Category Archive

Recently, MutualArt.com named this year’s most noteworthy exhibitions - from never-before-seen photographs by Frida Kahlo in San Francisco to Fernand Léger’s major works at Switzerland’s Fondation Beyeler in Basel and new creations by Holland’s design duo Victor & Rolf in London.

“For the first time, details on thousands of art exhibitions around the world are all available in one place - at Mutualart.com. This top 20 list will help holiday travelers plan the ultimate cultural excursions and see the shows that promise to be the talk of the summer art season,” said Moti Shniberg, founder and CEO of MutualArt.com.

US Exhibition Highlights

• Making It New: The Art and Style of Sara and Gerald Murphy (Dallas Museum of Art)
• Los Angelenos/Chicano Painters of L.A.: Selections from the Cheech Marin Collection (Los Angeles County Museum of Art)
• Gilbert & George (Milwaukee Art Museum)
• Everything’s Here: Jeff Koons and His Experience of Chicago (Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago)
• The Baroque World of Fernando Botero (New Orleans Museum of Art)
• Calder Jewelry (Philadelphia Museum of Art)
• Life on Mars, the 2008 Carnegie International (Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh)
• Frida Kahlo (San Francisco Museum of Modern Art)
• Louise Bourgeois (Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York City)
• Buckminster Fuller: Starting with the Universe (Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City)

International Exhibition Highlights

• Paul Klee, A Play of Forms (The Albertina in Vienna, Austria)
• 16th Biennale of Sydney: Revolutions - Forms That Turn (The Art Gallery of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia)
• The House of Viktor & Rolf (Barbican Centre in London, United Kingdom)
• Fernand Léger, Paris-New York (Fondation Beyeler in Basel, Switzerland)
• Masters from the Israel Museum’s Collection (The Israel Museum in Jerusalem, Israel)
• Time & Place: Milano-Torino 1958-1968 (Moderna Museet in Stockholm, Sweden)
• Y. Moralis. Traces (Museum of Contemporary Art, Basil & Elise Goulandris Foundation, in Andros, Greece)
• The 1930s: The Making of “The New Man” (National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa, Canada)
• Cy Twombly: Cycles and Seasons (Tate Modern in London, United Kingdom)
• Stray Alchemists (Ullens Center for Contemporary Art, Beijing, China)

For full descriptions of the exhibitions, visit www.mutualart.com.

On a side note, those interested in fashion might want to check out Valentino’s exhibition at Museé de la Mode in Paris before September 21. As you may know, he said goodbye to the fashion world with one last couture collection in Paris earlier this year. The Belgian fashion designer Véronique Branquinho’s retrospective exhibition at MoMu in Antwerpen, Belgium until August 19, could also be well worth a visit.

Ami Collé - Wonne Ma Ko

Just discovered this new artists, Ami Collé. I love her voice and the rhythm of Mbalax, a popular dance music of The Gambia and Senegal. According to Wikipedia, “Mbalax is a fusion of popular Western music and dance such as jazz, soul, Latin, and rock blended with sabar, the traditional drumming and dance music of Senegal. The genre’s name derived from the heavy use of accompanying rhythms used in sabar called mbalax.”

Promo Mbalax Mix by Black Identity

Sabar Dancing in Senegal

For tips on more Senegal and other African music, check out African Beat.

© Angela K. Nickerson, 2008

Based in Sacramento, California, teacher and art lover Angela K. Nickerson can now add author to her CV. Her book “A Journey Into Michelangelo’s Rome” hit the book stores in April and will without doubt inspire readers to visit the Italian capital.

Published by Roaring Forties Press in April 2008, A Journey into Michelangelo’s Rome follows Michelangelo from his arrival in Rome in 1496 to his death in the city almost seventy years later. Each chapter focuses on a particular work and gives a fascinating study of Roman culture, art, and politics. The book includes 14 black-and-white photographs, nearly 90 colour shots and 8 street maps allowing readers to discover Rome as Michelangelo knew it.

Angela K. Nickerson regularly leads tours to Rome and other European cities.

E.J: What do you think about the response to A Journey Into Michelangelo’s Rome so far?

A.N: It has been lovely!  The book has been featured in several publications including the Sacramento Bee, the Houston Chronicle, and ForeWord Magazine.  And so far the response has been overwhelmingly positive and supportive.  Additionally, travel blogs have picked it up as well.  I had great fun on Nerd’s Eye View where I ran a Micro Travel Writing Workshop.  And blogs all over the world - like Blissful Travel — have picked up on the book.  That’s a very exciting phenomenon and one that was a bit unexpected. 

