Archive for the Music category.
Posted on February 11th, 2010 by Sandy in
Music,
Travel Hartford is one of the truly great towns in the U.S., with a very lively and diverse population. There is a lot of rich history here, and a lot of contemporary historical moments, and it’s a great place to visit. It’s possible to visit to see historic sites, hang out with old friends, and also to get in touch with the local communities. There are many different hotels in Hartford that cater to many different tastes, and with great hospitality and style. It’s one of the classic east coast cities, and now boasts one of the largest Puerto Rican communities on the mainland of the United States.
It makes perfect sense, then, that a conglomeration of identities here would find a home in the music of the local hero, Notch. He’s one of the more prominent reggaeton artists given airplay these days, and if you’re visiting for any length of time, and anywhere near the regions where popular culture might reach, then you’ll certainly run into his sound. His particular music, however, was only formally exclusively reggaeton for a short period. His recent hit, Hay Que Bueno, follows in this category, but he jumps in and out of categorization with a great fluidity.
He himself is a confluence of cultures and traditions. In his background there is Portuguese, Cuban, Jamaican, French, and Native influence, and he calls his style of singing Spatoinglish, a combination of Spanish, Patois, and English. This is a very powerful combination that makes for a musician who is absolutely captivating. He commands attention through the force as well as the sweetness of his music, and it’s a delightful thing to hear when you are on the dance floor, and want something that will make you move, even when you are exhausted.
Posted on November 24th, 2009 by Sandy in
Music,
Travel With its long history as a major port, there have always been many cultures passing through Barcelona at any given time, and it’s one of the most exciting places in the world today. The local culture is absolutely splendid, always seeming to manage a position that is entirely in touch with classical sensibilities, and also right on the cutting edge. It’s a fantastic place for history buffs, or anyone looking to see what’s in the future for art, fashion, and design. For tourist destinations, it’s always been on the top. Barcelona hotels are plentiful, and there’s something here for every taste and budget, and all of them have the highest sense of hospitality, offering a chance to visit the city from the lap of splendor.
It’s a pleasure to wake up in such surroundings that compliment the desire for old world luxury mixes with the very best of moderns tastes. Many hotels will also have world-class chefs that can prepare you some scrumptious meals, drawn from local culinary traditions and seasoned with the most advanced international cooking styles. There are also always plenty of restaurants to suit every budget, and the food in Barcelona is much like the culture, that is to say, magnificent. And very much at the forefront of popular culture along with classical and avant-garde culture.
U2 began their 360 Tour in Barcelona in the summer of 2009, to nearly 100,000 fans. In one spectacular moment, when they were getting ready to play their famous Angel of Harlem, Bono announced that they wrote it for Billie Holiday, but this night would dedicate it to Michael Jackson, who joined the ranks of rock and roll’s long list of those who are gone too soon. It was a remarkable moment, crossing cultures and countries in one deft dedication.
Thomas Raffles stepped into Singapore almost two hundred years ago. When the government was set up on the island it was set on the banks of the Singapore River, where it still stands today. This is located in what is known as the Colonial District. There are many monuments and historical sites that are located in this neighborhood, each of them reflecting a bit of the rich heritage and history of the island.
In this district one will find a Singapore restaurant to suit ones culinary desires as well as large shopping malls, museums and galleries, cafes and pubs, all set within the incredible architecture and historical buildings and homes. It is the neighborhood that still provides the influences of the British, as well as the traditional Singaporean aspects such as the rickshaw drivers and the hawker stands.
The river has been the life line for the country for hundreds of years, as far as commercial and economic industries go. Raffles is honored along the river by a large stature, and his house still stands on the hill that it was constructed upon, two hundred years ago in Fort Canning Park. One of the best night time walks is to stroll along the river banks and take in the beauty of the skyline as it sits just on the other side.
While standing in the Colonial District, and looking across at the skyscrapers of the business district, one is immediately and at once, in the old world witnesses the modern world. Located in the area of the Padang, are many museums and historical buildings such as the Old and the New Parliament House, as well as the Raffles Hotel, historical churches and the Esplanade, home to the Theatres on the Bay. Art and culture is found in the Colonial District as well as the history of the hard work of those who labored in the past along the docks and in the warehouses. This is just one of the areas of the island, where history is located on every corner.
For savvy travelers, our five-star Kolkata hotels offer some of the most lovely amenities available in contemporary accommodation. Much like the city itself, our hotels offer a unique blend of the old world and the new, with excellence in hospitality and technology. Guests will find themselves well-connected to the world at large, and in a setting where escaping from the world in absolute luxury is also possible. Design here is at a premium, and style meets substance in a very happy marriage of tastes. Not to mention the excellent food, reliable customer service that is always friendly and gracious, and all the creature comforts that make life worth living, these are truly exceptional places that will leave you remembering your stay for a lifetime.
