country invested in, be it at the cinema, or at the speakeasies listening to some of the finest musicians in the country’s history.

Music was everywhere, from the street corners to the fancy clubs to the best restaurants, New York City was alive with the vibe and the era of the Jazz Age.  This was a time of rebellion, against the limited access to consume alcohol, and against all forms of government control for that matter.  One of the best places to catch this vibe at the time, is now a famous idea…a feeling that was encapsulated in a movie not too long ago.  It was the Harlem speakeasy, The Cotton Club.  This club was a bit of an oxymoron, as at the time, only black performers performed, and the only people allowed to come to the club were white.

Huge celebrities at the time, Bing Crosby,  Doris Duke and Cole Porter would attend the club with the sole purpose of seeing performances of musicians who are now legendary, but who at the time, would not be allowed in…other than to perform, such as Lena Horne, Cab Calloway, and Duke Ellington.  It is hard to imagine now, that kind of separation, but I have to believe that a man such as Bing Crosby felt no separation from a man like Duke Ellington.  That is the beauty of the arts, it is a world that is a bit apart from the trivial misconceptions.  It is a world of the heart and of the soul.  This was a time, filled with fashion and music and ideas that is still perpetuated today, in the hearts and the souls of the young Jazz musicians.  And it all began in Harlem, in the 1920′s, in the Jazz Age.

Dubai is a stunning place to visit, and every trip reveals more and more reasons why it’s such a popular destination these days.  Night life is at a premium here, where it’s possible to watch international celebrities having a night on the town, hoping to stumble into the party of the year.  It’s always possible to come across the party of the year here, too, and every evening seems to come close.  There are excellent djs, and some of the hottest in the world, showcasing their talents on the turntable in order to impress an immensely discerning audience.  The crowd comes dressed to kill, too, and on any given night you can see some of the coolest fashion trends, while also showing off your own sharp sensibilities.  One of the best ways to take in the scene here is from a 5 star Dubai hotel.

Our hotels are the top of the line, and are carefully selected for their magnificent track records in both style and hospitality.  You’ll love the blend of absolutely modern convenience and technology with old fashioned graciousness, to add welcome touches of elegance to your experience here, day and night.  You’ll need to rest in total luxury, too, when you’re enjoying a city as much as this one.  The cultural scene is stunning during the day, but the night is when things really start to shake, and the various sides of Dubai come out to play.  It’s an awful lot of fun, and at times it feels like you’re participating in the invention of a new global culture.  Even more so if you’re listening to the stylings of DJ Alberto Bambini, aka Purepath.

He hails form Lucca, Italy, which is still his home base.  His newest project, Overburning is an album that combines all of his technical ability with his excellent songwriting skills.  It’s a welcome new direction for this artist, whose 15 years of experience have influenced the way people dance these days.  Whether you’re listening to him spinning his stunning mixes, or start hearing tracks of his new musical work, he’s a welcome Italian accent to the Dubai dance floors.

When the centerpiece of any trip is the hotel, Florence has some sublime offerings.  Our hotels put you in the heart of Italian culture, with sumptuous accommodations to make the journey heavenly.  Florence is one of the true cultural centers of the world, with a rich history that has attracted artists for centuries, and continues to do so to this day.  The legacy of the Medicis lives on, and our lodgings are a divine blend of tradition and innovation, taking the best design sensibilities of the past and transforming them to a present that reflects modern sensibility.

The people of Florence have exquisite taste, and a definite love of their splendid past.  With this, there is also a love for the new, attracting artists who are willing to look to the future and present their findings in artistic forms.  One fantastic way to sample the best of the new wave of art is at Florence’s MUV Music and Digital Arts Festival.  2009 marks the fifth year of this exhilarating event, and it certainly seems to be evolving with the times.  The theme of this year’s festival is environmental sustainability, and artists in all the represented disciplines are requested to present work that is devoted to the future of the planet.

As one might guess from the name, MUV Festival presents some of the most interesting and exciting new work in digital visual art, electronic music, and experiments in audiovisual technologies.  The city that is usually accustomed to art that hangs on museum walls becomes a large installation, pushing the boundaries of the form.  There is naturally an emphasis on electronic music, with techno digital djs from all around the globe spinning the hottest beats to youth culture.  There is also a great deal of emphasis on the new technologies, and how they might present themselves to large crowds.  There are exhibitions, performances, and even workshops in Max/MSP, so that aspiring artists can learn the technique