Those who supply rocking music to half the parties in America would surely know how to throw a grooving party. Red Melon, the premier recording label of San Francisco, has been releasing the best in house music and rap. Water Melon boat parties have been the talk of the town for several years for the raw party fever and the celebrities that it attracts.
After a lull of a few months, the Red Melon monthly house party is back with a bang, with one scheduled for September 13. The usual Melon gang of Dan Hruby and Jay Zimmerman shall be there, as well as the biggest party animals of the city. So make sure you get invited for the party at the newly refurbished DNA Lounge in the Bay Area.
If Hawaii had to have a physical symbol, it would be the colorful yellow flowers that are strung into garlands in this island state of the U.S. The Aloha Festival’s Floral Parade pays a tribute of sorts to this symbol, with Hawaiians dressed in their colorful best for the huge parade in Honolulu.
Beautiful floats, marching bands, women dancers adorned in flowers, accompanied by Hawaiian music make the whole spectacle a treat for the senses. The Parade is scheduled for September 13 at 9 am, along the Kalakaua Avenue, Ala Moana Park and Kapiolani Park.
Several street artistes like jugglers, magicians and stuntmen show off their talents to the crowds gathered on the sidewalks for the Parade. The Parade especially celebrates the hula dance with special dance performances and competitions.
Aloha Festival is very traditional. Below is a video of 1996 event:
In the tradition of celebrating Mexican Independence Day, Las Vegas has long been the venue of the annual International Mariachi Festival. The best in Mexican music is celebrated at this festival with noted mariachis and bands proving their mettle.
This year, as always, the festival is slated to open at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on September 13. Besides Mariachi singers and bands, several Mexican dances shall be presented by acclaimed dancers. The Mariachi tradition can be traced to late 19th century Mexico, which was passed on into the U.S. through immigrants.
Nowhere can one here original Mariachi music that at the International Festival in Las Vegas. The glamorous setting of the Planet Hollywood also befits the event. Tickets are fast selling out, so book your places soon. Prices range $55-$185.
Cherishing a neighbor’s culture and heritage is one of the best ways to uphold international relations. This is amply displayed in the celebration of the Mexican Independence Day by U.S. citizens in Chicago. Although the actual date of independence is September 16, the city celebrates it on the closest weekend in a huge street parade and carnival.
Mexican is the theme of the day for everything-food, dress, music, dance, shopping and language. Several U.S. citizens tracing their lineage to Mexico revel in their alternate heritage and culture. 2008 shall witness the Parade on September 13 at noon on 18th Street and Newberry.
Vendors line the route of the entire parade of colorful floats, which is watched by hundreds of thousands of people of all races and walks of life. The event is free of charge and all members of public are absolutely welcome.
One of the most recognized and respected dance festivals in the United States; the Annual International Ballet Festival is presented by the Miami Hispanic Ballet. Several greats from the world of dance have graced its stage on several occasions over the years.
Besides dance performances, the festival encourages visual art in various other forms like dance photography exhibitions, dance-inspired art and theoretical lectures and discussions. Participation by international performers from all continents lends a unique cultural touch to the fest. The 2008 edition of the festival is scheduled for August 29-September 13. Spread out over various venues, one of which is the Jackie Gleason Theater of Performing Arts.
Presented by IMG, the Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week at Bryant Park is high on the radar of the fashion world for its sheer exclusivity and high quality. Top supermodels walk the ramp for the best of designers, who dictate fashion norms for the world to follow.
With names like Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, Lela Rose and Donna Karan, it cannot get bigger and wilder. Spread over September 5-12, the Fashion Week 2008 promises fireworks, with several promising designers taking the stage. Fresh discoveries and surprise packages are definitely the theme this year. IMG’s association brings a high degree of sophistication to the entire process of selling fashion at the Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week. Entry is by invitation only.
Significantly scheduled on September 11, the Freedom Run organized by the Dallas Association of Young Lawyers, is meant to symbolize solidarity and belief in the freedom of America. The Run is scheduled to begin at 6:30 pm at the Dallas City Hall Plaza.
Although the main attraction is the run, a kids’ zone has elevated this event to a Freedom Festival. Thousands of Dallas citizens are expected to turn to support the Run and its message. Make sure that you are one of them. Several corporate teams are slated to run for prizes. A live entertainment program shall follow at 7 p.m., marking the start of the Freedom Festival. The 8th Annual Freedom Run needs huge crowd support for its message to resound clearly. So make sure you are present on the evening of September 11.
Go down the river, literally at the world-famous River Walk or Paseo del Rio of San Antonio. A man-made pedestrian walkway lined with commercial establishments, the River Walk along the River San Antonio is a lovely tourist destination in this Texan city.
The Dos Equis Pachanga del Rio takes this experience a notch higher, with walkers being invited to taste the choicest of dishes offered by the restaurants along the walkway. Pachanga del Rio has been scheduled for September 11, 2008, with over 20 restaurants participating. After the sampling of dishes, visitors can pass on to a drawing exhibition at the Buckhorn Saloon & Museum.