Kolkata is a fascinating city with an extremely rich history. One of the longest continually-inhabited places on the planet, there is a constant buzz of activity here. And there is always something to do, day or night, so whether a rich experience with the family or an exciting time after dark are on the menu, Kolkata will accommodate. There is an excellent cultural scene, with the film industry here, fantastic visual artists creating new worlds with paint and photography, and music. There is an amazing scene for traditional music, with some of the best players in the country gracing clubs and music halls. There is also an upcoming contemporary music scene, and Cynical Recess is one of the hottest new groups.
Born and bred in Kolkata, with five performers and their own engineer, Cynical Recess plays a style of music that is a kind of socially conscious 80’s rock with tendencies toward both progressive and alternative rock. They have won a number of competitions, and played a god number of shows, since they formed in December of 2008. Their lead vocalist, Abhishek, came with a generous supply of kudos for his lead vocals before joining their ranks. It is an exciting music, with energy and conscience. Having been noticed by the likes of the Telegraph, Cynical Recess is off to a sweeping start, with enormous promise.
In the realm of four-star hotels, Bangalore provides some enormously relaxing times for the guests. There is a sumptuous blend of old-fashioned charm and hospitality mixed with state of the art technologies, keeping the travelers well-pampered and well-connected. Bangalore has a fascinating connection with global culture, and there are fantastic design touches here that mix world-class sensibilities with the extremely local, making for a hotel experience that is very pleasant. The city of Bangalore is very fascinating to begin with, and guests will have a difficult time choosing between a night of luxury inside the hotel, or a night on the town.
Bangalore is the capital of the state of Karnataka, and has a long and fascinating history. It is one of the most economically advanced cities in India, and has recently started to experience a sudden shift in population, where Banaloreans who have moved away for promise of economic gain have moved back for the same reasons. It has one of the largest universities in the world. It also has hip hop. There are fantastic clubs to sample new music and new rhythms, and lucky travelers may find themselves in town for a show by Bangalore’s Deejay Goapu. Deejay Goapu is a musician turned deejay who started working the clubs in his new capacity as spinner when he found he had a talent for making large groups happy.
He also started to incorporate traditional Indian percussion to his beats, calling it “Taal Technology,” and instantly started to distinguish himself as a voice to follow in world music. By following in the artistic pattern of combining elements, mixing new technology with cultural traditions, new forms emerge that speak to old and new generations, and the world wakes up to respond. Deejay Goapu is starting to develop a following, with increasing numbers of performances in various cities in India, and is excited to be entertaining his audiences, and holds a special place in his heart for his hometown of Bangalore.
There are always lots of options for the small but necessary details of luxury in choosing four-star hotels. Chennai is no exception to this rule. There are outstanding accommodations that make your stay here absolutely heavenly. With a keen eye for style, and a permeating sense of hospitality and grace, Chennai will hold a special place in your memory. As one of the largest cities in India, it already holds a special place in many hearts. With a tremendously complex and fascinating urban culture, in the middle of some truly beautiful natural wonders, there is much to see and do here.
The local culture is interesting and remarkably complicated in languages, customs, and traditions. There are always plenty of fascinating festivals that speak of cultural identities that are old and constantly shifting. There are also a number of artists and intellectuals who are adding their own twist to life in contemporary Chennai. One of these artists is local musician Ragstomorerags. This one man virtuoso band classifies himself in a few categories, and could be fairly safely filed with ambient and electronic music. In his own words, however, he is a soundscape artist, and his layered tracks are evidence of a tendency to perform for multiple perceptions simultaneously.
His musical works, then, are experiments in an evolution of sound moments. With obvious influences from the Beatles and some of the more theatrical arena rock bands of the 70s, there is a remarkable fusion of sensibilities in his work. The hard rock influence underscores a few different threads of traditional Indian music to make musical works that are actually very haunting. The nuance begins as background and ultimately takes over the track, making for a work that is simultaneously lyrical and conceptual, presenting a sense of fractured personas playing at an illusion of wholeness. This gives the work of Ragstomorerags a sense of depth that bears repeated listenings, and his live performances in Chennai are wonderful experiences to catch.
In the realm of the boutique hotel, Singapore is a treasure. The country seems built for the boutique hotel lifestyle, highly individual, and elegantly designed, with an eye for tradition as well as innovation. Comfort and luxury are the rule without exception, and guests will find themselves living in an alternative world that is strikingly like paradise, and strikingly unlike any other place on earth.
Singapore is a very unique place. A small country unto itself, it is in close proximity to other Asian nations and cities, and its place on the water gives it a history that is well-connected to the rest of the world. It still maintains an identity that is fiercely individual, yet also complex in its connections with the world at large. In international circles, it is a trend-setter, and the youth culture here seems remarkably flexible in taking in old and new ideas and modifying them to make them uniquely Singapore. In terms of fashion and visual culture, it is easy to see the influences of the old and the new here, and it intertwines in playful and fascinating ways. Fans of surf-music influenced rock of the late sixties will find truly groovy counterparts to U.S. and Europe’s superstars. One band that has held a place in Singapore’s heart for a few decades is the October Cherries.
