GaylordHotels’ Four Resorts Offer SummerFest Events, Activities Including DreamWorks Experience

Dancing Fountains, a nightly event, in the spectacular atrium of the Gaylord National, a premier resort just outside Washington DC. Gaylord Hotels are offering SummerFest, with special activities and events all summer © 2013 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

Gaylord Hotels’ SummerFest, is offering family vacationers an exciting line-up of special events and activities available all summer long – from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend at all four Gaylord Hotels.

Located in or near Washington, D.C., Nashville, Orlando and Dallas, the four Gaylord Hotels are destinations unto themselves. Each property’s design provides a stunning backdrop for relaxing fun, whether it’s a family vacation or a couple’s getaway, with entertainment, art and architecture celebrating each area’s local history. Best of all – and new for SummerFest – guests can now earn Marriott Rewards points when they stay at Gaylord Hotels.

As part of SummerFest, guests can enjoy the Summer DreamWorks experience and vacation with the beloved characters from DreamWorks Animation films such as Shrek, Kung Fu Panda, Puss In Boots and Madagascar. Interactive DreamWorks-themed activities created exclusively for kids and families will make their stays unforgettable. At each resort, guests will also discover dining options overseen by award-winning chefs who showcase regional delicacies, full-service spas and salons, indoor and outdoor pools, access to golf, shopping and much more. Or, with convenient transportation options available at each resort to local attractions, guests can set off on excursions to explore the exciting offerings found in each region.

SummerFest at Gaylord National Resort (National Harbor, Md.)
Gaylord National, the premiere waterfront resort on the Potomac River and a gateway to Washington, D.C., will embody all-American fun this summer. Guests will enjoy spectacular fireworks shows over the river, food and drink specials, nightly sunset toasts, a weekly Artisanal Cheese Class hosted by the hotel’s Maitre d’Fromage, splashin’ fun at the pool and adjacent sundeck overlooking the waterfront, and exclusive summer spa treatments. Kids and families are in for a treat with the Summer DreamWorks Experience, an exciting array of activities featuring favorite characters from DreamWorks Animation films such as Shrek, Madagascar, Puss In Boots and Kung Fu Panda. Exclusive events include DreamWorks Dance Parties and the Madagascar Crack-A-Lackin’ Cook-In (character dining). Just steps from the resort, guests can explore the exciting destination of National Harbor, Maryland, which offers dozens of restaurants, shops, art galleries, nightlife venues and weekly outdoor events such as movies along the waterfront, live musical performances, an open-air street market, and popular summer festivals such as the Chesapeake Crab & Beer Festival. For packages and more information, go to www.gaylordhotels.com/summerfest.

SummerFest at Gaylord Opryland Resort (Nashville, Tenn.)
Gaylord Opryland brings the toe-tapping magic of Music City to life with live entertainment and easy access to Nashville’s most popular attractions, including the Grand Ole Opry, General Jackson Showboat, Wildhorse Saloon, and the historic Ryman Auditorium. This summer, guests will enjoy live music, culinary tours and demonstrations, carriage and Delta flatboat rides, and many other engaging events all season long. Families are especially in for a treat with the Summer DreamWorks Experience, an exciting array of activities featuring favorite characters from DreamWorks Animation films such as Shrek, Madagascar, Puss In Boots and Kung Fu Panda. Exclusive events include DreamWorks Experience Meet & Greets, Saturday Family Fun Nights, the Madagascar Crack-A-Lackin’ Cook-In (character dining), and DreamWorks-themed pool parties. For packages and more information, go to www.gaylordhotels.com/summerfest.

SummerFest at Gaylord Palms Resort (Kissimmee, Fla.)
SummerFest at Gaylord Palms is a great way to celebrate what the sunshine state is famous for: sun, music and fun! Guests will enjoy family entertainment, live music, and drink and dining specials all summer long, from our Key West Sunset Celebrations to specialty craft beers in our Wreckers Beer Garden. Kids and families are in for a treat with the Summer DreamWorks Experience, an exciting array of activities featuring favorite characters from DreamWorks Animation films such as Shrek, Madagascar and Kung Fu Panda. Exclusive events include DreamWorks Experience Meet & Greets, ShrekFeast (character dining), afternoon poolside games and the Crack-A-Lackin’ Pool Party at the fabulous Cypress Springs Family Fun Water Park with four water slides, Tree House water play structure and “Toddler Bay.” For packages and more information, go to www.gaylordhotels.com/summerfest.

SummerFest at Gaylord Texan Resort (Grapevine, Texas)
Located on the shores of beautiful Lake Grapevine (close to Dallas/Ft. Worth), Gaylord Texan celebrates the spirit and unique beauty of the Lone Star State with four-and-a-half acres of gardens and regionally inspired architecture under glass. This summer, guests will enjoy live entertainment such as strolling characters, magicians, stilt walkers and face painters, firework shows every Friday night, culinary events and classes such as junior chef camps, adult cooking classes, poolside music and mimosas, pool parties at Paradise Springs – the resort’s 10-acre pool and lazy river complex, acrylic painting classes for adults and kids, a Texas atrium art tour, sunrise yoga, spa specials and live music all season long. Families are especially in for a treat with the Summer DreamWorks Experience, an exciting array of activities featuring favorite characters from DreamWorks Animation films such as Shrek, Madagascar, Puss In Boots and Kung Fu Panda. Exclusive events include DreamWorks Experience Meet & Greets and the Madagascar Crack-A-Lackin’ Cook-In (character dining). For packages and more information, go to www.gaylordhotels.com/summerfest.