E.J: What was your thought when entering the Sistine Chapel for the first time?

A.N: Deep and utter humility.  Goethe wrote, “Until you have seen the Sistine Chapel you have no adequate conception of what man is capable of accomplishing.”  He was right.  The colors are amazing.  The figures absolutely took my breath away.  And they are so huge.  I don’t think I was prepared for that.  I wept.  Openly wept. 

 

There’s a tiny piece of me that wishes I’d seen it before the restoration so that I could truly appreciate the brilliance of the colors now.  And my fantasy:  to have 30 minutes alone in the chapel so that I could lie on the floor and just look up.  Some day!

 

E.J: When did you decide to write A Journey Into Michelangelo’s Rome? And did you write the book from Rome or from the U.S.?

A.N: Well, I came to this project by luck, chance, divine intervention, and happenstance.  I used to teach literature, and I developed a course called “The Bible as Literature.”  To hook my students I used Michelangelo’s work as illustrations for the Biblical stories we studied.  Roaring Forties Press put out a call for proposals, and I knew that this was meant to be.  A Journey into Michelangelo’s Rome is truly a fusion of my great passions:  writing, travel, and art. 

 

I worked on the book primarily in the US, but I made several research trips.  I’d been to Rome many times, and it is one of my favorite places in the world.  So going back to take photographs and to do interviews… well, that was part of the pleasure in writing the book. 

 

© Angela K. Nickerson, 2008

E.J: For someone who has never been to the Sistine Chapel, when would you say is the best time to visit? What season, time of the day etc.?

A.N: Personally, I avoid Italy in the summer unless my goal is to just lie on the beach.  That’s not to say that it isn’t lovely year round.  It is!  But, the rest of the world descends on Italy in the summer - particularly on Rome.  I don’t like crowds or lines or paying high prices.  And if I don’t have to travel during high season, I don’t. 

 

The best time to travel:  late October, November, January, and February.  There aren’t any lines.  The weather is cool, but comfortable.  The tourists have all gone home, and you can walk through a museum at leisure. 

 

Now, going to see the Sistine Chapel… to see the Chapel, you must go to the Vatican Museums.  In July the line to enter the Museums can be up to a mile long.  It is quite incredible.  If you do go in the summer, get up early and be in line before 7 am.  Bring some snacks and a book to read (might I suggest A Journey into Michelangelo’s Rome) while you wait.  Truly, I have met some great people in line for the museum, too.  Be friendly!  People are generally convivial, and there’s a “we’re all in this together” spirit.

 

If you are not traveling during high season, it isn’t as important to get in line that early.  And at some times of the year you can walk in to the museums without much of a wait at all. 

 

Here’s what you should know:  the Museums have two doors - one for groups and one for individuals.  The ticket brokers who promise that you won’t have to wait in line for the Museums aren’t entirely truthful.  Some send other people to stand in line for you - or to cut the line, which really makes people behind you angry.  Others are selling tickets to join a larger group for a tour. The groups generally skip most of the museum and make their way straight to the Sistine Chapel.  And, buyer beware: there are a few who take your money and run.

 

For my money I suggest standing in line for a while and entering as an individual.  Go in November with a good friend, and take a book along to read while you wait.  Trust me:  it is worth it!

 

E.J: I recently heard about your upcoming trip to Italy. Would you like to tell us a bit more about it? Is the trip for anyone?

A.N: Yes!  It is a trip for anyone.  I have been taking these trips for a few years now, and my groups have included veteran travelers, people who have never been to Europe, older travelers, younger travelers… people of all kinds.  I take a maximum of 10 people at one time, so I can tailor the trip to the group’s pace and needs. 

 

We start in Florence, Michelangelo’s hometown.  Our hotel is one block from the Duomo. We go to see the big attractions in Florence - the David, the Uffizi Gallery, the Duomo - as well as the lesser-known works including Michelangelo’s Florentine Pieta.  We spend 5 nights in Florence exploring the charming city.  Then we take the train to Rome where we spend 7 nights in a converted monastery.  We visit St. Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, the Colosseum, Michelangleo’s Moses… and so much more. 

 

We walk both cities - no buses on these trips except for city buses.  I have created an itinerary that is flexible, but it is built around Michelangelo’s life.  In essence we DO A Journey into Michelangelo’s Rome.  And we have a great time!

 

Gregory Favre wrote a lovely travelogue after traveling with me in January.  You can read his article from the Sacramento Bee on my website (www.aknickerson.net), and you can also get more information about the trip.  The next one leaves in late October.  I am also available as a travel escort for families or small groups. 

