#Mark Regions ‘after last season’ is an outsider art film

[ink-the-artist]

Dude some of those popular so-bad-its-good movies are unironically outsider art and I don’t think they get enough appreciation for that

[sciencespies]

Behold the Largest Congregation of Bald Eagles in the United States

https://sciencespies.com/nature/behold-the-largest-congregation-of-bald-eagles-in-the-united-states/

Behold the Largest Congregation of Bald Eagles in the United States

Despite pandemic-caused shutdowns and travel restrictions across Alaska, a small valley in the Southeast still expects its habitual visitors: bald eagles. In early November, thousands of the birds of prey gather in Haines, Alaska, forming one of the largest congregations in the world.

Alaskans often depict their location in the state by using their right hand as a map. With just a pointer finger and thumb extended, thumb pointing down, the Chilkat Valley—also known as the Valley of the Eagles—is where thumb meets hand on Alaska’s panhandle.

The Chilkat Valley, a peninsula saddled between glaciated mountain chains and the Chilkat and Chilkoot river systems, is nearly 75 miles north of Juneau. The valley extends from the Canadian border south, past the indigenous village of Klukwan, to the small town of Haines, originally called Deishú by Alaska Natives, or “end of the trail.” Sitting on the deepest fjord in North America, Haines (population: 2,500) can be reached by small plane or ferry from Juneau or by car from Canada. The town draws tourists seeking world-renowned heli-skiing, hiking, local brews, a thriving arts scene and, of course, bald eagle sightings.

The peak of congregation typically happens in the second week of November.

(Cindy Kassab/Getty Images)

The area is home to about 500 residential eagles that attract visitors year-round, most especially in the fall when migrating birds up the count to historic highs of 3,000. Eagles flock to the Chilkat River flats along the Haines Highway in early November for its unique hydrology. Percolating groundwater keeps late fall runs of chum and coho salmon spawning well into winter months, providing food for the birds.

“The eagles still have access to the chum (salmon) well into November and December because there is upwelling in this area that prevents the river from freezing,” says Nicole Zeiser, the Haines’ area management biologist for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

In 1982, the State of Alaska established the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve, setting aside 48,000 acres of river-bottom to protect the eagle habitat and all five species of pacific salmon found there. That same year, a Haines local formed The American Bald Eagle Foundation (ABEF) to educate visitors on the region’s unique asset. The foundation serves as both a museum and live raptor center, home to several rehabilitated bird species called “avian ambassadors.” For the last 25 years, the nonprofit has hosted an annual four-day festival around the congregation of the eagles, consisting of a speaker series on local ecology, an artist bazaar and a film screening. For the grand finale, visitors are driven up the highway to witness a rehabilitated eagle release, followed by a banquet dinner.

Due to Covid-19 risks and stringent state travel restrictions, the festival, which typically draws around 300 visiting birders, photographers and tourists from all over the world, has been canceled. But the bald eagles, of course, haven’t gotten the message—and local residents never tire of the natural phenomenon.

One of those locals is Pam Randles, a now-retired high school science teacher and naturalist guide in Haines. Randles began counting the fall eagle migration 20 years ago as part of her teaching curriculum, and can’t quit.

“I watched them for so many years, I just have to go out to look,” she admits. On an overcast afternoon in mid-October, Randles drives her rig roughly 12 miles out to the Chilkoot River on the other of the peninsula, one of three rivers spawning salmon swim up before ending in the Chilkat River. Her binoculars bounce over potholes on the passenger seat.

“The eagles were everywhere, sitting in the trees waiting for the tides to go down so they could get some fish,” Randles recounts later that day. She laughs, describing an opportunist eagle who once snatched a fisherman’s pole with pink on the line. “It’s so cool to see them.”

When they spot salmon, the birds launch from their perch in the trees beside the river and land on their prey, dragging it to the adjacent shore to feed.

(Mark Newman/Getty Images)

The best viewing area for the eagles is the pullout off the Haines Highway at Mile Post 21 (marked by signs). The peak of congregation typically coincides, not incidentally, with the festival in the second week of November. Photographers line the river bed with tripods and all-weather gear to capture eagles in flight. When they spot salmon, the birds launch from their perch in the trees beside the river and land on their prey, dragging it to the adjacent shore to feed. Often, spectators catch a confluence of ravens and magpies that swoop in to squabble for the same fish. Late-denning grizzly bears sometimes join in on the fish feast.

