I was so excited when my friends from Cirque Du Soleil invited me to the launch of their new show in Santa Monica, called OVO. A whimsical look at all kinds of insects and a precious little insect egg. In true Cirque form, performances wow’d the crowd to their feet, engaged the audience in comedic acts, and in the end, made us all know we witnessed yet another brilliant Cirque Du Soleil experience.

Here is the press release with all the information you’ll need about the show. Enjoy!

OVO
FOR a limited engagement
UNDER THE blue and yellow Grand Chapiteau (Big Top)

2 additional weeks now on-sale
now playing until march 11, 2012

Los Angeles, CA – January 20, 2012 – Proudly presented by iShares© Cirque du Soleil is thrilled to be back to the Santa Monica Pier with its critically-acclaimed and family-friendly big top touring show OVO; premieres tonight for a limited engagement under the trademark blue and yellow Grand Chapiteau (big top).
Since its world-premiere in Montreal in 2009, OVO has charmed well-over 2 million spectators in over 15 different cities in North America. Santa Monica will be the only Southern California stop for a Grand Chapiteau (Big Top) production in 2012.
Tickets all performances are now available online at cirquedusoleil.com/ovo or at the Cirque du Soleil Box office located inside the main entrance tent of the Grand Chapiteau at the Santa Monica Pier. Regular box office hours will be 12:00 p.m. – end of show Tuesday through Saturday; 11:00 a.m. – end of show on Sunday and will be closed on all Monday’s and the following Tuesdays: February 7th, February 28th & March 20th.

About the show

OVO, meaning “egg” in Portuguese, is a headlong rush into a colorful ecosystem teeming with life, where insects work, eat, crawl, flutter, play, fight and look for love in a non-stop riot of energy and movement.
When a mysterious egg appears in their midst, the insects are awestruck and intensely curious about this iconic object that represents the enigma and cycles of their lives. It is love at first sight when a gawky, quirky insect arrives in this bustling community and a fabulous ladybug catches his eye – and the feeling is mutual.

The cast of OVO is comprised of 55 performing artists from 14 countries specializing in many acrobatic acts. One highlight of OVO is the stunning flying trapeze act, in which six flyers soar 40 feet in the air, making this the biggest act of its kind to ever be presented under a big top by Cirque du Soleil. It combines many circus disciplines, including banquine, Russian swing and swinging chair. The finale features 20 artists running, jumping and leaping up a 24-foot vertical wall.

The Creative Team behind the world of OVO is:  Artistic Guides Guy Laliberté and Gilles Ste-Croix; Writer, Director and Choreographer Deborah Colker (first female director at Cirque du Soleil); Director of Creation Chantal Tremblay; Set and props Designer Gringo Cardia; Costume Designer Liz Vandal; Composer and Musical Director Berna Ceppas; Lighting Designer Éric Champoux; Sound Designer Jonathan Deans; Acrobatic Equipment and Rigging Designer hting Designer éclairagesa creative team for the first time at Cirque du Soleilerms of distance between stations.Fred Gérard;  Acrobatic Performance Designer Philippe Aubertin; and Makeup Designer Julie Bégin.

Cirque du Soleil gratefully acknowledges iShares as the presenting sponsor of the OVO 2012 North American tour as well as Infiniti, CGI, XEROX, Sun Life Financial and American Express as the official sponsors.

Cirque du Soleil in Hollywood

Cirque du Soleil presents IRIS, its latest and first resident production in the Los Angeles area playing at the Kodak Theatre. Tickets are available cirquedusoleil.com/IRIS or by calling 1-877-943-IRIS.

Cirque du Soleil on tour in Southern California

Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour will perform at the Honda Center in Anaheim on January 24 and 25 and in Los Angeles at the STAPLES Center from January 27 to 29, 2012. Tickets can be purchased online at cirquedusoleil.com/mj
Cirque du Soleil

From a group of 20 street performers at its beginnings in 1984, Cirque du Soleil is a major Québec-based organization providing high-quality artistic entertainment. The company has 5,000 employees, including more than 1,300 artists from close to 50 different countries.