As part of the Marriott family of brands, Gaylord Hotels® is a collection of hotels and upscale resorts that afford endless opportunities for leisure travelers and conventioneers. The brand’s hallmark—“everything in one place”—provides guests with diverse dining options, quality spa and fitness center services, top-notch entertainment, on-site shopping and endless activities. Gaylord Hotels is a pioneer in the hotel and convention industry with properties in the nation’s most desirable destinations. Gaylord Hotels properties include Gaylord Opryland® in Nashville, Tenn.; Gaylord Palms® in Kissimmee, Fla. (near Orlando); Gaylord Texan® in Grapevine, Texas (near Dallas); Gaylord National® in National Harbor, Md. (near Washington, D.C.); and The Inn at Opryland® in Nashville, Tenn. For more information, visit http://www.GaylordHotels.com.

Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) is a leading lodging company based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, with more than 3,800 properties in 74 countries and territories and reported revenues of nearly $12 billion in fiscal year 2012. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 18 brands. For more information or reservations, visit our web site at www.marriott.com.

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Tickets on Sale for BBC Proms 2013, Two-Month Music Festival in London Featuring Musical Firsts

Tickets are now on sale for the 2013 BBC Proms, a two-month festival in London featuring 92 concerts  and many musical firsts including Daniel Barenboim  first time conducting Wagner’s Ring Cycle.

For those who want to attend the 119th BBC Proms season this summer, opening at the Royal Albert Hall on Friday, July 12. now is the time to book a London hotel.

In a series of firsts, this will be Barenboim’s first time conducting Wagner and it’s the first time the complete Wagner Ring Cycle will have been played at the Proms in one summer, with four concerts performed in the week beginning Monday 22nd July. Barenboim’s concerts are not the only Proms events marking the 200th anniversary of Richard Wagner’s birth, and there are also significant anniversaries for bicentenarian Giuseppe Verdi, and the centenary of Benjamin Britten.

The 2013 festival will be the first in Proms history to have the last night conducted by a woman. Marin Alsop, a New Yorker who has spent time in the UK including a stint as chief conductor of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, is joined by mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato, violinist Nigel Kennedy and the BBC Symphony Orchestra for the rousing Last Night of the Proms on Saturday, September 7, 2013.

It was also be the first Proms to include an ‘Urban Classic Prom’, to be broadcast on BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra, which will combine music by the German modernist Hans Werner Henze and the Soviet futurist Alexander Mosolov with performances by singers Faser, Laura Mvula and Maverick Sabre. The first BBC Radio 6 Music Prom, on Monday 12th August, will also appeal to a younger audience with Cerys Matthews, Laura Marling and The Stranglers all performing live at the Royal Albert Hall.

The 2013 season brings the first ever free main evening Prom with the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain and youth choirs from the UK and Ireland performing Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, also known as the ‘Choral’ Symphony, on Sunday, August 11, 2013.

Many well-loved Proms favourites return to the festival in 2013 including the Doctor Who Proms which makes a third visit to the Proms in the year that the BBC television celebrates 50 years on our screens. Nigel Kennedy returns and not only plays on the Last Night of the Proms for the first time but also plays at the Proms in the Park on the same night as well as playing in a Late Night performance of Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons on Thursday August 8.

Leading concert pianist Stephen Hough performs on the First Night of the Proms, on Friday, July 12, when the festival opens with a 450-strong choir, and the premiere of Julian Anderson’s Harmony performed by the BBC Symphony Orchestra.

Every Prom is broadcast live on BBC Radio 3 but with tickets starting from GBP5, and with such a huge variety of music to choose from, the best way to enjoy the events is by going in person to experience the unique atmosphere of the Royal Albert Hall.

Tickets are now on sale and the season opens on Friday July, 12 2013.

To find out the best events in London this summer go to LondonTown.com where a host of useful information is given including the latest listings for opera, classical music, dance and ballet. With over 18 years of experience, the website is the place to go to for informative and unbiased reviews on everything you need to know about the UK’s capital city.

LondonTown.com is the number one Internet site for London. With over 18 years of experience assisting visitors to the capital, they pride themselves on their customer service and editorial independence – no advertising or paid for content is allowed. The LondonTown.com team assist in finding cheap London hotels, sightseeing tours, ticket information and events.

http://www.LondonTown.com

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Summer in Tahoe South, ‘America’s Best Lake,’ is Packed with Entertainment, Celebrities, Recreation-Adventure Events

Remember summer camp? Intense and fleeting, full of traditions, camp was the bright beacon in the depths of winter. Tahoe South offers its own rituals of the season: sun-drenched beaches, Grammy winning artists on outdoor stages, family events and outdoor recreation, the country’s biggest celebrity golf tournament, fireworks, and enough nightlife to put the wild side into summer. (http://www.tahoesouth.com)

Voted by USA Today readers as “America’s Best Lake,” Tahoe South visitors can expect the best this summer with warm summer days, countless adventures and entertainment venues that brim with high endurance.

MUSIC, STAGE STARS AND SPORTS GREATS

A powerhouse lineup of sports legends including Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, Oscar de la Hoya, and Bodie Miller will join entertainers Ray Romano and Jack Wagner for the 24th annual American Century Championship, July 16-21, 2013. (www.TahoeCelebrityGolf.com).