The average high count of eagles is about 1,000 birds a year, counted from the ground, Randles says. That number is higher when aerial surveying is used, but plane data over the last 20 years is less consistent. The all-time high was in 2000, when Randles documented just shy of 3,000 birds. From 2009 to 2015, Randles’ counts averaged between 700 and 900 eagles.

The number of eagles in an area correlates with the abundance of fish, Randles says. In recent years, poor salmon returns in some stocks, or groups of salmon specific to certain areas, have meant a decline in eagles. This year, the Chilkat stock of chum failed to meet the healthy population estimate, or “escapement goal,” set by state biologists. State biologists measure the health of chum by counting those that come through a fish wheel on the Chilkat River, eight miles outside of Haines along the highway, then extrapolating from that number a goal population size.

Chum salmon missed their escapement goal range for 2020 significantly, by more than 50,000 fish, Zeiser says. She added that chum numbers across the state were a bust this year. State and federal agencies aren’t sure why this happened, though evidence points to environmental factors, such as poor ocean survival from fluctuating ocean temperatures or a lack of prey.

With less chum around, Zeiser says the eagles will have a harder time catching fish. Still, she’s confident the birds will survive one way or another. Missing the escapement goal one year is not a huge concern; falling short of it year after year is when it becomes an issue, according to the biologist. In 2017, the Board of Fisheries labeled the Chilkat king salmon a “stock of concern” after five years of diminishing returns. Since, more rigorous management has been put in place, contributing to a slight rebound in the stock.

“There are some coho salmon that also hang out and spawn in this area,” Zeiser says. “There should be something around for the eagles to eat, and if not, I’m sure they would adapt and eat a different food source to survive.”

Percolating groundwater keeps late fall runs of chum and coho salmon spawning well into winter months, providing food for the birds.

(Hegi1968/Getty Images)

When Tony Strong sips his coffee each morning from his home facing downriver on the Chilkat in Klukwan, he sees a host of animals who, like him, are indigenous to the land. Strong is Alaska Native Tlingit, a member of the Eagle-Wolf clan.

“When I see a large group of eagles, I’m seeing— emotionally—part of my family,” Strong says.

In the ancient village of Klukwan, salmon has provided sustenance as a primary source of protein for indigenous people for thousands of years. “This year has been worse than others,” Strong says of the fishing season. “Last year, you’d catch up to 100 [salmon] in one day.”

Typically, the Alaska Bald Eagle Festival’s eagle release takes place within the village, while a local group performs traditional Tlingit dances on the bank of the Chilkat River. Admission to the festival not only helps fund the foundation, but the influx of visitors helps support Klukwan’s museum, the Jilkaat Kwaan Heritage Center, which in turn helps preserve traditional knowledge and important clan regalia.

Klukwan sealed itself off from outside entry in March to protect village elders from Covid-19 infection. While the American Bald Eagle Foundation will remain open to visitors who follow state protocols and arrive in Haines, director Cheryl McRoberts urges would-be festivalgoers to hang on until next year.

Until then, locals in the Chilkat Valley are enjoying the eagles all to themselves.

“They’re starting to accumulate on the trees next to my house,” says Strong, who goes on to talk about the natural world around him. “We share this home with the eagles and with the ravens. They’re our neighbors. I am happy that people recognize our home as the home of the eagles, as well.”

#Nature

[bigyack-com]

Rahul Mishra is the first Indian designer to be part of the Haute Couture calendar - fashion and trends