Cirque du Soleil has brought wonder and delight to more than 100 million spectators in more than 300 cities on five continents.

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Portlandia, the television series set in Portland has taken Portlanders by storm. Featuring Saturday Night Live cast members, Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein, the show has become a hit. Those who watch it know why. Hilarious writing, quirky sub-plots, and appearances by celebrities such as, Steve Buscemi, Selma Blair and Jason Sudeikis.

What makes this all so fun and tied together for the traveler, is the fact that Portland’s thriving movie brewpubs have created just the spot for social gatherings to watch the show. The second season episodes began airing in January 2012.

Portlandia fantatics will be thrilled to learn that Portland’s mayor (who also guest starred in the show) proclaimed January 21, 2011 Portlandia Day. And, it was bound to happen… much like what the movie Sideways did for the wine country, Portlandia is doing for America’s number one biking capital. Portland Bike Tour and Rental Company  (http://www.portlandbicycletours.com) is offering up Portlandia themed biking tours.

For the traveler visiting Portland, hitting one of these movie brewpubs (whether to watch Portlandia or not) is a must-do adventure.

I’m typically not the type of traveler who relishes in getting to a movie while on a holiday, but the experience of sitting in cozy couches, eating great food, while drinking a dark beer on tap- brewed right there on the spot, is just my kind of heaven. Not to mention, the ticket prices aren’t bad, under $5.00 US for a first run movie, and on-tap specials are offered nightly.

How did this all come about? From the brilliance of two brothers who run the McMenamins Company. The company whose initial goal was to preserve local landmarks, successfully turned dilapidated buildings into the best of what entertainment has to offer, all the while- creating social spaces for the community.

Top Picks:

The Kennedy School 5736 NE 33rd Ave., Portland, OR 97211; 503-249-3983

The Mission 1624 NW Glisan St., Portland, OR 97209; 503-223-4527

The Bagdad 3702 SE Hawthorne Blvd., Portland, OR 97214; 503-236-9234

To learn more: www.mcmenamins.com

“Where to ski, where to ski, where to ski?” a friend of mine sighed as we sat in air-conditioning on one of the hottest days this past summer. “Skiing!?” I replied, “How can you think of skiing when it’s 100 degrees here in California?”

The holidays are upon us. Thanksgiving kicks off the season, with travelers ramping up for the much anticipated break.

News reports estimate that travel will be up as high as 60% in the US for Thanksgiving. With that much of an estimated increase, travelers can expect delays, lines at airports and traffic on the roadways.

Now, let’s add in the financial stress of increased fares, and even knowing when book an airline ticket, let alone what to do, pack, and how to get through security lines on your travel day.  Doesn’t it seem like traveling during this peak time is more of a job than a getaway with family and friends?

It’s overwhelming, and planning is tedious to say the least.

I came across this information by journalist Amanda Rogers from Flight View Inc. Amanda’s tips are surely helpful. (article below).

I thought her story offered great information as a kick off to the countdown for Thanksgiving travel, which officially starts this weekend.

Are you ready to hit the road? Cuz, I’m not… yet.

Side Note: Tune in tomorrow  on Fox’s The Willis Report /5PM ET,

I’ll be sharing my tips for holiday travel.

Story starts here:

Getting together with family and friends that live far away is one of the best aspects of the holidays, but sometime during the two hour security line wait you may be questioning your decision to fly.

Expect airports to be even more crowded this year – American Express (AXP: 47.63, -0.49, -1.02%) estimates a 10% increase in the number of travelers planning to fly for the holidays. Coupled with the fact that most U.S. carriers have reduced capacity since last year, it could make for a bumpy ride.

Here are a few tips to help you successfully navigate this year’s holiday travel season.