 

My goal whether writing or traveling with a group is to create a framework for travelers.  So often I see tourists wandering through Rome looking totally overwhelmed clinging to a huge guidebook and clearly not sure what to make of the city.  I understand that.  Rome’s history is so rich, and there is something of significance around every corner.  A Journey into Michelangelo’s Rome filters all of that information.  It provides a theme for a trip through Rome and illustrates the connections between the ages. 

 

© Angela K. Nickerson, 2008

Editor’s Note: For more information about Angela K. Nickerson, visit http://aknickerson.blogspot.com or drop by her website at http://www.aknickerson.net.

 

Venice © Florin Florea

It’s spring-time in Venice, so why not go to see a show in English? A visit to the theatre is the perfect way to spend an evening in Venice. The only English-language theatre event in the city - audio translated into seven languages including Italian - is Carnival The Show which blends theatre, music and multimedia to tell the thrilling story of Venice using a sense-stimulating approach.

Six “live” actors perform in English, interacting with 11 concealed projectors in a maelstrom of images, sounds and colours that will plunge the audience deep into the dazzling history of the Most Serene Republic:

The year is 1913, war is looming on the horizon and we are on the eve of the last Carnival, which will be suspended for the next 75 years, partly because of the intervening world wars. We are in a celebrated costume-maker’s workshop, run for centuries by a Venetian family who are caught up in the whirlwind of preparations for the last great masked ball of the Carnival. Every costume, fabric and colour evokes a moment in the history of the Most Serene Republic: the first settlements in the lagoon, the theft of the body of St Mark, the glory of the Merchant Empire, Marco Polo’s journey to the East, the plaghe, the Battle of Lepanto, the birth of the Carnival, the Commedia dell’Arte, Casanova’s daring prison break…

The show is preceded by a delicious buffet where the audience can mingle with the actors.

Carnival The Show plays from April 21 to May 31:

4.30 pm - Show only; 45 euros per person

7.30 pm - Dinner & Show;  65 euros per person (instead of 79 euros!)

Children from 0 to 6 free, Student discount 59 euros

8 pm- Show only; 49 euros per person

For more information, contact Teatro San Gallo or head over to http://www.venice-carnival-show.com/ where you can read more about the show.  

 

Ingrid Michaelson - The Way I Am

I have a feeling this will be a looong post.

Music takes you through the bad as well as the good times, when you’re at home or travelling. Like doing the things you love, music makes life worth living. I know for sure that my love for discovering new music will never end. I have Move to Bremerton, a Popagandhi post on music, to thank for my latest “find” - The Way I Am by Ingrid Michaelson. Beautiful song.

I’ve lots of music memories. Especially remember one evening spent with friends and family at the beach in Frösakull, Sweden. A barbecue, sand beneath my feet, the sound of the sea, a light breeze, the sunset, and Van Morrison’s Brown Eyed Girl from someome’s portable CD player. I think I was ten.     

Around midnight in Frösakull another summer, the heavy rain cause everyone at the party to move into someone’s veranda. Kids my age and grown-ups sit down around a large wooden table while one guy, a real bon vivant, gets his guitar and suggests karaoke. First up, Queen’s We Will Rock You. Before the first verse, “Buddy you’re a boy make a big noise…”, we bang our hands on the table. No one misses a beat. I’ve loved that song ever since.  

The same goes for Bonnie Tyler. My parents, my sister and I used to listen to her during the 9-hour drive to Åre, the small ski resort in northern Sweden where we often spent our winter holidays.

Bonnie Tyler - Have You Ever Seen The Rain  

Have You Ever Seen The Rain was my favourite, eventually I knew all her songs by heart.

I didn’t know the songs by Elvis Costello, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder and Bryan Adams on my dad’s vinyl records that well. Sometimes I wished he would give them to me. I never bought my own LP discs, instead I put my money on CDs. When I was 14 and found Lauryn Hill’s The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill in a record store in Stockholm, I made up my mind at once. After seeing a cover on her Can’t Take My Eyes Off You at a Swedish TV show the same year I knew I had to buy her album.

Lauryn Hill - Turn The Lights Down Low

I like nearly all Lauryn’s songs, especially the ones at her live album MTV Unplugged No. 2.0 - mostly because of the brilliant lyrics.

India Arie - Ready For Love

When I discovered India Arie and her Strenght, Courage & Wisdom, it resulted in three Chinese signs on my left ankle. Now I want another small tattoo meaning love, after Ready For Love.