More than 80 of the brightest sports and entertainment stars and celebrities will tee it up at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course, vying for the $125,000 winner’s share of the $600,000 purse. First-timers this year include NFL Hall of Famer John Randle; former NFL Pro-Bowl wide receiver Andre Reed; former NBA All-Star Detlef Schrempf and former MLB All-Star Tim Wakefield.

Harrah’s Outdoor Concert Series, an annual South Shore favorite, features a star-studded lineup: Steve Miller Band, June 22; Tim McGraw, July 16; Rascal Flatts and The Band Perry, July 19; Phish, July 30-31; FUN with Tegan and Sara, Aug. 27; Brad Paisley, Aug. 30 and Dave Matthews Band, Sept. 4. Shows are anticipated to sell out. In the meantime, showroom entertainment includes: Roy Rogers & The Delta Rhythm Kings, April 27; Sammy Hagar, May 3-4; Super Diamond, May 11; Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, June 1 and Eric Burdon & The Animals, June 8. www.SouthShoreRoom.com.

MontBleu Resort Casino & Spa’s Summer Concert Series second annual Lake Tahoe Reggae Festival returns on Saturday, June 29. Tahoe’s taste of island irie at the 4,000-seat outdoor amphitheater will feature breezy Jamaica rhythms and reggae ska beats from headliners SOJA and Alpha Blondy, along with special guests Passafire, Stickfigure, Tomorrow’s Bad Seed and Island of Black & White. Also added to the outdoor concert lineup are Slightly Stoopid and Atmosphere with Tribal Seeds, The Grouch and Eligh, July 18. Additional acts will be finalized soon but expect a variety of rock, reggae, hip-hop, punk, etc. In the meantime, showroom entertainment inside includes: The Shins, May 11; Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros, May 23; Gretchen Wilson, May 31; The Virgins, June 8. www.montbleuresort.com.

The Valhalla Arts & Music Festival (http://valhallatahoe.com/) celebrates music and visual arts from June through fall. In its 33rd year, this event series is set against a backdrop of Lake Tahoe and the Tallac Historic Site. It features performances and comedy at the Boathouse Theater, outdoor concerts, festivals, and cultural events.

SPECTACULAR SHOWS

Recognized by NBC’s Today Show as one of the country’s top Fourth of July weekend celebrations, Lights on the Lake fireworks show is a Tahoe South ritual that packs the shoreline with spectators. The best viewing spots are South Shore’s sandy beaches or aboard the M.S. Dixie II or Tahoe Queen paddlewheelers. An end-of-summer fireworks display will grip the skies over Tahoe South again Labor Day weekend. Both displays feature simultaneous music set to sky rockets on local radio stations KRLT-FM 93.9 and KOWL-AM 1490.

Hot August Nights South Lake Tahoe Experience returns for its fourth year, Aug. 2-3, at MontBleu. Car lovers can slide behind the wheel and cruise through four straight days and nights of show-n-shines, car exhibits, exclusive car auctions, and an outdoor pavilion with food, beverages and great oldies music.

The 24th annual (www.lakeintheskyairshow.com) Lake in the Sky Air Show takes flight, Aug. 23-25, and features some of the world’s top aircraft performers, radio-controlled demonstrations and military aircraft.

Labor Day weekend also features the 4th annual (www.samplethesierra.com) Sample the Sierra, a farm-to-fork festival, Sept. 1. This event offers regional products such as honey, jams, olive oil and soaps along with pottery, painting, photography and handmade crafts by regional artists. The festival brings live entertainment, storytellers and acoustic music as well as tastings of local produce paired with beverages from Sierra Nevada wineries and breweries.

FESTIVALS, FAIRIES AND COMPETITIONS

The 21st (http://www.valhallafaire.com) Valhalla Renaissance Faire, June 1-2 and 8-9, will exhibit the pleasures and pageantry of the Elizabethan era. Costumed players perform at Camp Richardson Resort in the shady lanes and byways, and sell their wares from market stalls filled with fine handmade crafts.

During the 22nd annual (http://www.bikethewest.com) America’s Most Beautiful Bike Ride, participants pedal the 72-mile circumference of Lake Tahoe, June 2. This ride promotes Lake Tahoe Bikeway, a plan to build and interconnect bike lanes/trails around Lake Tahoe. Rounding out summer will be the Tour de Tahoe — Bike Big Blue Ride to Cure Diabetes, Sept. 8.

World class paddlers strike out from El Dorado Beach, June 29-30, for the nation’s premier flat-water standup paddleboard competition, Race the Lake of the Sky (http://racethelakeofthesky.com/). Multiple races are offered including short course, long distance, team relay, grom races plus a new SUP Cross Sprint course. Vendors, food booths and music are available throughout the weekend.

Runners will take to the woods around Sierra-at-Tahoe Ski Resort this summer for the Ragnar Trail Relays, July 26-27. (http://ragnartrail.com/) This overnight running and camping race pits eight- and four-person teams as contestants charge around three loops that range from four to eight miles long.

One of the largest gatherings of unique boats in Northern California is the South Tahoe Wooden Boat Classic, July 26-27, at Tahoe Keys Marina & Yacht Club (http://www.tahoewoodenboats.com). Enthusiasts can get an up close look at the vessels, talk with their owners and hear the powerful roar behind straight V6, V8 and V12 engines. From the early 1900s to the fiberglass vessels of the 1960s, enthusiasts can see more than 65 wooden antique and classic boats in the water and eight race boats on their trailers.