Don’t procrastinate. In addition to the current list of reasons to book flights sooner, last Tuesday, Delta initiated another $4-10 increase on domestic round trip tickets – a day later, all major U.S. carriers matched the price hike. Experts also estimate Thanksgiving airfares to be up 6% over last year, and are forecasting a 10% increase over last year’s winter holiday fares.

Reconsider ancillary fees. It’s the one time of the year that the option to buy a la carte elite-level services while still paying economy airfare makes sense. Some airlines offer options to get you through airport security faster and let you board the plane first – ensuring room for your carry-on in the scarce overhead bin real estate. The ability to proactively avoid travel headaches compounded by the extra holiday traffic make VIP travel services worth the cash.

Know when to travel. The days closely preceding or following the holiday are the worst in terms of travel delays and airfare costs – you’ll know you’ve picked a bad day by the amount of your surcharge. This year, U.S. airlines are tacking on up to $40 before Thanksgiving and $50 after Christmas on peak travel days.

Most of the tips to make holiday air travel easier for you and your family are common sense – book early, pack lightly, mail presents to and from your destination instead of schlepping them through the airport and paying extra baggage fees, and stay up to date on the status of your flights to proactively plan around air travel snags.

Read more: http://www.foxbusiness.com/travel/2011/10/28/avoid-holiday-travel-headaches/#ixzz1dyxtFDkU ]]> http://adventuregirl.com/holiday-travel-a-nightmare-some-say-yes/feed/ 0 http://adventuregirl.com/did-you-know-united-airlines-fast-fact/ http://adventuregirl.com/did-you-know-united-airlines-fast-fact/#comments Wed, 16 Nov 2011 19:18:52 +0000 Stefanie Michaels http://adventuregirl.com/?p=6253

Did you know?

– Mark Twain

So, without making you salivate any longer, cut in and eat up the information below! and click here to start planning your foodie road trip

A little part of history!

Barbecue, barbeque, bar-b-q, BBQ: there are almost as many spellings as there are kinds of barbecue, as if the proliferation of words could express the mastering tastes and aromas of the food, all the experiences that can fill the mouth, the place where also words begin.

Today, barbecue is more popular than ever and can be found by a hungry Southerner in almost any American city, but barbecue will always be Southern because, as an American cuisine, that’s where it began and because that’s where it continues to evolve most interestingly.

Though the word barbecue devolves from Taino, a pre-Columbian Caribbean language, the native method described by the word — the slow drying of sliced, spiced meat, over a low, smoky fire — seems to have been fairly widespread in the eastern Caribbean at the time of European contact, being practiced in what would become Brazil as well as in what would become Virginia.

But it was in Virginia and in the Carolinas that barbecue as we know it would begin to evolve. In Virginia, British colonists observed the Native American method of drying meat on a grill of green sticks over a smoking fire and soon married this method to their own interest in spit-cooking hogs and other small animals. The British introduced their own native practices, including basting — either with butter or with vinegar — to keep the meat from drying while cooking.

Slaves of African descent, imported from the Caribbean, brought a taste (developed in the islands) for New-World peppers, especially red pepper. Along the Atlantic seaboard, then, when the vinegar and butter combined with the spices and peppers, barbecue sauce arrived on the Southerner’s and the Briton’s favorite hog. Even today in eastern North Carolina, you can find whole-hog barbecue, lightly seasoned with vinegar and black and red peppers, colonial style.

In South Carolina, in the Broad River Valley, German and French immigrants brought their taste and recipes for mustard, which helped repel malarial mosquitoes, and these mustards found their way into that colonial food, barbecue, and remained there, through the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, and two World Wars, to be found even today in the same Broad River Valley.

