ENGLAND NEWS ...

The World Shakespeare Festival
Running from April - November 2012, the World Shakespeare Festival is a celebration of Shakespeare as the world's playwright, produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company in an unprecedented collaboration with leading UK and international arts organisations and with Globe to Globe, a major international programme produced by Shakespeare's Globe.


The Festival features major new productions, groundbreaking international collaborations and radical interpretations of Shakespeare's work by some of the world's leading theatre companies, alongside a range of exhibitions, events and interactive online projects.


All Over the UK
Productions and events will take place across the UK, in locations including Stratford-upon-Avon, London, Newcastle/Gateshead, Wales and Scotland, as well as online.


Explore the Festival Website, www.worldshakespearefestival.org.uk

The Best of UK and International Creative Talent
The Festival is an unprecedented collaboration involving theatres, companies and cultural organisations from across the world, including:
Almeida Theatre
Anglo Mexican Foundation
Artistes, Producteurs, Associés
Barbican
Barcelona Internacional Teatre
BBC
Birmingham Repertory Theatre Company
Brighton Festival
British Council
British Museum
Chekhov International Theatre Festival
Companhia BufoMecânica
Compañia Nacional de Teatro
Contact, Manchester
Dmitry Krymov's Laboratory
dreamthinkspeak
Edinburgh International Festival
Hall for Cornwall
House of Fairy Tales
Iraqi Theatre Company
London International Festival of Theatre
Lyric Theatre, Belfast
National Student Drama Festival
National Theatre
National Theatre of Scotland
National Theatre Wales
National Youth Theatre
New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich
Newcastle University
Ninagawa Company
Northern Sinfonia
Northern Stage
The Nuffield, Southampton
Oily Cart
Pilot, Questors Theatre
Riverside Studios
Roundhouse
Royal Shakespeare Company
Sage Gateshead
School of Dramatic Art Theatre
Shakespeare Birthplace Trust
Shakespeare's Globe
Shanghai Dramatic Arts Center
Sherman Cymru, Cardiff
Squidsoup
Stratford Circus
Tate Modern
Teatr Warszawa
Theatre Royal Newcastle
Voluntary Arts Network
The Wooster Group


Festival Supporters
The World Shakespeare Festival is supported by the National Lottery through the Olympic Lottery Distributor, by Arts Council England and by BP, Founding Presenting Partner of the Festival.


The World Shakespeare Festival is part of the London 2012 Festival.

Posted on Friday, 9th September, 2011

                 HONG KONG NEWS ...


HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL, AN EXCITING AUTUMN DESTINATION

The coming of September heralds a wonderful musical event for Hong Kong: the HK International Jazz Festival, scheduled to take place over eight days from 25 September to 2 October. Over 300 musicians will come from 24 countries on six continents to offer over 60 performances, workshops and exhibitions designed not only for lovers of jazz but also for fans of other musical genres.


In addition to traditional and modern jazz offerings, audiences will be thrilled by flamenco and gypsy swing, folk and ethnic music, capella concerts and the full range of what is known as ‘world music’. Performers include Poncho Sanchez, Terence Blanchard, Ted Lo, Freddy Cole (Nat King’s youngest brother), Maria João and many others. Ensembles include the Kurt Rosenwinkel Standard Trio from the USA, Chico and the Gypsies from France, the Stouxingers from Germany, the Amsterdam Klezmer Band and many others. Language will certainly not be a problem… for the international language of music will be heard all over Hong Kong during those exciting days.


In addition to the musical performances, scheduled to be held in a variety of locations, there will be musical workshops and an exhibition of photographs chronicling the many tours and performances of luminaries such as Louis Armstrong, Dave Brubeck, Dizzy Gillespie, Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, Sarah Vaughan and others.


Many of the Jazz Festival events will be free, while ticketed events will carry deep discounts for seniors and students.

Posted on Friday, 9th September, 2011

Medieval banquet in Cardiff Castle

A MEDIEVAL WELSH  BANQUET IN CARDIFF CASTLE, A NIGHT OF MERRIMENT
Way back in 76AD Cardiff Castle started life as a Roman Fort.  Today the castle is an integral part of a lovely city where modernity mixes effortlessly with a past watched over by a 12th century Norman Keep.  The castle's sumptious Victorian interior; stained glass windows, richly emblazoned walls and ornate ceilings that rival any I've seen in Spain and France can be attributed to its wealthy patron the Marquis of Bute.