It’s a proud moment for Indian fashion as the Committee of the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture (which met on November 20 this year) has invited designer Rahul Mishra as a “guest member” on the January 2020 Paris Haute Couture Week. The Kanpur boy has become the first Indian designer to be welcomed as a guest member in the prestigious and rarefied Haute Couture calendar. As a label rooted in the textiles of India, this marks a monumental leap for the design house that has time and again represented the craft that thrives in the villages of India. With this milestone the label embarks on a new chapter in its decade-long journey to sustainably empower craft clusters and celebrate the villages of India – the essence of our great nation. Over to the designer: India is steeped in the rich heritage of craftsmanship and savoir-faire. Why it took so long for an Indian designer to get recognized by the French Federation? Rahul Mishra:In my understanding, ‘Couture’ stands for more than just ‘handmade’. It stands for clothing that is custom made for an individual’s body and as it is fashion, in turn a representation of their personality. Couture also looks essentially, at a greater aspect of the craftsmanship that comes from innovation, originality and a wider range of traditional skills put together. In order for recognition by the FHCM, a fashion house must show a consistent track record of being able to consistently create an original global voice instead of creating a strong region-specific voice. A lot of the process for couture houses such as Dior, Chanel or Valentino happens in India and a lot of Savoir-faire or craftsmanship is done by the hands of Indian craftsmen hence, as an Indian designer, it is important to understand that just the craftsmanship is no longer a criteria that will alone take us there. It is important for the brand to showcase a mix of new technology, fresh aesthetics along with traditional value and that kind of communication needs to be projected consistently throughout a few seasons. You use Couture techniques even for your Ready-To-Wear, extrapolating embroideries and constructions to dramatic effects. What’s new that you are offering in Couture? Rahul Mishra:At our last two seasons, the FW Couture presentation that we did and our SS 2020 RTW show, we wanted to showcase something which blurs a boundary between Ready-To-Wear and Couture. We’ve always believed in that idea as a brand because, there’re too many brands which are making clothes that are typically trendy,such as Zara & H&M. I think people have numerous options to buy yet another black jacket or a basic white shirt and I think those brands will be closer to what people need when they are looking for just trendy clothes. We have wanted to focus on creating something which is more artistic, something that also represents what we are, and as a brand we also believe in expressing ourselves through our work. Often our clients,value that characteristic of our clothing. Their outfit becomes much more than just a piece of clothing. For this collection, I find a huge influence from my recent visit to Maldives which surfaces prominently in a part of the collection. I had a chance to snorkel on the trip and I found the underwater world rather fascinating.   Alongside, I have been spending a lot of time with my four-year-old daughter lately and she has just started to understand animation better; she is extremely drawn to the movie, Madagascar and we’ve watched it together for over thirty times. The characters and sensibilities of animated films have also had an influence in the making of this collection. We’re trying to take bigger risks while trying to reinvent our art and embroidery. The last month has been very stressful for us. From the time when we got the first news about our inclusion in Haute Couture, which we couldn’t officially share with everybody but started working on this collection. Also, because we were trying to invent it along completely new techniques, forms, shapes, which we want to present for this season. Otherwise, this collection has been a very intimate one with more of my time and emotions having been invested in it, it has taken us about a month to create a single sample after numerous hits and trials.We are again, racing against time, with a lot more research and development. It will see a culmination of our own craft as we’ve worked on bettering ourselves throughout the journey since its beginning where we also want to improve the finesse and feeling of the garment in terms of taking luxury to the next level. We are trying to weave far more art in our clothes. Since you’ve shown at Indian Couture Week and Paris Couture Week, how is Indian Couture different than Western Couture? Rahul Mishra: I was very happy that I did India Couture Week before getting my first show in Paris Couture Week. I did almost 5 years in India Couture Week before I was inducted for Paris Couture Week just the same way, when I first started Paris Fashion Week I’ve had my experience of five years of shows in India, somehow it helps us to understand what a show would take. But Couture in India is strongly driven by the client base& the bridal occasion wear market which is huge in India. All the brands including us, when creating something consider the shape, volume and intent for the clothing to be Indian occasion wear. On the other hand, Couture in Paris is completely off bridal. The federation pushes even the top designers to create pieces that are more conceptual or artistic over bridal. Haute Couture seriously defines original ideas, something which can be handcrafted and at the same time something that is very individualistic, created for that particular client. Something that is beyond trends but creates trend setting ideas. So, in that way Haute Couture being a pure form of expression of fashion and art, we are very blessed and excited to put forward a completely new journey for the brand in terms of our expression of art, craftsmanship and fashion coupled with our emotions.   