The Valhalla Grand Lawn is also the site of the annual Wa She Shu It Deh Native American Arts Festival, July 27-28, a cultural gathering that features traditional American Indian dancers and drummers, basket weaving displays, art and great food.

The third Tahoe Show (http://www.tahoeshow.com/) body building and sculpting competition at MontBleu Resort Casino & Spa is set for Aug. 24, and will bring hundreds of the area’s fittest to compete for cash prizes in a judged competition featuring bodybuilding, figure and physique, fitness and bikini.

Return to the 1920s and enjoy the (http://www.tahoeheritage.org) 28th annual Great Gatsby Festival on the Pope Estate at the Tallac Historic Site, Aug. 10-11. Visitors will find antiques, Roaring ’20s era costumes, live music, interactive historic house tours, vintage auto rides, ice cream, cotton candy and vintage kid’s games.

Run, walk, swim, paddle, peddle or golf, Sept. 27-29, during one of the many (http://www.laketahoemarathon.com) Lake Tahoe Marathon events. Both the half and full marathons are along the west shore of Lake Tahoe and feature challenging hills around Emerald Bay.

For real time updates on events, promotions, packages, conditions and events in Tahoe South, The Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority is on Facebook: www.facebook.com/TahoeSouth, Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/TahoeSouth, YouTube: www.youtube.com/LTVA. For Tahoe South information: 1-800-288-2463 or www.tahoesouth.com.

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Pop Artists, Living Legends, New Discoveries and Rising Stars to Perform at 46th Festival d’été de Québec, July 4-14

The Festival d’été de Québec has released this year’s outdoor shows in a program covering a broad range of musical genres. Pop artists and living legends, names to discover and rising stars ─ for festival fans, choice is the operative word. The Black Keys, Bruno Mars, Tiësto, Wu-Tang Clan, Def Leppard, Weezer, Rush, Wiz Khalifa, MGMT, Foreigner, Bad Religion, Bassnectar, Belle & Sebastien, Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell, Passion Pit and Ellie Goulding are just some of the big names on this year’s lineup.

“Again this year, we’re proud to say that the Festival d’été de Québec is in the vanguard. The depth of talent on our program clearly puts us right up there with the biggest and the best,” said General Manager Daniel Gélinas.

As Program Director Louis Bellavance explained, “This depth can be seen in the number of shows that have a slate of big names from start to finish, and this goes for international and francophone artists, whatever the style or the venue. It’s one of the biggest plusses in this year’s programming.”

ElectroFEQ

The 2012 ElectroFEQ show was a surprise hit that drew crowds of electro fans and more than a few curious festivalgoers to the largest venue, the Plains of Abraham. ElectroFEQ is back this year even bigger and better than ever, with shows at four different venues on four consecutive nights, starting at the Impérial and reaching a crescendo on the Plains!

Kicking off at the Impérial on July 8 with Le Matos, Keys N Krates and Austra, the ElectroFEQ moves to the Hydro-Québec Stage at Place d’Youville the next day, with the world beat grooves of the Mexican Institute of Sound, 3Ball MTY and A Tribe Called Red. On Wednesday, July 10, dubstep takes over the Loto-Québec Stage at Parc de la Francophonie with Zeds Dead and Bassnectar headlining the show.

And to top off ElectroFEQ on Thursday, July 11, the Plains will be plugged into Madeon, Martin Solveig and Wolfgang Gartner, with superstar Tiësto the highlight of the show. This evening of electro house music will call for one of biggest technical deployments in the history of the Festival.

Bell Stage on the Plains of Abraham

July 4: As was announced a few weeks ago, the Festival will open in French on a grand scale with Quand le Québec chante. Five solid names in Québec song, Paul Piché, Daniel Lavoie, Richard Séguin, Michel Rivard and Laurence Jalbert, accompanied by a chorus of 400 voices, will be playing their most popular hits along with some of Québec’s best-loved standards.

July 5: Hip-hop could make history this night with the legendary Wu-Tang Clan playing here for the first time! Big name rapper Wiz Khalifa is up just before the American group, along with Classified, known for the hit single Inner Ninja. Anodajay, Dramatik, Koriass, Manu Militari and Samian, in a hip-hop celebration of the 10th anniversary of Disques 7e Ciel, will be opening the show.

July 6: Since The Black Keys’ wildly popular Festival appearance in 2011, they’ve racked up Grammy awards and hit the international scene big-time with their new album. Now on top of their game, it’s an honour to have them back on the Plains. Eagles of Death Metal and Father John Misty will be up first.

July 7: With their latest album J’aime ta grand-mère, and their concept show Les Trois Accords with a bunch of chicks, a big brass band and balls of fire, the Trois Accords embrace the absurd. And they have more than one guest artist and surprise in store for the audience! They’ll be preceded onstage by French star M, whose incredible personality and energy really shine in a live show. Caféïne will be opening in what promises to be an evening Festival fans won’t want to miss.

July 8: The announcement that pop superstar Bruno Mars was coming to the Festival really got things rolling. His fans should also go for Ellie Goulding’s world-popular electro pop, and for Toronto’s own Diamond Rings.

July 9: Passion Pit, MGMT, Weezer ─ the Festival has pulled out all the stops with this hard-hitting lineup. This will be the first time MGMT plays here in Québec City.