Their beginning as The Surfers brought them some initial success and popularity, but it wasn’t until they changed their name in 1968 that they began to feel some real momentum. Being part of a British colony, the Singapore band sang in the official language, English, and had some innovative and catchy hits like Cucucu Choo, Felicia (Flowers for your grave), Coffee Toffee Squares, and Will you love me. But piracy was not a friend to the October Cherries, and although copying brought them enough street cred to make them as popular as the Beatles, it did nothing for record sales. Their attempts to cross over into the European markets were stopped by racist practices from the record companies, and they formed their own label, Baal records. They have left quite a legacy, including induction into Singapore’s 60’s Pop Music Hall of Fame, but their sound still needs a proper recognition in the history of world music.
Chennai is the fourth largest city of India. It is the capital city of the Indian State of Tamil Nadu and located on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal. One of the most widely known, and highly anticipated events of Chennai is the annual Madras Music Season. This five week event occurs in December and January and was started back in 1927.It is considered to be one of the largest cultural events featuring Carnatic music which is a combination of Indian classical music and Hindustani music. Originally the season was just Carnatic music but has since grown to include other non-Carnatic music as well as dance and drama. This is an excellent opportunity for seasoned artists as well as multi-talented newcomers from all over India to perform to the delight of the many spectators. Over the years, the Madras Music Season has grown immensely and continues to do so on an annual basis. During the 2004-2005 season, there were over 1200 performances and over 600 artists. Like the universe, the program continues to expand.
Sabhas or music halls organize the numerous concerts that are held throughout the cities during the Madras Music Season. There can be quite a competition among the halls to entice the more popular artists to perform at their particular venue. The performers are recognized for their talents and performances by the Sabhas with various awards and trophies. If you are planning to attend these fun filled concerts, be sure and check out the many five star hotels Chennai has to offer. Your comfort and pleasure is priority and the staff’s hospitality is sure to make your stay most enjoyable. They will also be able to direct you to the various halls and make suggestions as to which artists you might enjoy. All in all, the Madras Music Season is something you won’t want to miss.
In 1973, one of the most recognizable structures in the world, created by Jorn Utzon, was opened in a ceremony that was presided over by Queen Elizabeth II. The Sydney Opera House has become one of the iconic structures of the world, much as is the Empire State Building in New York City, USA and the Eiffel Tower in France. During the almost forty years of the history of the building, it has become the symbol of the entire country of Australia, much as the Colosseum represents Rome, and as the Pyramids are representative of Egypt. Many travel to the city, and dine in one of the many restaurants Sydney offers, just to catch a glimpse of the building or take photographs. Not to mention those that visit in order to have the experience of one of the more than three thousands events that are scheduled there each and every year with close to two million people attending throughout the year. Tours are also available for those not taking in a show.
Utzon designed the building with the idea of evoking the look of a ship with all its sails up and blowing. This is a spectacular site, as the Opera House is located at the end of Bennelong Point, out in the center of the harbor, and does very much resemble a ship at sea. When viewed from a plane or from a ferry boat, in the middle of the blue water, the white, stark sails are breathtaking. Utzon won the design competition that was set up at the end of the 1950’s by the Government of New South Wales. However, at that time his design was something that engineers at that time, where just incapable of completing. It was not until 1961, when Utzon had spent time reworking the original design, that the challenge of building the sails was solved. Utzon was not involved in the project at the time of its completion as the Government began to withhold payments and he resigned. Other designers complete the project, more than thirty years after Jorn Utzon originally won the competition. Just one of the many reasons to visit the city, the Sydney Opera House continues to be one of the most incredible architectural achievements in the world.
Music is popular among the residents of Dubai and is incorporated into their daily lives. It is also a significant aspect of the city’s cultural heritage and history. Traditional music styles are common and essential, while the United Arab Emirates Philharmonic Orchestra has also become widely recognized as a major institution in Dubai. It has the distinction of being the only full time orchestra functioning in the UAE and is gaining international recognition as a collaborator with music professionals from around the world. This resident company is a major attraction for tourists who are staying in one of the five star Dubai hotels and they have no difficulty in finding information on it at the front desk.
The orchestra’s Conductor and Artistic Director, Philipp Maier, founded this groundbreaking organization with the goal of supporting and promoting orchestral music in the UAE. The company was developed to provide classical music, and also to create an innovative fusion of European and Arabic styles and themes. They present concerts from the standard classical cannon as well as new works from contemporary composers. Darrol Barry is an acclaimed British composer and his new works will be premiered by the orchestra. The concert will be the first of its kind collaboration by orchestras in the Middle East.
The UAE orchestra, which also performs concerts for local festivals and community events, is about to move into a new and permanent home at the American University in Dubai. The new auditorium was built with a state of the art acoustical design and will be the perfect venue for this innovated company. There will also be ample space for rehearsals, which is an excellent and necessary resource for any orchestra. Their new home is sponsored by a generous grant from the University AUD. The company should thrive in this new location. It will compliment the nature of the orchestra and its music as well as its educational intentions. The orchestra gained international recognition recently when it was featured on a CNN commercial. This was a globally broadcast spot and put the international eye on the Dubai orchestra.