Haute Couture is traditionally synonymous with something made by hand and made in France after multiple fittings on a client. Do you have an atelier in France or do you intend to have one in the future? Rahul Mishra:Haute Couture is a French exception and in France, the term haute couture is protected by law and is defined by the Chambre de commerce et d’industrie de Paris based in Paris as “the regulating commission that determines which fashion houses are eligible to be true haute couture houses” and become entitled to avail themselves of the label haute couture. There are three kinds of members drawn up in the list namely- Haute Couture Members (such as Maison Margiela, Givency, Dior, Chanel & Jean Paul Gaultier, etc.) which are fashion houses primarily based out of France, Correspondent Members (AzzedineAlaia, Elie Saab, Versace, Valentino & Giorgio Armani, etc.) which are fashion houses based outside of France i.e. are foreign & Guest Members (such as Ralph&Russo, RVDK Ronald Van Der Kemp, Iris Van Herpen, Zuhair Murad & now Rahul Mishra, etc.) which are brands that may graduate to correspondent or permanent members if as/if they fulfill the respective criteria in future. As we are a homegrown label, that finds its roots deep within the country, we are proudly a ‘Made in India’ label, reigning with support of our impeccable crafts and cultural heritage and it is a pure intention for us to remain thus. However, as we proceed to showcase more regularly on the calendar, our brand may graduate to the list of correspondent members as per the Federation’s discretion. You’re known for contemporising the India story. What’s the story you’re going to narrate on the runway at Paris Couture Week? Rahul Mishra:Our last collection was Metropolis, it was all about life in a city and how you look at cities. There were a lot of geometries that came with the buildings.. But this collection somehow reflects back at my journey in Maldives. There’s a beautiful place SonevaFushi, a beautiful resort which is a completely sustainable resort that works on recyclable ideas. It’s almost like an island straight from the movie Madagascar. Somehow a lot of islands also reflects our Indian tropical forests. It has got a very strong connection with some of the French artist and some Indian old paintings. So somehow this draws a parallel, and the narration looks like a story where I am trying to relive the experience which I had in the month of September. It’s like I’m trying to relive that experience by creating clothes and trying to weave this story through them. We have to weave all the natural stories of this beautiful planet through this collection.I’m super excited about this new journey. We’re also looking at a lot of 3-D explorations in terms of creating new shapes, where the 3-D exploration needs new age tailoring and we’re looking at that as an idea. A lot of engineer natural forms which are going to get juxtaposed to create interesting layers. Often this kind of artistic expression is difficult to describe in words but I am very excited. Traditionally, couture shows end with a statement bridal look - for example, Karl Lagerfeld’s Chanel finale dress made entirely out of a bouquet of camellias comes to mind. Please tell us about your showstopper outfit? Rahul Mishra:We are still conceiving our entire collection and we work with one of my very well-known stylist friend Elisa Nalin. It’s also a complete teamwork in-house so, till the time we do not complete the collection it’s difficult to say which one will be the last garment. This collection is going to be very directional and focused. We may not do a very serious bridal look, I guess that’s all I can share with you. It’ll be very artistic as of now and is going to be free from trends, commercial viability and any pressure which otherwise most of the brands might have. Are you specifically reviving any Indian art and craft for the global audience? The French taste in luxury is different from Indian take on luxury. How do you intend to strike a balance between Parisian chic and your core Indian sensibilities? Rahul Mishra:As a brand, we have created a very different universe of ours which is also ever evolving and we are deeply rooted with philosophy of creating more employment and work for our craftsmen. Right now we work with more than 1200 people. Even this Couture, we want to take it forward in terms of getting more inclusivity. So obviously all the techniques of hand embroidery, even hand cutting are typically Indian where it always reflects where it’s originated from. But my take on this collection is all about taking a kind of art expression which is global. We are taking inspiration from SonevaFushi, Maldives with the application that starts from some of the medieval Indian paintings, that finally reaches to a painting like Henry Rousseau’s work and try to find a beautiful synergy through our work. There will be a lot of movements in the embroidery. We’re working on strong and fluid forms, so our embroideries are going to appear fluid. It’s almost like the embroideries will originate from the fabric itself rather than lying flat on the surface. There are a lot of new techniques which we’re trying to explore. We’re exploring a new way of looking at embroidery and a new way of garment construction this season.As we’re closer to the show, we will share a bit more. The Selection Process The Federation de la Haute Couture et de la Mode as a body, comprises three Chambres Syndicales or central bodies (Haute Couture, Women’s Fashion, Men’s Fashion). The executive committee consists ofsix members including Francesca Belletini, President and Chief Executive Officer, Saint Laurent, Guillaume de Seynes, Executive Vice President, Hermès International and Bruno Pavlovsky, Fashion President, Chanel, Sidney, Toledano, Chairman & CEO LVMH Fashion Group. Thousands of brands send in their applications to the Federation each year out of which a few selections are made by the committee. It was a moment of immense honour for Brand Rahul Mishra to receive a kind recommendation letter from noted fashion critic Suzy Menkes where she had mentioned that she had seen the label’s in the past seasons at the Paris Fashion Week and in India and how she believed that the design house had a strong voice of its own. It was the hard work of 12 seasons in Paris that was recognised to facilitate for the label’s selection. Follow more stories on Facebook and Twitter Read the full article