Catherine Evans with Barney the Red-tailed Buzzard

In keeping with its past, an on-site falconry center re-enacts for the public the medieval sport of hunting with birds of prey.  Confined within the castle's battlements, a Red-tailed Buzzard named Barney clings with wicked claws to the leather gauntlet of falconer, Catherine Evans, while brilliant peacocks sweep majestically across emerald lawns.

An event not to be missed for visitors to Cardiff,  is a medieval banquet in the cellar of the castle.  Guests are treated to a traditional meal accompanied by mead, a drink made of honey and wine 

We dined on Glamorgan sausage, Caerphilly Cheese Souffle Tart served with cream and herb sauce.  And then my favourite, Welsh Honey Cream Mousse topped with raspberries and chocolate served with a Danzy Jones creme anglaise. 

Alun Saunders our Welsh host at the banquet was in top form.  His group of entertainers were in full voice serenading us with the songs of a people that love to sing. Saunders invited us to join in if we knew any of the songs and "If you don't know the words then shut up", he said.

At a later banquet, the Welsh Guards pictured here played a stirring rendition
of Tom Jones's "Delilah" much to the delight of all of us.

 Tom Jones, that famous singing Welshman - much loved by the ladies, including me - who took the world by storm with such songs as "Delilah" was ragged unmercifully throughout the night.  Saunders, after telling us that we were supposed to have peacock pie for dinner, doubled with laughter in his telling, "Tom Jones took the last peacock.  Apparently it's the only bird he can catch these days".  This followed an exchange with the castle chef when Saunders shouted for him to bring on the peacock.  The chef roared back "There ain't no peacock". Altogether it was a jolly evening, lots of clapping, laughter and powerful Welsh vocals.

At one point in the evening I suspected that Saunders had plans to call up some of the audience for a spot of fun.  And yes I was one of them.  Next time I shall sit well back from the stage.

Posted by Anne Gordon on Friday, 2nd September, 2011

Photos copyright Anne Gordon

GREAT SAVINGS ON BRITRAIL PASSES FOR AUTUMN AND WINTER TRAVEL IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.

Now’s the time to appreciate low season travel to Britain, where you can avoid the summer crowds and enjoy great savings! Explore England, Scotland and Wales this November, December, January or February and save up to 20% off BritRail’s most popular passes.


Take the classic BritRail Pass: for just $149 CAD get 3 consecutive days of train travel in standard class. That’s less than $50 a day to have the freedom to travel on as many trains as you wish to your choice of destinations throughout England, Scotland and Wales.

And for those travelers whose focus falls on England, the BritRail England Pass is a great fit. Also offered with the low season discount, get a 3 day BritRail England Consecutive Pass for $119 CAD in standard class, which is less than $40 a day for unlimited rail travel throughout England.


BritRail Passes and BritRail England Passes are offered in a wide range of validities, including Flexi Passes for a period of 3, 4, 8 or 15 travel days to be used within 2 months or Consecutive Passes for a period of 3, 4, 8, 15, 22 days or 1 month of travel. You can also choose a first or standard class BritRail pass, where first class offers benefits on select trains such as free Wi-Fi, more spacious seating, at seat meal service, free newspapers and complimentary tea and biscuits.


Pass holders are always pleased to discover that a BritRail Pass really does cover it all; it includes travel on all trains throughout Great Britain’s National Rail network! Hop on and off trains at your leisure, without being restricted to a specific seat on a specific train, and keep to a flexible schedule all your own. A BritRail Pass even covers travel on Airport Express trains, the most convenient way to skip traffic from Heathrow Airport, Gatwick Airport and Stansted Airport to central London.


Take advantage of BritRail’s Low Season Discount when booking a BritRail Pass or BritRail England Pass between September 1st, 2011 and February 15th, 2012 for travel in November, December, January or February. Get your BritRail Pass by visiting www.ACPRail.com or www.BritRail.com or by calling ACP Rail’s Call Center today at 1 866 938-RAIL (North America). Remember to buy before taking flight as BritRail Passes cannot be purchased in Britain.


ACP Rail International is the exclusive, global BritRail distributor and an established world leader in the marketing and distribution of International rail products to travel agents, tour operators and consumers. If you are a travel agent interested in booking rail passes, tickets, seat reservations, tours and attractions for your clients please visit www.agent.acprail.com or contact sales@acprail.com for more information.

Posted by Anne Gordon on Thursday, 1st September, 2011

Photo copyright Anne Gordon

SCOTLAND ADVENTURES WITH ROBIN MC KELVIE IN 'GRAB A GLEN'

'Grab a Glen’ with VisitScotland this autumn and experience some of the active adventures, unique walking and spectacular glens that Scotland has to offer.