Daniel Lemma - Keeps Getting Better

I will never forget the first time I heard the Swedish artist Daniel Lemma’s soulful voice, or when I heard Greek music - first at a taverna in Parga, then during a long bus drive to Meteora, on a boat from Lefkada to Kefalonia, and in my one-bedroom apartment in Zurich because the Greek family living below played loud Greek music each Friday night, every weekend. Apart from them, I suspect I was the only one in the building who actually enjoyed it.

I’m deliberately looking for songs that truly touch my heart. Almost always when meeting new people - whether it’s face-to-face or online - I ask about their music taste. Except for the chance to discover a new talent, it’s quite fun to check people’s MP3- or iPod playlists.       

Otis Redding - I’ve been loving you…

Both me and my sis loves rock, but while I’m also into soul by Otis Redding, Al Green, Sam Cooke and Aretha Franklin, she prefers metal and emo rock. It was thanks to her I started listening to My Chemical Romance, Foo Fighters, Babyshambles and Ozzy Osbourne. Soul is better though.   

The Cranberries’ songs also top my list of favourite music. I first heard this Irish band during my summer job as a personal assistant in Haverdal, Sweden, in 2003. My 24-year-old, water pipe-loving co-worker who recently got home from travelling in Israel often played her Cranberries albums at work. It was love at first hearing.

When I went to France as an au-pair the following year, I was introduced to various French artists. Five-year-old Emelie showed me her CD by Jenifer, the first winner of Star Academy - the French equivalence to American Idol. On weekdays at 7pm even Emelie’s 1-year-old sister Eléonore sat totally sticked to the TV, watching this year’s season which apperantly was a really big hit in France.

While working in Zurich in 2005 I had a Portuguese penpal who sent me a CD of Keane, and another one with so called skank. And in London two years ago when my Swedish flatmate let me copy all music from her laptop, I found 3 Doors Down.  The same year I discovered Eva Cassidy at a café in Greenwich.

After a few months in London I spent a couple of weeks at my parents house in Sweden before setting my sights on Malmö, a multicultural city in the southernmost part of the country. There I first heard the reggae singer Alpha Blondy, thanks to a guy living in the same student hall. At the same time I started to like Ben Harper and Jack Johnson more. And Matisyahu.  

Last year I came across the singer Atif Aslam. I have no idea what he says, but can’t resist loving his voice.

Atif Aslam - Adaat

Listen to Adaat, Woh Lamhe and Doorie.

Music sources are everywhere… record stores, magasines, websites, ads, people, TV, film, movies.

The Lion King - Hakuna Matata

If I had to pick a cartoon, I’d have to go with the Disney hit The Lion King.

Coldplay - The Scientist

Coldplay’s The Scientist and Stereophonic’s Maybe Tomorrow from Wicker Park are also impossible not to love… at least for me.

All Saints - Pure Shores

Whenever I hear All Saint’s Pure Shores I think of that hot scene with Richard (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Françoise (Virginie Ledoyen) in The Beach.

I also like to watch What Women Want and listen to Frank Sinatra’s Too Marvelous For Words, I Won’t Dance, and I’ve Got You Under My Skin. I love the part when Mel Gibson dances around in his Manhattan loft. The music combined with the view and Gibson’s improvised dance make a terrific scene. 

And the next time you see Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, pay attention to Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word by Mary J Blige.

And, not to forget, my absolute favorites… musicals.

RENT - Out Tonight and Another Day

Rosario Dawson surely does a great performance.

Annie - You’re Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile

I first saw the musical Annie at Oskarsteatern in Stockholm several years ago, have lost count how many times I’ve seen the film.

Dirty Dancing - Hungry Eyes

A true classic.

Grease - You’re The One That I Want

The best scene in Grease.

Moulin Rouge - Lady Marmalade

Sexy.

The Sound of Music - Do-Re-Mi

Have loved The Sound of Music ever since I saw it in 2nd or 3rd grade.

The Sound of Music - So Long, Farewell

Gretl (the youngest girl) is sooo cute at the end of this song.

Irene Cara - Fame

Won’t forget Fame at the theatre Göta Lejon in Stockholm 2004. Is it possible not to love this film?

Aida - How I Know You

Beautiful melody.

Aida on Broadway

If they still play Aida on Broadway, go see it.

Let’s return to movies…

Nonpoint - In the Air Tonight

The music in Miami Vice ranges from Nonpoint’s cover on In the Air Tonight and Sinnerman (felix da housecat’s heavenly house mix) to Auto Rock by Mogwai, Moby’s One of These Mornings, and Arranca from the sensual dance scene between Crocket (Colin Farrell) and Isabella (Li Gong). If anyone know where I can find a clip from that scene, please let me know.