To the west, in the Piedmont area of North Carolina, probably toward the end of the 19th- or the beginning of the 20th-Century, barbecue cooks began using just the shoulder of the hog when barbecuing, an innovation perhaps encouraged by the growth of the meat curing and packing industries. In this same area, populated largely by Germans, German-style coleslaw, both sweet and spicy, dressed the pork, and the tomato, only recently determined edible, sweetened the fare.

From these come all the rest, or almost all the rest. The whole-hog style that developed along the Atlantic seaboard has drifted into western Tennessee, and the Piedmont style, with some variations, can be uncovered in northeast Alabama and, with American-style coleslaw, in Memphis. Mustard-based barbecue, though still centered in South Carolina, can be found as well in Georgia and eastern Alabama, where one can also find an orange sauce that combines mustard and tomato-based sauces, as if to say, Does one really have to choose?

Of course, Kentucky has its barbecue mutton and its burgoo, which resembles Georgia’s own Brunswick Stew, a traditional barbecue accompaniment. In Texas, German settlers in a cattle-friendly land developed barbecue sausage and the holy brisket, where today Mexican influence directs the emergence of barbacoa and other delicacies. And in that far edge of the South, Kansas City, half Missouri and half Kansas, it has all come together, as it has come together now in so many cities across the South and across the United States.

But there are still new barbecue plates being dreamed up by the hungry and the resourceful. How about north Alabama’s white-sauce chicken, northwest Mississippi’s taste for goat, or the barbecued gator that turns up in Louisiana and Florida?

Whatever it is, it is slow-cooked. If it’s done right, it’s smoked. Honestly, it could be anything. But, whatever it is, it better be damn good.

Story by: Jake Adam York

What’s so awesome about it, is the bevy of information one can tap into. If you’re interested in travel, how do you find fellow travelers, companies who are all about travel, and where to go next?

Well, it’s actually quite simple. Follow the hastag (#) #traveltuesday.

So, what Is Travel Tuesday? A fellow tweeter, turned social entrepreneur, Katy Lynch, started the tag to help promote the Where I’ve Been website initially. An entree into social media, she was their community manager, and thought it was a great way to promote the website which connected travelers. Their site is a hub of tweets talking travel, thanks to Katy! On their website it explains…

“TravelTuesday is great for everyone. If you are a traveler looking for advice, if you want to share your prior experiences and knowledge to help others, or simply love traveling and talking with like minded Tweeps! You can also easily share your favorite URLs, pictures, blog posts and more! Tuesday’s are all about travel!”

So, travel lovers, make sure to follow @socialkaty, and @whereivebeen on Twitter.

Have a great #traveltuesday! Love, @adventuregirl

Airlines have to constantly reinvent themselves, follow trends, and test new features to garner frequent flyer loyalty. It is also how airlines have to do business in a competitive consumer marketplace, and especially to prevail in a challenged global economy.

A handful of airlines are listening to passenger requests, some carriers stepping it up with more comfortable seating, mood-lighting, WIFI and better food in-flight.

The multi-billion dollar business traveler sector, pushes airlines to make business travelers more content, creating a homey business class environment with creature comforts such as down comforters, feather pillows, designer overnight kits, and breakfast on the go options. Little luxuries that can make the difference in a business traveler choosing which airline to lend their business and loyalty to.

Which airlines are striving for a better passenger experience?

I’ve personally flown over a half of a million miles on various airlines over the past few years. Within the last twelve months, I have been a passenger on more than a dozen carriers, some big, some small, both domestic and international. I have checked out what each airline has offered their passengers in coach and business classes, and sized up the competition. I have a lot of beefs with some of the major airlines, but what I’ve found in the process are three carriers concerned with the betterment of their passengers, and are setting the bar in customer service, flight performance, cabin comfort, and offering a wide range of amenities that make the difference for travelers, as well as taking in-flight comforts to the next level.

South African Airways

Air-Marks ****

South African Airways is Africa’s most awarded airline, winning Best Airline Africa and Service Excellence Africa awards from Skytrax. Stellar in-flight service, and 15-hour direct flight times, the newly started JFK to Johannesburg nonstop both ways in May 2011, makes SAA the first to test this new nonstop route from the east coast to Africa.