July 10: Rush is back with a new, highly-acclaimed super production, the Clockwork Angel Tour. Packed with impressive projections and special effects, this will be the tour’s only stop in Québec.

July 11: ElectroFEQ

July 13: The legendary Def Leppard needs no introduction, and it goes without saying that this show will bring hardcore rockers out in droves. Talented US rock band Foreigner is up first.

Loto-Québec Stage at Parc de la Francophonie

The Loto-Québec Stage has always held a special place in the heart of Festival fans as a venue where new talent is revealed and musical memories are made. With the spotlight on French music, some of Québec’s most popular artists are slated to play here this year. Cœur de pirate will be putting on her only band-style show of the summer in an evening that starts with talented young singer-songwriter Chloé Lacasse followed by promising artist Karim Ouellet, from Québec City. Lisa Leblanc, whose debut album went gold, will be onstage right after performances by none other than Bernard Adamus and Keith Kouna. And in a night to remember, look for Richard Desjardins and Ingrid St-Pierre, accompanied by a string quartet, as well as Gaële. To close the Festival, Robert Charlebois will sing hits from a career spanning fifty years, with David Giguère and Hôtel Morphée up first.

Big name indie band Belle & Sebastian is sure to draw crowds for their first ever Quebec City appearance. Here We Go Magic and Born Ruffians will set the tone for an evening of indie pop. Then punk rock takes over with Bad Religion, whose new album is making records sales. First up will be The Hunter, The Balconies and the winner of the Clic ton band contest. So get there early!

For metal fans, Parc de la Francophonie is the place to be! In their only canadian appearance and their first in Quebec City, the 15 musicians of the German band Avantasia, known for their symphonic metal sound, are here with a grandiose rock opera. Voivod will be celebrating its 30th year, up right after Never More than Less. The Festival is also welcoming folk legend Emmylou Harris and her guitarist Rodney Crowell, with songs from their country-folk duo album Yellow Moon. Bears of Legend will be opening. Look for big crowds for Canadian pop rock band Marianas Trench, who just won the Juno Award for Group of the Year. Down with Webster will get things rolling along with Quebec City’s own Final State.

Hydro-Québec Stage at Place Metro in Place d’Youville

A lively program of world beat, blues, soul, reggae, pop and electro music will have the Hydro-Québec stage hopping every evening this year!

World music fans, get ready to dance to the music of Amadou et Mariam, Kassav’, Fatoumata Diawara, Locos for Juana and the inimitable Balkan Beat Box. Afrobeat is out in full force with Femi Kuti & The Positive Force, a big name in afrofunk, and The Souljazz Orchestra.

Danakil, Reggae Meta and The Cornerstones will fill Place d’Youville with the laid-back sound of reggae, with some help from French reggae masters Alpha Blondy & The Solar System.

Soul fans will be happy to see soul funk legend Booker T. Jones in a lineup that includes The Dynamite featuring Charles Walker and Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, who lights a fire everywhere she goes. Gospel soul is also on tap with The Relatives and Naomi Shelton & The Gospel.

Blues lovers won’t want to miss James Hunter, The Slide Brothers, and Dr. John, the Night Tripper, here directly from New Orleans.

There will also be plenty of music in French at Place d’Youville, with Loco Locass playing songs from their latest album, Le Québec est mort, vive le Québec! Noir Silence and Canailles will be playing at Place d’Youville that same evening. Festival favourite Daran will also be back, with Zaz headlining.

The beating heart of the Festival, the Hydro-Québec Stage will also host Socalled, Nomadic Massive, Nick Waterhouse, Charly Yapo, Sagapool, Coyote Bill, Kodiak, Gotta Logo Project, William Sevigny, Jeanphilip and Ampli de Québec artists Julielle, Maude, Équinoxe and The Seasons.

“Year after year, the FEQ is a driving force for the local economy that helps keep the financial outlook sound. But in addition to the millions of dollars the Festival brings in, it also builds a level of technical expertise that can’t be beat,” Board Chairman Mario Girard pointed out.

Geneviève Borne, President of the 25th Prix Miroir

The Prix Miroir, sponsored by SODEC and awarded at the end of the Festival d’été de Québec, recognizes the talent of local and guest artists. Geneviève Borne will preside over the jury in this 25th anniversary year. Active in the cultural milieu for over 20 years, and co-host of Belle & Bum (a Quebec tv show), she has always been a music lover above all. And this Quebec City native has never been shy about saying that the Festival d’été de Québec is her pick! Organizers are pleased to have this outstanding communicator as the spokesperson for the 25th Prix Miroir awards.

Again this year, the Festival is looking for an avid music lover from the public to sit on the Prix Miroir jury! Interested candidates will find details on the Festival website. Go for it!

The 46th edition of the Festival d’été de Québec will be held from July 4 to 14, 2013.

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75,000 Passes for 46th Annual Festival d’été de Québec to Go on Sale Dec. 1

Look for 75,000 passes for the 46^th Festival d’été de Québec to go on sale starting at noon on Saturday, December 1. This early-bird sale will be held exclusively online and by phone, ending December 31 or when passes are sold out. The price is $66, taxes and service fee included. Starting February 23, 2013, an additional 75,000 passes will go on sale at the regular price of $76, taxes and service fee included.

The 46^th edition of the Festival d’été de Québec will be held from July 4 to 14, 2013 in Quebec City.