And don’t forget Carlos Varela’s Una Palabra from the end scene in Man on Fire, In the Deep by Bird York from the soudtrack to Crash, or the mix of Chaiyya Chayyia by Sukhwinder Singh & Sapna Awasthi from Inside Man.

Learn Languages Through Music

I love hearing music in other languages and often listen to non-english songs to learn new words and expressions. Lately Hindi because I’ve wanted to learn the language ever since middle school when I decided I’d travel to India someday. A while ago I searched for Indian music online and found a song from the movie Salaam Namaste. It will be interesting to see if I eventually manage to understand what they say.

 Salaam Namaste - My Dil Goes Mmmm

Watch it, it’s funny!

Bombay Dreams

Bombay Dreams by Aneela from the Swedish movie Bombay Dreams.

Jennifer Lopez - Que Hiciste

For practising Spanish, I recommend Jennifer Lopez, Don Omar, Gloria Estefan, Manu Chao and Paola & Chiara.

Per Gessle - Sommartider

 
In case you’re interested in learning some Swedish, you can listen to Per Gessle…

Lars Winnerbäck - Dunkla Rum

Lars Winnerbäck…

Lisa Nilsson - Himlen runt hörnet

or Lisa Nilsson.

Whatever you do, keep listening to music!

 

 

 

 

Even though a song by a homeless man in a street corner might linger in your mind a long time, it probably doesn’t beat the spectacular celebrations of the spring’s arrival in Nashville. The city officially named April “Awesome April in Music City” and for the sixth year in row, visitors can expect festivals, award shows, concerts and exhibitions.

“It’s going to be another awesome month for this city,” said Butch Spyridon, president of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Six years ago we began to collectively market all of the unique events happening in April. We have seen strong growth in attendance at each event and visitor spending has increased dramatically.”  

The festivities kick of March 30 with a country music concert at the Sommet Center featuring performers like Marshal Reign, Trailer Choir, Stephen Cochran, Bucky Covington and Lee Brice.  

At the beginning of April, Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival presents more than 250 songwriters and 75 shows set in small venues all over Nashville. You can buy a limited pass at Tin Pan South.

The GMA Dove Awards, the biggest night for Christian and gospel music, takes place at the Grand Ole Opry House on Wednesday April 23 as a finale of GMA Music Week. The event brings together signed and independent artists, church leaders, agents, managers, promoters, record company executives, songwriters, and other people from the gospel music industry.

Other events include Etta James at the Wildhorse Saloon (April 8), Il Trovatore at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center (April 10 & 12), CMT Music Awards (April 14), Nashville Film Festival (April 17-24), The Moody Blues at Ryman Auditorium (April 18), Elvis Costello at Ryman Auditorium (April 23), Bon Jovi at the Sommet Center (April 24), and Romeo & Juliet by Nashville Ballet at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center (April 25-27).  

For an up-to-date listing, see the events calendar on Awesome April in Music City.

Downtown Nashville

“The Promise of Nashville, where the music is inspired, created, recorded and performed, is to provide the ultimate musical entertainment experience, celebrated throughout our diverse cultural and entertainment offerings, and presented in an authentic, unique, friendly and unpretentious atmosphere”.

- Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau

Who doesn’t like free events and places with free entrance? Luckily, Europe has a lot of them.

For example, in the lobby to the National Theatre in London you can listen to live music (often jazz) Monday to Saturday evenings. Upcoming artists include the Japanese singer Eriko Ishihara, Pete Letanka, Gustavo Marques and classic jazz and soul vocalist Julie KcKee. More information at Foyer Music.

Galeries Lafayette © Wouter Pinkhof

In Paris, Galeries Lafayette holds a fashion show each Friday at 3pm. And in Madrid, Museo Nacional del Prado - where you can enjoy paintings by Rubens, Boticelli and Goya - has free entrance every Sunday. The only part I’ve seen of Madrid so far is the airport so the next time I’m in the Spanish capital I will definitely visit Museo del Prado.

Sevilla © Oliver Brandt

If you happen to pass by Seville in south Spain, remember that Seville Cathedral has free entrance every Sunday 2.30- 6pm.
 

Thanks to the Swedish skate, surf and snow magazine Transition, I found some good tips on stores, art galleries and places to visit in Los Angeles.  