Robin will post two travel diaries a week, along with his own photos and video content, offering a unique new way of seeing and showcasing Scotland, and inspiring visitors to experience it for themselves.Follow travel writer Robin McKelvie’s inspirational travel diary at www.visitscotland.com/grabaglen as he grabs the glens, hikes the hills and experiences the very best of Active Scotland in 2011.

 Travelling around Scotland from August to November, Robin will experience Scotland’s stunning landscapes and take part in many fantastic adventures throughout the country, from kayaking the coastal wilds of Scotland’s islands, and visiting the iconic shores of Loch Ness, to mountain biking some of Europe’s best forest trails and walking the many unique and inspiring glens throughout the country.

Robin said, “I am really excited to be heading off to check out my native land over the next few months. This is the year of Active Scotland and there is nowhere better to get active with over 700 islands, a myriad of mountains and hills, as well as our mighty rivers and countless lochs.”

“I'll be doing everything from taking my kids out walking in the great outdoors through to land yachting, whitewater rafting, sampling a few drams amongst the glens, and getting active around Scotland’s gorges, so I hope you can join me as I go.”

Grab a Glen was launched by VisitScotland as part of the year of Active Scotland - a year of celebration showcasing Scotland as a must visit active adventure destination.

Post from Visit Scotland.

Photo courtesy Visit Scotland.

Soak up the Summer at the Briars Resort & Spa on the shores of Lake Simcoe

Have you taken time to really enjoy the summer? Don't let it end without really soaking it up! Join us at The Briars Resort Spa on the shores of Lake Simcoe and enjoy the best of summer with us.

With all the luxuries of a full service resort and all the lakeside summer adventures steps outside...remember, we're just an hour from home.

Summer Resort Packages
Summer Resort Packages include all meals, activities, and accommodations. Rates vary based on booking dates. Please call 1-800-465-2376 to inquire about details.

Late Summer Midweek Getaways
August 21 to September 7
End your summer on a high note, with a midweek escape to the lake!
Midweek getaways include all the great activities and programming that we offer all summer long. Additionally, Sundays through Wednesdays offer great value and reduced rates.
Spa and Championship Golf can be added at an additional charge.

Labour Day Weekend Fun
What better way to spend the last weekend of the summer right on Lake Simcoe.
Join us for a fun filled weekend of Water Activities, Recreation and Family Fun!
Packages from $179* per person per night on a 2 night stay.

"WHERE IS YELLOWSTONE?" YOU MAY ASK

When you ask an American "Where is Yellowstone?" you will likely hear, "Yellowstone National Park is an American treasure that occupies parts of the US states of Wyoming, Montana and Idaho. 

Right now, much of the United States is experiencing the dog days of summer.  Bright summer wardrobes are beginning to seem dreary and soaring temperatures are challenging the temperaments of even the most good-natured among us.  Now is a perfect time to begin planning a winter vacation in Yellowstone National Park.

"While our summer operations offer more than 2,000 rooms per night, in winter we have only two lodges open with about one-tenth that number of rooms,” said Rick Hoeninghausen, director of sales and marketing for Xanterra Parks Resorts, operator of the lodges, restaurants, gift shops and activities in the park. “So winter is a much more intimate experience. And there is a reason we call this park wonderland in the winter. With its fascinating snowscapes and frosty animals, the park is, quite simply, breathtaking.”

How do you know if a winter vacation in Yellowstone is for you? “Here, you’ll see far more capilene than cashmere,” said Hoeninghausen. “Travelers who appreciate Mother Nature’s finest work and don’t mind a little frosty weather can experience a vacation here that will be truly memorable.”

Old Faithful Snow Lodge and Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel are the park’s two winter-season hotels, with a combined room count of about 230 rooms and cabins. While travelers can drive to Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel through the park’s northern entrance, Old Faithful Snow Lodge in the park’s interior is only accessible by over-snow vehicles – snowcoaches or snowmobiles.

Hoeninghausen provided these suggestions for determining if a winter vacation in Yellowstone is for you.

You are a mind-over-matter type of person. It’s hot right now; it will be plenty cold then. Much of the country is experiencing temperatures in the 90s this month. In December, Yellowstone could be experiencing in the below-zeros, although more typical weather that month is in the 20s. Don’t you feel cooler just thinking about it?