[allbestnet]

Extreme Classics: The 100 Greatest Adventure Books of All Time by National Geographic Adventure Magazine

1. The Worst Journey in the World by Robert Falcon Scott                The Worst Journey in the World is a memoir of the 1910-1913 British Antarctic Expedition led by Robert Falcon Scott. It was written and published in 1922 by a survivor of the expedition, Apsley Che...                - 2. Journals by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark                In 1803, when the United States purchased Louisiana from France, the great expanse of this new American territory was a blank -- not only on the map but in our knowledge. President Thomas Jefferson...                - 3. Wind, Sand and Stars by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry                Wind, Sand and Stars (French title:Terre des hommes (Land of Men)) is a memoir by Antoine de Saint Exupéry published in 1939. It was translated from the French by Lewis Galantiere. The pilot and p...                - 4. The Exploration of the Colorado River by John Wesley Powell                The Exploration of the Colorado River and Its Canyons by John Wesley Powell is a classic of American exploration literature. It is about the Powell Geographic Expedition of 1869 which was the first...                - 5. Arabian Sands by Wilfred Thesiger                The southern Arabian desert, a quarter million square miles of sand (650,000 square kilometers), is now a place of oil wells and Land Rovers, but before the 1950s it was still known as the Empty Qu...                - 6. Annapurna by Maurice Herzog                Annapurna is a book by Maurice Herzog, expedition leader of the first recorded expedition to reach the summit of Annapurna in the Himalayas. The original text was written in French, first published...                - 7. Desert Solitaire by Edward Abbey                Desert Solitaire: A Season in the Wilderness is a literary nonfiction work by Edward Abbey (1927–89), published originally in 1968. His fourth book and his first book length non-fiction work, it f...                - 8. West With the Night by Beryl Markham                West With the Night is a 1942 memoir by Beryl Markham, chronicling her experiences growing up in Kenya (then British East Africa), in the early 1900s, leading to a career as a bush pilot there. It ...                - 9. Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer                                - 10. Travels by Marco Polo                                - 11. Farthest North by Fridtjof Nansen                                - 12. The Snow Leopard by Peter Matthiessen                The Snow Leopard is a 1978 book by Peter Matthiessen, which is an account of his two month journey along with naturalist George Schaller in 1973 to Crystal Mountain, in the Dolpo region on the Tibe...                - 13. Roughing It by Mark Twain                Roughing It is a book of semi-autobiographical travel literature written by American humorist Mark Twain. It was written during 1870–71 and published in 1872 as a prequel to his first book Innocent...                - 14. Two Years Before the Mast by Richard Henry Dana                Two Years Before the Mast is a book by the American author Richard Henry Dana, Jr., written after a two-year sea voyage starting in 1834 and published in 1840. A film adaptation under the same name...                - 15. South by Ernest Shackleton                                - 16. A Short Walk in the Hindu Kush by Eric Newby                                - 17. Kon-Tiki by Thor Heyerdahl                                - 18. Travels in West Africa by Mary Kingsley                                - 19. The Spirit of St. Louis by Charles Lindbergh                                - 20. Seven Years in Tibet by Heinrich Harrer                Seven Years in Tibet is an autobiographical travel book written by Austrian mountaineer Heinrich Harrer based on his real life experiences in Tibet between 1944 and 1951 during the Second World War...                - 21. Journals (Cook) by James Cook                Captain James Cook FRS RN (7 November [O.S. 27 October] 1728 – 14 February 1779) was a British explorer, navigator and cartographer, ultimately rising to the rank of Captain in the Royal Navy. Cook...                - 22. Home of the Blizzard by Douglas Mawson                                - 23. The Voyage of the Beagle by Charles Darwin                The Voyage of the Beagle is a title commonly given to the book written by Charles Darwin published in 1839 as his Journal and Remarks, which brought him considerable fame and respect. The title ref...                - 24. The Seven Pillars of Wisdom by T.E. Lawrence                Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Edward Lawrence CB, DSO (16 August 1888 – 19 May 1935), known professionally as T. E. Lawrence, was a British military officer renowned especially for his liaison role dur...                - 25. Travels in the Interior Districts of Africa by Mungo Park                                - 26. The Right Stuff by Tom Wolfe                The Right Stuff is a 1979 book by Tom Wolfe about the pilots engaged in U.S. postwar experiments with experimental rocket-powered, high-speed aircraft as well as documenting the stories of the firs...                - 27. Sailing Alone Around the World by Joshua Slocum                Sailing Alone Around the World (1899) is a sailing memoir by Joshua Slocum about his single-handed global circumnavigation aboard the sloop Spray. Slocum was the first person to sail around the wor...                - 28. The Mountain of My Fear by David Roberts                                - 29. A Wilderness Narrative by David Roberts                                - 30. First Footsteps in East Africa by Richard Burton                                - 31. The Perfect Storm by Sebastian Junger                The Perfect Storm is a creative nonfiction book written by Sebastian Junger and published by W. W. Norton & Company in 1997. The paperback edition followed in 1999 from HarperCollins' Perennial imp...                - 32. The Oregon Trail by Francis Parkman                                - 33. Through the Dark Continent by Henry M. Stanley                                - 34. A Lady's Life in the Rocky Mountains by Isabella L. Bird                                - 35. In the Land of White Death by Valerian Albanov                                - 36. Endurance by F.A. Worsley                                - 37. Scrambles Amongst the Alps by Edward Whymper                                - 38. Out of Africa by Isak Dinesen                Out of Africa is a memoir by Isak Dinesen, a nom de plume used by the Danish author Baroness Karen von Blixen-Finecke. The book, first published in 1937, recounts events of the seventeen years when...                - 39. Scott's Last Expedition: The Journals by Robert Falcon Scott                                - 40. Everest: The West Ridge by Thomas Hornbein                                - 41. Journey Without Maps by Graham Greene                Journey Without Maps (1936) is a travel account by Graham Greene, about a 350-mile, 4-week walk through the interior of Liberia in 1935. It was Greene's first trip outside of Europe. He hoped to le...                - 42. Starlight and Storm by Gaston Rébuffat                                - 43. My First Summer in the Sierra by John Muir                                - 44. My Life as an Explorer by Sven Hedin                Sven Anders Hedin was a Swedish geographer, topographer, explorer, photographer, and travel writer, as well as an illustrator of his own works. During four expeditions to Central Asia he discovered...                - 45. In Trouble Again by Redmond O'Hanlon                                - 46. The Man Who Walked Through Time by Colin Fletcher                The Man Who Walked Through Time (1968) is Colin Fletcher's chronicle of his trek inside the rim of The Grand Canyon from one end to the other. He was the first person to do so in one continues trek...                - 47. K2 The Savage Mountain by Charles Houston and Robert Bates                K2 is the second-highest mountain on Earth (after Mount Everest). With a peak elevation of 8,611 metres (28,251 ft), K2 is part of the Karakoram range, and is located on the border between the Taxk...                - 48. Gipsy Moth Circles the World by Francis Chichester                                - 49. Man-Eaters of Kumaon by Jim Corbett                                - 50. Alone by Richard Byrd                                - 51. Stranger in the Forest by Eric Hansen                Stranger in the forest (subtitle: on foot across Borneo) is a 1988 book by Eric Hansen about a seven months and 4000 km long journey (of which 2300 km on foot) through the heartland of Borneo in 19...                - 52. Travels in Arabia Deserta by Charles M. Doughty                                - 53. The Royal Road to Romance by Richard Halliburton                                - 54. The Long Walk by Slavomir Rawicz                                - 55. Mountaineering in the Sierra Nevada by Clarence King                                - 56. My Journey to Lhasa by Alexandra David-Neel                                - 57. Journal of the Discovery of the Source of the Nile by John Hanning Speke                                - 58. Running the Amazon by Joe Kane                Joe Kane is an American author of two books and is also a journalist who writes for numerous publications such as The New Yorker, National Geographic, and Esquire.                - 59. Alive by Piers Paul Read                Alive: The Story of the Andes Survivors is a 1974 book by the British writer Piers Paul Read documenting the events of Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571.                - 60. The Principal Navigations by Richard Hakluyt                                - 61. Incidents of Travel in Yucatan by John Lloyd                                - 62. 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[charllieeldridge]