American Apparel - 104 S Robertson Blvd, West Hollywood

Arcana: Books on the Arts - 1229 3rd Street Promenade, Santa Monica

BLK/MKRT Gallery - 6009 Washington Blvd, Culver City

District Skateboarding and Surf Shop - 12015 Venice Blvd, Venice

Fred Segal - 420 / 500 Broadway, Santa Monica

Green Sector - 19641 Ventura Blvd, Tarzana

The Lab 101 - 8530-B Washington Blvd, Culver City

New Image Art - 1005 N Fairfax, West Hollywood 

The Roxy Theatre - 9009 W Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood

Val Surf - 4810 Whitsett Ave, North Hollywood

Volcom - 126 S La Brea Ave, West Hollywood

WE - 114 S Robertson Blvd, Beverly Hills  

Linköping Jazz & Blues Festival is a must for all jazz and blues lovers. The festival takes place in Linköping Konsert & Kongress (Consert & Congress) Saturday 5th April 2008. From four o’clock in the afternoon to an hour after midnight, 300 artists, including the Swedish jazz singer Victoria Tolstoy, will perform on 12 different stages. 

42nd Street © Erwin Alonzo

If I lived near 42nd Street I would probably go to the theatre at least once a week. I absolutely love musicals. For people visiting New York City, I think an evening at the theatre is a must.

My all-time favourite musicals are:  

1. Annie.

I love Annie, the young orphan girl who gets the chance to leave Miss Hannigan’s miserable orphanage and live with the wealthy Oliver Warbucks. I first saw Annie at the theatre Göta Lejon in Stockholm when I was 14, and the film was one of my favourites as a kid. 

2. Fame

Sometimes I used to wish I had the opportunity to study at New York City’s High School for the Performing Arts on 46th Street. The musical follows a group of students as they struggle with demanding school work, identity issues, prejudices, sexuality, love, and their determination to succeed.    

3. Rent

Set in Alphabet City in the bohemian East Village, Rent is a rock musical inspired by Puccini’s opera La Boheme. I saw it with my family in Stockholm several years ago, would love to see the English version.

4. Aida

When we booked Broadway tickets to Aida in 2004, I knew nothing about the musical drama based on Guiseppe Verdi’s opera with the same name. I was pleasantly surprised by the performance, the moving story, Elton John’s music, and the lyrics by Tim Rice. I especially remember the song ‘How I know You’. Definitely worth seeing.

5. Chess

Also Chess has lyrics by Tim Rice. The story involves two players in the world chess championship and the woman who falls in love with one of them. Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson from the Swedish pop group Abba wrote the music.

    

Until June 30, you can visit 14 French national museums and historic sites without needing to pay anything. Normally most national museums offer one free open-house day a month, but this six-month try out guarantees free entrance to some of the best museums in the country.

In Paris, the museums include the Musée Cluny, the Musée Guimet, Arts et Métiers, the renaissance museum at Ecouen, the national archeology museum of St. Germain-en-Laye, and the Bourget museum of Air and Space. Also, the Pompidou Center offers free entrance for 18-25-year-olds to its contemporary art shows Wednesday evenings, the Orsay is free on Thursday evenings, and the Louvre doesn’t charge on Friday evenings.

A dear friend of mine says you either hate or love the opera. After perusing High Culture on a Low Budget by Olivia Giovetti, it’s clearly that she loves it. The closest I’ve ever come to an opera experience is through movies, the latest Woody Allen’s Match Point. I’m pretty sure I would love it though and Olivia’s Paris: Opera National de Paris, Prague: Prague Opera, and Moscow: The Bolshoi Opera definitely pique my curiosity.  

I first heard about High Culture on a Low Budget through Europe A La Carte Blog’s Guest interview with Olivia and couldn’t resist checking it out. This savvy, informative blog is a must for anyone into the world of art, music and dance. Olivia has written about, among other things, ballet in Amsterdam, Portuguese art, Liverpool’s Tate Museum, St John’s Smith Square (apparently one of the best concert venues in the British capital), poetry readings in Barcelona, the Berlin Philharmonic, and the Royal College of Music, the oldest and biggest music school in Scandinavia.  

Previous posts include Vienna: Haus der Musik, my all time favourite Zurich: Tonhalle Orchester, Paris: Vive la Revolution des Musees!, Paris: Opera Garnier (and Beyond), Budapest: Budapest State Opera, and the most recent Zagreb: Strossmayer’s Old Masters Gallery, Aberdeen: The Scottish Ballet and Genova: Musei di Strada Nuova.

Before booking that weekend trip to Vienna, Prague, Paris, St Petersburg or any other European city, make sure to head over to High Culture on a Low Budget for up-to-date tips from an insider’s point of view. Who doesn’t want to know where to go for the best deals on exhibitions, museums, opera, theatre and classical concerts?