“First, we took into account the criticism and comments we’ve been hearing in the past few years. Then we looked at what was being done elsewhere, by the other big festivals drawing tens of thousands of participants, like us. We settled on what seems to be the fairest and easiest solution for everyone and the most widely-used. Plus, by extending the purchasing period, we hope to avoid overloading the system,” explained the general manager of the Festival d’été de Québec, Daniel Gélinas.

So take note:

- 2 dates: December 1, 2012 and February 23, 2013
- 2 prices: $66 and $76
- 2 ways to buy: Internet and telephone

“By concentrating sales online or by phone, we’ll be able to get contact information for all our buyers and build a genuine community that we can communicate with from now on,” pointed out Festival chair of the board, Nancy Savard.

The Festival pass includes a Bell RFID wristband and a flashing badge, and is good for all 11 days of Festival shows, at all the outdoor and indoor venues. As in past years, you can buy up to 4 passes per transaction with a choice of delivery by mail or pick-up in person at the Laurier Québec shopping mall.

“Laurier Québec has agreed to work with us to make it easier for people to pick up their passes locally, and we really appreciate their collaboration,” Gélinas added.

For full details on this special sale go to http://www.infofestival.com.

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Live at the Gantries Free Concert Series Begins July 10 at Gantry Plaza State Park, Long Island City

A performance by the Latin Jazz Coalition, Tuesday, July 10 at 7 pm, kicks off the  Live at the Gantries Free Concert Series at Gantry Plaza State Park on the Long Island City waterfront at Gantry State Plaza.

Summer 2012 heats up with six Tuesday night free outdoor concerts at Gantry Plaza State Park beginning Tuesday, July 10th. Live at the Gantries features Queens-based musicians and performers.

Live at the Gantries is a program of the Kupferberg Center for the Arts, New York State Department of Parks, Recreation & Historical Preservation and Queens Theatre. Major sponsors are Con Edison, Pepsi Co., TF Cornerstone and NYC Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer. Additional Support provided by Green Mountain Energy, Queens West Development and RCN.

Gantry Plaza State Park is a 12-acre riverside oasis that boasts spectacular views of the midtown Manhattan skyline, including the Empire State Building and the United Nations. It has earned its name from the rugged beauty of the park’s centerpieces – restored gantries. These industrial monuments were once used to load and unload rail car floats and barges. Today they are striking reminders of the waterfront’s past. Recreational facilities include basketball courts, playgrounds, handball courts, and a fishing pier with its own cleaning table.

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Cape May, NJ’s Craft Beer & Crab Festival comes to Emlen Physick Estate, August 11

Don’t miss great family fun with steamed crabs, corn on the cob, pulled pork, local and regional craft beers and all-day entertainment during a traditional summer feast at the Craft Beer & Crab Festival Saturday, Aug. 11, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC) with major funding by PNC Bank and Gold Coast Production Management.

Come to the beautiful grounds of the Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St. and stretch out on the lawn or relax under the tent during this all-day festival that celebrates the best of summer in Cape May and was named one of the 5 Best NJ Summer Festivals by CBS NY.

Have fun cracking open freshly steamed crabs and savor the delicious sweetness of this summertime picnic favorite. Choose from other favorite summer foods including corn on the cob and pulled pork sandwiches. Try some French crepes or stop by the hot dog stand where you can purchase hot dogs, popcorn, cotton candy, cookies, soda and freshly squeezed lemonade. Cool off with ice cream and water ice.

Wash down these delicious summertime foods with craft beer from local and regional breweries in the beer garden under a tent on the estate lawn. Purchase and enjoy a variety of local and regional craft beers from Cape May Brewing Company, Tuckahoe Brewing Company and Victory Brewing Company, from the Harrison Beverage 10-tap beer truck. Other selections will include a light beer, a hard lemonade and some non-beer beverages.

Relax under the shade of the estate’s mature trees and listen to live music on the stage near Hill House. Bring a lawn chair or spread out your beach blanket for a great afternoon and evening of musical performers. The lineup begins at 12 p.m. with Reed’s Blues, a three-piece blues band. At 1 p.m. it’s the high energy meta-funk music of The JL3, comprised of local musicians Jason Brown, Chuck Embley and Tom Meehan. At 3 p.m. it’s New Pony, hailing from the City of Brotherly Love, with a raw, adrenaline-pumping funk and soul. At 4 p.m., Linwood native Dave Landry takes to the stage on acoustic guitar and at 5 p.m. you’ll hear Kelly Carvin Band with her sensual yet sweet mix of popular, rock, folk and country. At 6 p.m., Croatian-born Kruno Spisic brings his Django Gypsy jazz to the evening stage, with sweet Balkan melodies, romantic songs and jazz. In between, a DJ will keep the music going.

Test your skill with games of chance at an old-fashioned Victorian carnival arcade. Jugglers and acrobats from the Give & Take Little Circus will delight and entertain all throughout the day and offer lessons in juggling. Ponies and horses will be on hand for supervised rides for children and adults. Have you ever seen a painted pony? You can “decorate” ponies in this fun, hands-on painting activity that is cool and refreshing for the horse.