You’re tired of coach-class travel. No seat backs or tray tables to adjust in this coach. Xanterra’s fleet of historic Bombardier and rubber-tracked snowcoaches provide transportation from gateways to the park’s interior and take travelers on tours of the park. Classic Bombardiers have a history as colorful as the bright yellow snowcoaches themselves. Built in Quebec by a company founded by Joseph-Armand Bombardier – whose company also builds snowmobiles and jet skis – the Bombardier became widely recognized when Marilyn Monroe drove one in a hilarious scene from the movie How to Marry a Millionaire. Xanterra has a fleet of 29 snowcoaches, including two that are ADA accessible.

You have a thing for furry animals. The park’s signature animal – bison – wanders through the park slowly to conserve its energy in the winter, providing visitors with plenty of chances to observe these massive mammals in their natural habitat. Once hunted to the brink of extinction, the bison population in Yellowstone today numbers more than 3,000. In Northern Yellowstone’s Lamar Valley – called America’s Serengeti because of the abundance of wildlife in that area – visitors may also see wolves, foxes, coyotes, elk, eagles, big horn sheep and even moose.

You’d like an excuse to buy some new long underwear. If you’re the type with a closet full of high-tech layers, and you know exactly where you stashed your Sorrels last spring, a winter vacation in Yellowstone might be for you. Xanterra employees during the winter season subscribe to the philosophy that there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing. And won’t it feel good to stride past the sports store displays of baseball bats and tents and head to the winter clothing section? You might just have the place to yourself.

You find your rhythm with skis on. The park’s miles of groomed cross-country ski trails are appealing to beginning and advanced cross-country skiers alike. Xanterra operates regularly scheduled ski shuttles that pick up skiers from both lodges and drop them off and pick them up from trailheads around the park. Both hotels offer ski shops with rentals and instructors.

You also like extra large shoes. With snow several feet deep in many spots, snowshoeing in the park is almost as popular as cross-country skiing. Snowshoers can travel along marked – but ungroomed -- trails throughout the park, and guided tours can be arranged from both hotels every day with advance notice. Snowshoes can be rented from both lodges too.

And blades too. Completing the winter-season trifecta of human-powered activities, guests can borrow skates at no cost and skate on both lodges’ free outdoor ice-skating rinks. It’s possible to ski, snowshoe and skate all in one day.

You think starry nights are romantic. Picture this. You and the one you love are in the middle of the park on a cloudless winter night with no one else around except the handful of other guests who are also on Xanterra’s popular “Steam, Stars & Winter Soundscapes” tour. You can see nothing but the stars in the sky. Your guide urges everyone to be silent. And you hear steam hissing from fumeroles, trees rustling in the wind and even the occasional sound of an animal. On clear, moonless nights, it is even possible to see star shadows on the snow. Xanterra doesn’t promise the nights will be cloudless and starry, but tour participants do say it’s one of the most memorable parts of their vacations. The two and one-half-hour tour is under $40.

And you’re also a fan of mornings. The “Wake Up to Wildlife” tour departing from Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel at 6:45 a.m. four days a week includes coffee, juice, a muffin and, potentially, wolves. Morning is the best time of the day to see wildlife in Lamar Valley, and winter is the best season of the year to see wolves. Xanterra guides explain winter wildlife behavior while searching for animal sightings. This tour returns at 11 a.m.

You favor fireplaces over disco balls. Your perfect evening involves a fire. Both Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and Old Faithful Snow Lodge have inviting fireplaces where guests cozy up, sip drinks, read, chat and play cards or board games borrowed from the front desk. No DJs or pulsing lights, but live piano music is featured most nights in both hotel lobbies.

And you don’t mind saying “ahhh” every now and then. After a day of outdoor adventures, guests of the Old Faithful Snow Lodge can relax with a massage. A therapist customizes massage sessions, which range from 35 to 80 minutes, and use several different massage techniques.

Xanterra offers many other tours and experiences throughout the winter season, which begins Dec. 20 at Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and Dec. 18 at Old Faithful Snow Lodge and ends March 5 and March 4, 2012, respectively. For a complete listing of tours and activities visit www.YellowstoneNationalParkLodges.com. An online tool allows travelers to search for activities based on the desired duration and intensity of the adventure.

Xanterra also offers multi-day Winter Getaway packages and Lodging. Learning programs that incorporate a variety of guided activities, some meals, ground transportation and lodging.

For lodging reservations and to book tours and packages, visit www.YellowstoneNationalParkLodges.com or call (1) 307-344-7311 or toll-free (1) 866-GEYSERLAND (1-866-439-7375).

Posted by Anne Gordon on Wednesday, 3rd August, 2011