Tag Archives: Arts

Travel |

|

The 2017 Dusseldorf Festival

Dusseldorf, Germany

Shchipkova Elena / Shutterstock.com

Held this year from the 13th of September to the 2nd of October, the Düsseldorf Festival fills the city with culture and the arts. From eccentric dance to global music, this is a festival that has something for just about everybody, but here are a few of its most highly-anticipated performances.

Ahi – Taksim Trio
The Taksim Trio are three musicians from Istanbul, and have made quite the name for themselves in Turkey. Their music is not only always entertaining, but also extremely skilled, and with a bold, multicultural quality, making this a show that you should not miss. The instruments involved include a clarinet, a duduk, an amplified baglama, and the Turkish zither, which work together to play a mix of Anatolian folk music and oriental pop, with a touch of classical and jazz too. They will be performing at the Düsseldorf Festival on the 29th of September, with this being their very first performance in Germany.

Ahnsim Dance – Eun-Me Ahn
Eun-Me Ahn is a Korean choreographer who is famous for her provocative, and extremely eccentric, dance pieces. For the first time ever, she will be presenting her latest trilogy in Europe, at the Düsseldorf Festival on the 26th of September. The piece features dancers that are both blind and sighted, and they tell a beautifully emotional story of the difficulties that being different brings in society.

The Revival – Cory Henry
Cory Henry is from the younger generation of gospel artists, but is just as well-loved as the classics. His latest program, called The Revival, features the magnificent Hammond organ, and this is used on its own for the majority of the performance, although he is sometimes accompanied by a single percussionist. Cory Henry is incredibly talented when it comes to the organ, bringing about such a wide range of sounds from it, starting off soulful and then moving on to progressive jazz, and even rock.

Y Ole – Jose Montalvo
Jose Montalvo is a French choreographer with a Spanish heritage, and this performance takes on an almost competitive edge, as he mixes together so many different dance types. From vibrant flamenco to the beats of hip hop to classical dance to soulful African rhythms, this is a performance that melds together all of Montalvo’s childhood memories, from all over the world, and can be seen on the 19th of September.

Master Drummers of Burundi
The Master Drummers of Burundi have been one of the leading drum ensembles in the world for the past few decades, and their performances are always filled with so much color and intensity. Performing at the Düsseldorf Festival on the 22nd of September, the performances usually involve 12 batimbos who create an astounding rhythm to sing and dance to, while using their musical instruments to fight imaginary battles.

The Düsseldorf Festival brings together musicians, dancers and artists from all over the world. From Turkey to France to Korea, this is a fantastic representation of international art and culture, with many of the performers being famous in their home countries.

Travel |

|

New Performances at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, Russia

Bolshoi Theatre, Moscow, Russia

Popova Valeriya / Shutterstock.com

A historic theatre in the heart of Moscow, the Bolshoi Theatre has earned itself a worldwide reputation for the performances that they host. For those visiting the city this summer, here are a few of the new performances that you will be able to catch at the Bolshoi Theatre.

Etudes
Etudes is a one act ballet that is dedicated to the world of dancing, following dancers from their early work in a rehearsal room to a final, most elaborate, stage performance. The ballet begins by showcasing the five basic positions in the dance, but ends with some of the most difficult of ballet moves, showing off the art’s many different sides. Originally created for the Royal Danish Ballet in 1948, Etudes is one of the most famous of Danish ballets when it comes to international ballet, with this version having been performed all over the world. This is a ballet that was so hugely loved by a worldwide audience that it has even been filmed for television on numerous occasions, but nothing quite beats catching it live at Moscow’s Bolshoi Theatre.

The Cage
The Cage is another one act ballet which was originally created by Jerome Robbins. Robbins was hugely inspired by Concerto in D for String Orchestra by Stravinsky, which was the composer’s first work for string orchestra since Apollon Musagete. The piece itself is rich and haunting, which led to Robbins creating a ballet that imagined a community of female dancers. By using the ballet dance form for this idea, Robbins was able to truly portray the creatures in the way that he imagined, and did not need to confine himself to conventional human movements. This is such an ethereal ballet, and is well worth seeing, especially for Stravinsky fans, who are likely already extremely familiar with Concerto in D.

The Golden Age
While the Golden Age premiered at the Bolshoi Theatre at the end of last year, this is a ballet that only exists on the Bolshoi stage, as there is no other ballet company in the world that performs it. The ballet depicts a conflict between criminals and hard working citizens, and shows a struggle that ends up all being in the name of love. When it was first performed in the 1930’s, it did not win over many people, but, when it was very first staged by the Bolshoi, in 1982, it experienced much more success. This latest version of The Golden Age has taken on an even better air, with gripping choreography and so many different types of dance.

Tickets for each of these performances can be purchased from a number of vendors, so do take a look at the Bolshoi Theatre’s website if you would like to catch a show. In Moscow, a visit to the theatre was always considered to be quite a festive occasion, and while some people do turn up wearing everyday clothing, people tend to dress up for the theatre here, so do join in with this to really make the most of your experience.

Travel |

|

18b – The Las Vegas Arts District

Signboard for 18b Arts District in Las Vegas.