Business Class seats lay completely flat with the most comfortable duvet blankets and down pillows among airlines, and each seat has its own entertainment system with movies, gaming, maps and educational programming.

SAA’s Business Class dining is newly improved, offering a selection of canapés with four main course options– a poultry, red meat, fish and  non-meat dish, including an assortment of fresh breads, dessert, and South African cheeses, crackers and preserves, and the best in South African wine selections. Breakfast is similar with choices ranging from cereals to hot courses.

www.flysaa.com

Lufthansa Airlines

Air-Marks *****

Business travelers will appreciate Lufthansa’s newly improved business class for the long haul on their new A380′s.

Seats have 60 inches of leg room and convert to 6-feet long beds with massage functions, power supplies at each seat

without a need for adapters, personal in-flight entertainment systems, a work table, and WIFI connectability while flying across the ocean via FlyNet satellite.

Foodies will appreciate the Star Chef program on certain flights out of Germany. Internationally renowned chefs create

meals on board. Not hungry when you wake? No to worry- Lufthansa now offers breakfast to go upon request.

Priority Member? Separate area check-ins and lounges with daybeds, bistros, an indoor Bavarian beer garden in Munich and a JetFriends Zone for children in Frankfurt.

www.lufthansa.com

Virgin America

Air-Marks ******

Virgin America isn’t just for hipsters, it’s for those who want to travel to destinations in the U.S. with style. It’s also the entertainment and tech junkie’s airline of choice with a loyal celebrity following.

From ground to air, Virgin America is celebrated for unique amenities and concierge-like service. Definitely, a unique flying experience for passengers, and deemed by other media as an “airborne discotheque” and a “Multi-million Dollar Ipod. That Flies.” Always a trend setter, Virgin America became the first airline to offer guests GoGo in-flight internet on every flight. Innovating in-flight entertainment with RED, each passenger gets touch-screen personal seat back entertainment, power outlets at every seat, on demand food choices, mood-lighting and custom-designed leather seating with a deeper and more comfortable pitch.

And that’s just in coach!

First Class offers up white leather seats with lumbar massagers.

www.virginamerica.com

Air-mark Guide:**** Excellent ***** Over the top ****** Spectacul-Air

Kiawah Island, South Carolina

About an hour outside Charleston, South Carolina, sits a pristine island made just for a golf resort. Play on any one of five championship golf courses designed by Pete Dye, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Fazio, Gary Player and Clyde Johnston.

Kiawah hosted at The Ocean Course, the 2007 Senior PGA, the 1991 Ryder Cup, the 1997 and 2003 World Cups, the 2001 UBS Cup and 2005 PGA Professional National Championship. In 2012 Kiawah Island Golf Resort will host the 94th PGA Championship, only the fourth course to host each of the PGA of America’s major championships.

The Ocean Golf Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort – 18 holes, designed by Pete Dye, Named “#1 Golf Course in South Carolina” by Golf Digest. Turtle Point at Kiawah Island Golf Resort designed by Jack Nicklaus gets a near perfect 4.5 stars by Golf Digest. Osprey Point, Oak Point, Cougar Point round up the Kiawah’s fab five.

www.kiawahresort.com

St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands

The Carambola Resort, on the U.S. Virgin Island of St. Croix, was once a private estate of Laurence Rockefeller. Robert Trent Jones-designed the par-72 Carambola Golf Course, which opened 30 years ago.Golf digest gave it a four-star rating and Golf Magazine gave it a gold medal for being one of the best resorts in the world.

www.golfcarambola.com

Amelia Island, Florida

Amelia Island Plantation boasts 54 championship holes and consistently garners  ”Silver Medal Golf Resort” each year by Golf Magazine, Amelia Links, designed by Pete Dye and Bobby Weed, is a 36-hole configuration with two signature courses, Oak Marsh and Ocean Links.