The charm of the event lies in the impromptu fun and mutual bonding with fellow visitors, while soaking in the local culture and hospitability. Advance tickets priced at $25, while those bought on the day of the Walk cost $30. Tickets are available at Paseo del Rio Association offices.
Denver, Colorado just needs the least of reasons to celebrate and make merry. Every September, an annual month-long festival is held within the green environs of the Denver Botanic Gardens to celebrate Latino music and culture.
The Chile Harvest Festival is a part of the festivities. Visitors can taste some spicy Latin American fare, topped with plenty of salsa sauce and tomatoes. Children especially have a lot to look forward to here with several amusement activities and art and craft exhibitions. Visitors must definitely reach the venue at least an hour in advance to admire the beautiful gardens and the various herbs and plant species found here. Admission prices are between $5-7.
Two’s company, but three’s a crowd-puller! No better proof of this than the stupendous success enjoyed by the jazz trio of The Bad Plus. Bassist Reid Anderson, drummer David King and pianist Ethan Iverson make for one magical combination, fusing rock and pop influences in jazz compositions.
Eight years old, they have almost as many studio albums to their name. However, nothing beats listening to them perform live. Yoshi’s, the Bay Area jazz club of San Francisco, brings The Bad Plus live to its audiences in California on September 9-10. The band known for its soothing music, infused with a vibrant tempo and energy, has found the perfect location to complement its music.
Yoshi’s attracts some of the most discerning jazz audiences in the city, creating a wonderful ambience to listen to music in.
The 21st Bull Durham Blues Festival is set to blow away audiences on September 18-20 at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park and the Hayti Heritage Center. Organized by the St. Joseph’s Foundation Inc. to promote blues music and the African-American culture closely related to it, the Bull Durham Blues Festival resembles a carnival more than a live music festival, owing to the sheer warmth and cheer that envelops its atmosphere. 2008’s lineup boasts of some impressive names like MSG Acoustic Blues Trio, Rosie Ledet and Clarence Carter. The festival welcomes all sorts of experimentation and innovation in blues music, which makes performances refreshingly new each year. A three-day package ticket costs $85. All major credit cards accepted. Doors at 5 pm.
The only thing bad about this is in the name; other than that, The Bad Plus are absolutely rocking. An American music trio, The Bad Plus is redefining the idea of jazz for today’s listeners. Bass, piano and drums come together to create scintillating music, soothing to the ears and hearts of music-lovers. And the fantastic three are now going to come live at the beautiful Florence Gould Hall of New York on September 20. Jazz with a pinch of rock and pop have been the forte of the band’s members-Reid Andersen, Ethan Iverson and David King. Having burst onto the music scene in 2000, The Bad Plus has been consistently creating great studio albums. The show on the 20th is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. Book your tickets at the earliest to witness live magic on stage.
After the Beijing Olympics, gear up for a dose of Chinese and Asian culture right at your neighborhood Pittsburgh Dragon Boat Festival. Held at the Pittsburgh South Side and Monongahela River, the Boat Festival has a touch of the Orient everywhere-food, music, art, craft and entertainment. What’s best is that it is absolutely free for the general public. Attractions like the Dragon Stroll which is a pleasant walk through the various food and craft stall, or the Westinghouse Electric Company Children’s House which introduces kids and adults alike to the wonders of Chinese culture, make this festival absolutely desirable. Visitors can also take a shot at Dragon boating in a long, huge boat that is steered by twenty sailors at a time. Besides the strenuous physical exercise, it is a lesson in teamwork and co-ordination. Into its seventh year, the Pittsburgh Dragon Boat Festival has been scheduled for September 20 from 11 a.m.-7p.m.
It’s the day of the creepy crawlies, so if you are too chicken or disgusted to watch, you had better come with some company to Kliebert’s Annual Alligator Day on September 20 at the Kliebert’s Turtle & Alligator Farm in Hammond, Louisiana. The farm houses around 250 of the state animal-the alligator. During the one-day festival, these are put through a variety of activities like a race and general showing-off to the public. Parents, even if you cannot stand the sight of these lumbering reptiles, it is a wonderful opportunity to get kids acquainted first-hand with these animals. So don’t forget to schedule it on your itinerary on a trip down to Louisiana. And although the alligators are very well-cared for on the farm, it also specializes in the sale of alligator and turtle meat. Admission is priced at nominal rates of $3-$6.
Music and art makes for a heady combination, found in plenty at the Brookside Artzz Festival in Tulsa. One of the most happening events in the city, the 2008 festival is scheduled on September 20. The Artzz in the name of the festival is a mix of art and jazz, as more than 30 artistes line the streets of Brookside, displaying their creativity through all possible mediums-glass, pottery, paint, charcoal, installation art as well as junk art.
All this in the company of several jazz bands that set the mood of the fest with music that is peppy and soothing in turns. Brookside, the premier shopping destination of Tulsa is an ideal venue for the fest, ensuring that huge crowds of tourists flock to the event. Visitors can find the festival at Peoria stretched between 32nd and 41st Streets.
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