James Mattil / Shutterstock.com

The 18b Arts District in Downtown Las Vegas, otherwise known as the Las Vegas Arts District, consists of an eclectic mix of independent art galleries, one-of-a-kind stores and unique eateries. Its name comes from the original Arts District that was created in 1988 when 18 blocks were set aside to encourage and boost the arts. Today, the 18b Arts District has sprawled out well beyond these original 18 blocks and is definitely a must-visit when in Vegas.

18b Art Galleries
The 18b Arts District is home to a number of exciting independent art galleries. 303 North Studio is owned by artist James Henninger and showcases upcoming and established artists from the Las Vegas and Los Angeles areas. The Brett Wesley Gallery features contemporary paintings, photography and sculpture, while Clay Arts Vegas focuses on ceramics, with fantastic exhibitions as well as classes. Gainsburg Studio is a stone carving studio that is always worth a visit, while Sandman Studios is run by an artist that specializes in glass etchings.

18b Shops
The shops in the 18b Arts District are beautifully diverse, and a stroll through the area will have you coming across a number of one-of-a-kind stores. For vintage clothing and accessories, head to Amberjoy’s Vintage Closet, as well as Electric Lemonade, a fun vintage and new lifestyle boutique. Armstrong’s Emporium is always a hot spot for antiques, while Corner Store Furniture Co. usually has some unique vintage furniture finds. JJC Clocks, Antiques and Collectables pride themselves on being the largest antique clock shop in the Tri-state area, and also boast quite an impressive rare clock collection. For those looking for gifts, Gaia Flowers specializes in sustainably grown flowers and locally made gifts, as well as stationary and other quirky items.

18b Restaurants
Las Vegas is known for its thriving food scene, and the restaurants found in 18b are the perfect reflection of this. Bar Bistro @ The Arts Factory is always a happening spot, because not only do they serve up some of the tastiest Latin fusion dishes in town, but they also have 16 art galleries, live music performances, body painting, and live artist painting sessions. Pop Up Pizza is another popular restaurant, mostly due to the quality of their food thanks to fresh ingredients, homemade tomato sauce, and the perfect crust. Casa Don Juan is a vibrant Mexican joint, while Bier Garten prides themselves on their “Beercraft and Foodery”, serving up a delectable selection of artisan sausages and craft beers. Just like many other thriving arts communities around the world, 18b caters well to vegans and vegetarians, with the Bronze Café and the Pura Vida Bakey and Bystro in particular, the latter of which serves up unforgettable Caribbean fusion dishes.

18b is also where First Friday is hosted each month, an arts festival that is considered to be the premier arts event in all of Las Vegas, attracting a diverse crowd, one-of-a-kind art, street performances, and guaranteed fun. The 18b Arts District is always an exciting area of Vegas to spend some time in, whether you have particular shops or restaurants in mind or are just browsing through the fantastic mix of offerings, so do check it out the next time you are in the city if you haven’t already done so.

Travel |

|

Best Cities for Lovers of Culture

While some cities around the world may seem slightly one-dimensional, there are others that are absolutely packed with culture, and are known around the world for being a cultural hot spot. When it comes to a city’s culture, its heritage, diversity, and involvement in the arts are all taken into account, and, if you are hoping to soak up plenty of culture on your next city break, these are the cities that you should consider visiting.

Paris.

Paris, France
The City of Lights can almost overwhelm visitors with the amount of culture that surrounds you wherever in Paris you go. With 24 national museums, and various other private ones, museum lovers will be in their element in Paris. The city also has a number of world-famous landmarks, from the Arc de Triomphe to the Eiffel Tower to the Notre Dame, and many of its chic boutiques could easily double as landmarks themselves! Paris is also the city with the largest number of public libraries, as well as cinemas, and has an impressive 353 performing arts theaters that support artistic talent and urban culture. Parisian culture is charming and intriguing, and needs to be experienced first-hand in order to be fully appreciated.

London

London, UK
You will never be short of cultural activities to fill your days with while in London, a city that is truly cosmopolitan yet has a strong sense of heritage. From visiting Buckingham Palace to taking a tour of the Tower of London to taking in a Shakespeare production at the Globe Theatre, the city is overflowing with culture. London’s culture is made even richer by the diversity that can be found around the city. Brick Lane is where you can enjoy the best Indian food outside of India, while Borough Market brings together food culture from all over the region. In addition to all of its national museums, London also has a massive 162 other museums, as well as an impressive range of music and art performances.

Kyoto

Kyoto, Japan
With great importance placed on history, tradition and art, Kyoto is a fantastic destination to visit for those who want to experience authentic Japanese culture. Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines, most of which date back to many centuries ago, are dotted throughout the city, and there is definitely a noticeable lack of the looming skyscrapers and flashy advertising campaigns that usually take over a developed city. Kyoto has managed to progress forward whilst retaining a strong grip on its heritage, and this applies to everything from its ponds and gardens to traditional cuisine. To fully immerse yourself in the culture and traditions of Kyoto, spend a night at a local ryokan inn, sampling some traditional dishes and getting to know the locals.

Spending time soaking up the culture in a new city is a great way to open up your mind and learn about different parts of the world, and you will also end up feeling much more attached to a destination that you would have otherwise felt.