I just can’t get enough of the Moroccan music from the Kenza Restaurant & Lounge website. When I travel to London I’ll have to go to this place and ask if they give out their music on CD. The three eastern influenced songs are like a fusion of world, lounge and ethnic remixes. The first song is good, the second is ok, the third I can listen to over and over again.   

One of the things I love about travelling is all the music you discover when coming to different cities. But even though I know I will hear lots of new sounds, my MP3 player or iPod often follows me wherever and whenever I travel.

Recommended Artists

Lissie - Lissie who resides in Hollywood, California, plays acoustic, rock and indie, and is now going on tour opening for Lenny Kravitz. Not many voices truly touches my heart, but hers really does.

Elohim Marino - At Elohim Marino’s MySpace I read “Elohim Marino is versatile, unique and timeless. He is street, political and conscious. His music is food for thought. The very soul of a genre, He is Hip-hop.” I couldn’t agree more. His album Son Of HipHop clearly shows what authentic hip hop is all about.

Roe - Roe is hip-hop, rap and R&B. My favourite song Winter’s Sun is no longer available on Roe’s MySpace, but his other songs are definitely worth listening to.  

Lili Roquelin - Singer-songwriter Lili Roquelin sings poetical, deep, and captivating alternative trip-hop. My words probably won’t make her music justice. You have to hear it for yourself.

Silver and Gold - Acoustic music at its best. Listen to Shine on little star and you might understand what I mean.

Lemon - Listen to singer, songwriter Roger Smith in Lemon if you’re into pop, soul and electronica.

The New York Public Library © Simona Dumitru

The most beautiful libraries in the world are historic and magical places where culture meets architecture. In The Most Beautiful Libraries in the World, the authors Guillaume de Laubier and Jacques Bosser, and photographer James H. Billington share their views of these architectural gems. Some of the libraries featured in the book are The New York Public Library, Library of the Institut de France, The Senate Library in Paris, Vatican Library in Rome, Boston Athenaeum and one of my favourites which is the National Library of Austria in Vienna.

A popular photo motive in Harlem - apart from the classical brownstone houses - is The Apollo Theater at 253rd West 125th Street between Adam Clayton Blvd and Frederick Douglas Blvd. Lauryn Hill is one of many artists who made the debut in front of a bigger audience here. The Apollo amateur nights start every Wednesday at 7.30pm. Previous contest winners include Mary J. Blige, Angie Stone, Bob Marley & The Wailers, Fugees, Otis Redding, Prince, Stevie Wonder, India Arie, Aretha Franklin, Jay-Z, and Alicia Keyes.

If you happen to be in New York City on a Sunday morning, take the subway to 116th Street in Harlem where there are more Baptist Churches than in any other part of New York City. The gospel service begins at ten and can sometimes be heard from the street. We discovered a beautiful Baptist Church at St. Nicholas Avenue between Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd and Lenox Ave/Malcolm X Blvd not far from Central Park. I had never heard gospel before and everything was such a contrast to the reserved atmosphere in Swedish churches - in a good way.

Traveling through films is an amazing way to experience a place without even needing to leave the comfort of your own home. It is definitely not a substitute for traveling, but perfect to get inspiration, ideas and insights. I remember when I saw Gorillas in the Mist when I was about 11-years-old and how fascinated I became by Dian Fossey, the scientists who spent almost two decades of studying the mountain gorillas in Africa’s rainforests. Since then I’ve always wanted to go mountain gorilla tracking in the rainforests of Uganda or Rwanda.

After Thelma & Louise I was determined to do a road trip across USA some time, preferably from the east to the west coast. And K2, one of my favourite movies as a kid, made me want to try mountain climbing.

When I was 15 and saw The Beach I became intrigued by the idea of backpacking in Thailand, starting on Khao San Road in Bangkok and end the trip a month or two later on Koh Phi Phi Leh.

Another place I feel attracted to because of a film is Alaska. I think I was 10-years old when I saw A Perfect World for the first time, I had never even heard about Alaska back then. The film is about the prisoner Butch (Kevin Costner) who kidnaps a young boy as protection and flees across Texas. At one time Butch says he’s going to Alaska and I remember I thought “if this man who just escaped from prison chooses to go to Alaska of all the places in the world, it must be a truly special and beautiful place.” Butch’s face expression and the way he spoke about it made me think “some time I will travel there too.” I got the same thought when I saw The Motorcycle Diaries in a half empty cinema in Grenoble in 2004. Since that day, South America has been on top of my list of places to visit.   