Long Point, Tom Fazio’s design, is an 18-hole layout and must be booked a day in advance.

http://www.aipfl.com/golf/golf.htm

St Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands

Golf courses are hard to come by in the US Virgin Islands, but George and Tom Fazio created a beauty– a 6,022-yard par-70, 18-hole course at Mahogany Run with stellar views of the Atlantic and the British Virgin Islands. A recent multi-million dollar course make-over included an irrigation system, recently re-grassed greens and renovated bunkers. The course has three signature holes known collectively as The Devil’s Triangle.

www.mahoganyrungolf.com

Marco Island, Florida

A recent redesign by acclaimed golf course designer Robert Cupp, Jr., is nestled in shallow wetlands. The Rookery at Marco Golf Course is 7,100 plus yards in length, players will experience great fairways, over-sized greens, and the choice to play from one of five teeing locations.

Designed with nature in mind, The course is a member of the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program, paying close attention to the preservation of the ecological balance by providing areas where native bird life reside.

www.marriottgolf.com/leisure/golf-courses/rookery-at-marco-golf/course-overview.jsp

Catalina Island, California

A couple hours off the coast of Long Beach, California, a simple ferry ride lands you on one of the So. Cal’s only inhabited islands.

Santa Catalina Island’s Golf Course is the oldest operating golf course west of the Mississippi! A scenic 2,100-yard course has nine challenging holes, two sets of tees for 18-hole play, and is the former home of the Bobby Jones Invitational Tournament. Originally built by the Banning Brothers in 1892, this is history, folks!

What began as a three-hole course, it was expanded to 9 holes in the early 1900′s.  In 1929, The Catalina Golf Course graduated to an 18 hole tournament-worthy course. The course features five Par 4 and four Par 3 holes.

www.visitcatalinaisland.com/avalon/acti_golf.php

Hawaiian Islands

There’s not much here to say about Hawaii’s jawdropping golf courses. So many to choose from at all playing levels, I’ve decided to just add this link for you to check then all out. Meander through the various options on the islands of Hawaii, Maui, Kauai, Lanai, Molokai, and Oahu.

Aloha!

www.hawaiigolf.com

Bald Head Island, North Carolina

The Bald Head Island Club is an 18-hole seaside golf course. George Cobb, who for 20 years was the lead consultant at Augusta National, designed the course, leaving much of the terrain to nature.  The Bald Head Island Club Course has a slope rating of 139, course rating of 74.3, making it a top 20 percent of course in difficulty. Golf Digest’s Places to Play gives it 4.5 stars.

www.baldheadisland.com

Wellesley Island, New York

The Thousand Islands Country Club began in the late 1800’s when they were known as a palatial playground for some of the wealthiest families in America.

The location sits across from the resort village of Alexandria Bay in the heart of the 1000 Islands. 36 holes of pure golfing magic. The Old Course  and it’s original 9 holes were built in 1894 by George Boldt, with an updrade in 1924 by course designer Seth Raynor who expanded the course to its present 18 holes.

The Lake Course, a slightly smaller and more “golfer friendly” for more casual play.

www.ticountryclub.com

Sea Island, Georgia

Sea Island Resorts and golf is located off southeastern Georgia’s Atlantic coast, along five miles of private beach, The Lodge at Sea Island Golf Club offers two championship Georgia golf courses. The Seaside Course — updated in 1999 by Tom Fazio is on Golf Digest’s list of “Top 100 Courses in the United States,” and rated No. 1 in the U.S. among the “World’s 50 Best Golf Hotels” by Golf Digest Index. It has hosted multiple USGA events, challenging golf’s best amateur players, and will again host the PGA Tour’s McGladrey Classic in Oct. 2011.

The Plantation Course lends to both accomplished and novice players at any level.

www.seaisland.com