Explore the variety of crafts and food vendors on the estate grounds selling hand-made and vintage items. These include: Bliss Homemade Organic Ice Cream, West Cape May, N.J., with organic ice cream and ice cream sandwiches; Gindo’s Hot Sauce, Los Angeles, Calif.; The Jewelry Boutique, Downingtown, Pa., with sterling silver and gemstone jewelry; Oxford Handbags, Cochranville, Pa., with vegan handbags and alpaca wraps; and LB Tiles, Millville, N.J., with handmade and pressed tiles including Cape May Lighthouse designs.

Admission to the grounds is free and free parking is available. There will be a charge for crabs, food, beverages and some activities. Commemorative pint glasses and T-shirts will be available for purchase. Proceeds of the event benefit MAC’s numerous educational outreach programs.

The Craft Beer & Crab Festival is sponsored by MAC with funding provided at the “King Crab” level by PNC Bank and Gold Coast Production Management and at the “Horseshoe Crab” level by Exit Zero and the Fairthorne Bed & Breakfast.

The Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC) is a multifaceted not-for-profit organization committed to promoting the preservation, interpretation, and cultural enrichment of the Cape May region for its residents and visitors. MAC membership is open to all. For information about MAC’s year-round schedule of tours, festivals, and special events, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278, or visit MAC’s Web site at www.capemaymac.org. For information about restaurants, accommodations and shopping, call the Chamber of Commerce of Greater Cape May at 609-884-5508.

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Win a Week-long RV trip in GoCampingAmerica’s Summer Video Contest

Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park, Colorado. Submit a short video in GoCampingAmerica.com’s “Not Bummer Summer” summer video contest to compete for a chance to win a weeklong RV trip to any GoCampingAmerica.com affiliated campground in the United States © 2011 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com.

When Laura Franklin went to the Jellystone Park Camp-Resort in Williamsport., Md., she took along her video camera and not only recorded her husband and kids having fun, but interviewed them about what they liked most about the campground they visited.

“They really enjoyed the waterslides,” said Franklin, a Maryland resident and “MommyBlogger” from Better in Bulk.net. “The other thing they couldn’t they couldn’t stop talking about was panning for jewels.”

Franklin also shot footage of her kids playing laser tag and commenting on their rental cabin. With five kids ages 6 to 14, Franklin said Jellystone Park was the perfect place for a family vacation.

“I just enjoyed that we could stay in one place and that the kids could run around like they were at home. We felt very comfortable. There was lots to do, so we didn’t have to travel anywhere else.”

Franklin is one of the first campers to submit a short video in GoCampingAmerica.com’s “Not Bummer Summer” summer video contest and compete for a chance to win a weeklong RV trip to any GoCampingAmerica.com affiliated campground in the United States.

“The only requirement is the video be family-friendly, that it capture the essence of having a ‘not bummer summer’ and that it be taken at a campground, RV park or resort featured on the GoCampingAmerica website,” said Kera Tomlin, GoCampingAmerica’s director of marketing.

That’s plenty of venues, considering that more than 3,300 campgrounds, RV parks and resorts are featured on the national travel planning website.
Campers are invited to upload their videos to YouTube and then submit their entry forms along with the YouTube link at http://www.GoCampingAmerica.com/videocontest. All videos must be taken and submitted between June 1st and Labor Day (midnight Sept. 5th).
Video entries will be voted on through the ‘favorites’ option on YouTube between June 1, 2011 and September 5, 2011. The top two videos with the most ‘favorite’ votes that best depict a ‘Not Bummer Summer’ Camping getaway and most carefully follows the rules and regulations, will then be entered into a drawing and the first randomly drawn will be selected as the grand prize winner and the other entrant will be awarded the 2nd runner up. The third prize winner will be selected amongst the remaining top five ‘favorite’ votes and entered into a drawing and selected at random. An entrant may recommend to its camping guests, friends and families to ‘favorite’ the entrant’s video on YouTube.

The grand prize winner will receive a weeklong trip in an RV, courtesy of El Monte RV, and free camping at GoCampingAmerica.com campgrounds. Other prizes include seven days and six nights of lodging at any GoCampingAmerica park, a $100 Camping World gift certificate, plus a $100 movie ticket certificate and other Judy Moody movie related promotional items.

GoCampingAmerica.com is promoting its video contest in connection with Judy Moody and The NOT Bummer Summer, a movie based on the bestselling book series by Megan McDonald. For more information about the contest, please visit http://www.GoCampingAmerica.com. For more information about the movie please visit http://www.JudyMoodyMovie.com.

Based in Denver, Colo., GoCampingAmerica.com is the travel planning website of the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds.

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Rihanna Fans can Catch ‘Loud in Barbados’ Tour with a Stay at All-Inclusive Mango Bay

Mango Bay (www.MangoBayBarbados.com) in Barbados invites Rihanna fans to plan their summer getaway to coincide with her Aug. 5, 2011 on-island concert. Through the “Summer Family Free Night Special” vacationers staying at the boutique resort will receive one free night on a five-night or seven-night stay. Additionally, children 12 years and younger stay free and teens (13-17) receive a special rate of $100 per person, per night, when sharing a room with two adults.

Rihanna kicks off her three-year partnership with the Barbados Tourism Authority with a full-length concert of her current “Loud” tour on Aug. 5, 2011 at the Kensington Oval, produced by the Barbados Tourism Authority and Roc Nation. Fans can purchase tickets at available box offices throughout the island which start at US$37.50. A native of Barbados, Rihanna will serve as an ambassador for the destination and will exclusively promote the island through various advertising campaigns, promotional appearances and social media outlets.