Wicker Park and The Weather Man, both shot in a wintry Chicago, make me want to travel to “the windy city”. In Her Shoes and Rocky almost make me fall in love with Philadelphia. After The Big Blue I knew I had to see Amorgos in Greece, Sicily in Italy and Corsica in France. Man on Fire, Amores perros and Babel make me curious about Mexico. Blue Crush captures the surf culture on Hawaii in such a great way I want to experience it by myself. After Lost in Translation I longed for Tokyo, Park Hyatt Tokyo and Kyoto. And City of Angels has so many beautiful shots of the L.A skyline I just know I have to see it one day.

8 Mile make me think of the day when we tried to get out of Detroit and drove the wrong way on 8 mile. After seeing Imagine Me & You, Notting Hill and Match Point I love London even more, especially Primrose Hill and Portobello Road. When I miss Paris I watch Amelie or Before Sunset, if I miss Vienna I see Before Sunrise.

I often find myself missing New York. Luckily it’s one of the most popular places to shoot a movie, if I wanted to I wouldn’t have to go a day without seeing this great city. Miracle on 34^th Street, West Side Story, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, The Godfather, Mean Streets, Taxi Driver, New York, New York, Saturday Night Fever, Annie Hall, Manhattan, Hair, Fame, Wall Street, Big, Cocktail, Working Girl, When Harry Met Sally, Carlito’s Way, Sleepless in Seattle, As Good as it Gets, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, You’ve Got Mail, Rent, Sidewalks of New York, Vanilla Sky, Autumn in New York, Heights, Stepmom, Analyze This, Analyze That, Big Daddy, Eyes Wide Shut, The Thomas Crown Affair, New York Waiting, The Devil Wears Prada, Coyote Ugly, Maid in Manhattan, Shortbus, Anything Else, The Family Man, Finding Forrester, Kate & Leopold, Kissing Jessica Stein, Serendipity, 25^th Hour, Uptown Girls, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, When Will I Be Loved, 13 Going on 30, Alfie, Little Black Book, Hitch, In Good Company, The Interpreter, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Prime, 16 Blocks, Just My Luck, The Nanny Diaries and Rush Hour 3 are some films shot in New York City. 

I can’t deny that traveling through movies is enjoyable, but the real deal is without a doubt better.   

Stockholm Tango Festival from the 27th to 31st December 2007 welcomes both beginners and experienced tango dancers. A highly recommended event, but for the most authentic tango experience you should travel to Argentina.    

Tango show in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Tango on the street in La Boca, Argentina

Bangkok Jazz Festival from the 8 - 9 December will attract both Thais and foreigners. Since 2003, Terminal Xtra Entertainment has been organizing the festival at Sanam Sua Pa with local performers and world class jazz artists from various countries.

 Montreux Jazz Festival © Joanna Griekspoor

The coast between Vevey, Montreux and Villeneuve is called the Swiss Riviera, when we walked along the waterside it just hit me how stunning Montreux is. A long pedestrian walk starts at Villeneuve - not far from the French border - and continues past Montreux all the way to Vevey. An hour’s stroll along the lakeside is more than enough because it’s not for the sake of walking you visit Montreux. It’s for the atmosphere, the incredible view across Lake Geneva and the mountains, the overall beauty of the place and - of course - the annual Montreux Jazz Festival.

Our stopover was in 2005, one day before the jazz festival, but I still remember it as if it was yesterday. Even though I enjoyed Montreux I was a bit disappointed we couldn’t stay and listen to Norah Jones and the other artists at the festival the following day. But we had to return to our au-pair jobs in Zurich after the weekend. However, I really recommend Montreux Jazz Festival. People we spoke with, including an old couple who was in Montreux for the third time in a row, had only good things to say about the event.

 

Edinburgh Buildings © Steve Roberts

Edinburgh, with all its historic buildings and impressing sights, is certainly worth a visit. But each August, the city draws visitors for another reason - the world’s largest international book festival. This year, Edinburgh International Book Festival will be held August 11th -27th. The popular event attracts writers and readers of all ages, both from the UK and abroad.

In 2004, UNESCO named Edinburgh the first “City of literature” and this Scottish city definitely lives up to the title. While you stay in Edinburgh, don’t miss a meal at the Elephant House at 21 George IV Bridge Street where J.K Rowling wrote parts of Harry Potter, watch a classic play at the Royal Lyceum Theatre, listen to a reading at the Scottish Poetry Library at 5 Crichton’s Close or maybe even take a break from the literature in the Botanical Gardens.

Botanical Gardens Edinburgh © Steve Roberts