The offer is valid on new bookings made through July 31, 2011 for travel through Dec. 18, 2011. All-Inclusive rates start at $350 per room, per night, based on single or double occupancy with government tax included.

An all-inclusive Mango Bay stay includes hotel accommodations, all meals, afternoon tea, all local and brand name drinks including glasses of wine, use of the gym, watersports (waterskiing, hobiecat sailing, kayaking and snorkeling) and nightly entertainment. Spa treatments are available for an additional fee at the Elements Spa located at the resort.

Located in the historic Holetown area on the famed Gold Coast of Barbados, the 76-room Mango Bay is known for its casual sophistication and all-inclusive value. This beachfront, boutique-style property is the ideal tropical retreat for travelers seeking an escape from the everyday hustle and bustle – an oasis where warm breezes, delightful Caribbean sunshine, and picturesque beaches are refreshing and revitalizing. Spacious accommodations, a centrally-located swimming pool, delicious dining and tremendous all-inclusive value make Mango Bay a truly exceptional “Uncomplicated, Unencumbered, Unforgettable” vacation paradise.

The property is within walking distance of many shops in Holetown, along with the new Limegrove Lifestyle Centre boasting high-end stores such as Ralph Lauren, Armani Exchange, Agent Provocateur, Cartier and MAC Cosmetics with Louis Vuitton opening in the coming months. Additionaly, it is just 25 minutes from the capital city of Bridgetown, and 40 minutes from Grantley Adams International Airport.

For more information on purchasing tickets for Rihanna’s ‘LOUD In Barbados’ tour, call 246-435-0670 or 866-280-4482.

For more information on Mango Bay, Barbados call 246-432-1384; fax: 246-432-5297; e-mail reservations@MangoBayBarbados.com; or visit www.MangoBayBarbados.com.

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‘Summer Madness’ at 4 Rosen Hotels & Resorts in Orlando

Newly refurbished guest room at Rosen Inn at Pointe Orlando.

When travelers to Orlando hear that they can stay at a newly renovated AAA Three Diamond hotel, for just $59.99 per night for two or more nights and receive a $25 gas card upon check-out, anytime between now and August 2011, they’ll surely say, “That’s madness!” And they’ll be right! It’s “Summer Madness” at four Orlando Rosen Hotels & Resorts — Quality Inn International, Rosen Inn closest to Universal, Rosen Inn at Pointe Orlando and Clarion Inn Lake Buena Vista (LBV), where guests can enjoy insanely low rates, receive gas money for the drive home and enjoy plenty of money-saving perks, including a Kids Eat FREE program where kids age 9 and younger eat from the buffet at no charge with each paying adult.

To book online or for more details, visit www.orlandohotels4less.com/gascard/ or call  800-999-7300 and ask for the Free Gas Card package. This special package rate is based on double occupancy and does not include tax. A limited number of rooms are available at this special price. Not valid on existing reservations, for groups, during special events, holidays or conventions and this offer may not be combined with any other rate plan or discount.

Each of the hotels completed extensive renovations over the past year, including all new furniture that was made in America, as well as new carpet, window treatments, upgraded art work, luxurious pillow-top mattresses and stylish, yet comfortable bedding.  Private bathrooms now feature granite finish vanity and modern decorative lighting.

The Clarion Inn Lake Buena Vista (8442 Palm Parkway, Orlando, FL 32819) features 640 guest rooms in four high-rise buildings as well as a playground and two swimming pools, one of which features the new “Ozzie the Otter Splash Zone.” A Comfort Zone Bar & Grill, a buffet restaurant and a deli market offer plenty of onsite dining options. The hotel offers guests complimentary, scheduled shuttle service to four Walt Disney World® theme parks, Universal Orlando®, SeaWorld Orlando®, Aquatica® and Orlando Premium Outlets (reservation required).

The 728-room Quality Inn International (7600 International Drive, Orlando, FL 32819) offers two swimming pools and a children’s wading pool. The hotel features an all-you-care-to-eat breakfast and dinner buffet plus a deli with snacks and convenience items.

The Rosen Inn closest to Universal (6327 International Drive, Orlando, FL, 32819) offers 315 guest rooms, a swimming pool and four onsite dining choices including the Shogun Japanese Steakhouse, the Palms Dining Room (full American breakfast buffet) as well as International Pub and Lite-Bite Deli.

The Rosen Inn at Pointe Orlando (9000 International Drive, Orlando, FL 32819) offers 1,020 guest rooms in six high-rise buildings.  Three swimming pools and a sports bar offer downtime from the theme parks. Dining options include both breakfast and dinner restaurant buffets as well as the new Smoooth Java Coffee Bar™ featuring Starbucks® coffee products. Guests who need to do a little work while on vacation may also take advantage of the hotel’s business center.

The three International Drive properties offer guests complimentary, scheduled shuttle service to Universal Orlando®, SeaWorld Orlando®, Aquatica® and Wet ‘n Wild Orlando® (reservation required). The I-Ride Trolley stops in front of each hotel, providing low-cost transportation to more than 75 stops in the International Drive attractions area. The three hotels are conveniently located off I-4, on International Drive, in the heart of the attractions area and just 12-15 minutes from Orlando International Airport.

For more information about Rosen Hotels & Resorts four leisure properties, visit www.orlandohotels4less.com.

See also:

Inside Universal Orlando’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter and slideshow

Disney Still Has That Magic