Best Time to Visit Mexico: A Guide For Travellers

When is the best time to visit Mexico? Well, it really depends on where you’re going, and what you plan to do in this massive country. There’s a reason to travel to Mexico in each season.

The landscape of Mexico is very diverse. While it’s famous for its stunning beaches, the country also boasts deserts, mountains, jungles, and more. Deciding on the best time to visit Mexico largely depends on exactly where you want to go in this fascinating country.

As far as weather goes, it’s generally dry across most of Mexico in the winter and spring. The rainy season typically goes through summer and autumn in most places. 

A majority of the 40 million people who visit Mexico each year do so during the winter months. The beach towns are warm and dry, luring in planeloads of travellers escaping winter up north. 

I’ve spent a majority of the last 3 years crisscrossing Mexico. In that time, I’ve experienced every month in the country. There have been days with perfect weather, and others with the exact opposite. I’m here to help you figure out the best time to go to Mexico. 

Let’s do it! This is the ultimate guide to the best time to visit Mexico.

Peak Season

December-January, March-April, July-August

Not surprisingly, the most popular time to travel to Mexico is during the winter. This is when many snowbirds from the USA and Canada flock south of the border to escape the brutal winters of the north.

It gets especially busy at the end of the year with people travelling for Christmas and New Year’s. This time is often referred to as peak season, especially in coastal destinations like Puerto Vallarta and Playa del Carmen. 

While it may be the best time to travel to Mexico weather-wise, this is when you’ll find the largest crowds and highest prices. Be sure to lock down your accommodation early if you plan to spend the holidays in Mexico.

During the months of March and April, there’s a whole other peak season in Mexico. This is mostly true in beach towns such as Cancun during American Spring Break as well as Semana Santa (Holy Week/Easter). 

One sees popular destinations flooded with binge-drinking American students, while the other sees an influx of domestic tourists and travellers from other parts of the region. Outside of the big holidays, the high season in Mexico is a very pleasant time to visit the beach towns. 

There is yet another peak season in Mexico during the summer months. After all, this is when children have a long holiday from school. Beach towns and popular archaeological sites are swarmed on the weekends in July and August. 

The hot, humid, and rainy weather of the summer keeps most tourists away, so this peak season is mostly with domestic tourists. Travelling during the week in the summer usually means small crowds and low prices.

Don’t miss our Ultimate Guide to Travelling Mexico! It has all you need to know about the costs, cuisine, culture, beaches, cities, pros & cons, safety and much more.

Shoulder Season

March-May, October-November

In my humble opinion, the best time to visit Mexico just might be the shoulder seasons. Come March in Mexico, the crowds start to thin as snowbirds head home. This is also prime whale-watching time on the Pacific coast in places like Cabo San Lucas or La Paz.

With the exception of Semana Santa, April in Mexico is also a really nice time to visit. I recommend skipping out on Easter week unless you enjoy huge crowds and inflated prices. 

As far as the weather goes, the shoulder seasons mark the beginning or end of the rainy season. There isn’t much rain yet in May and it starts to taper off towards the end of October.

Another reason the shoulder season is the best time to go to Mexico is the Day of the Dead. This traditional holiday honouring the deceased takes place from November 1-2 and is a fascinating festival to experience. 

Off-Season

June-September

The low season for tourism in Mexico happens over the summer months. When I say low season, I mean for international visitors. There are far less people travelling to the coasts of Mexico at this time due to intense heat and heavy rains.

However, as I mentioned above, the summer months are still a busy time for domestic travel. This is mostly true on the weekends, so try to time your visit during the week for smaller crowds and better deals.

Having spent the last three summers living in Puerto Vallarta, I feel like the low season really isn’t that bad. It typically rains at night, so you can still enjoy the beach during the day.

There are also quite a few interesting holidays throughout these months. Oaxaca hosts the Guelaguetza festival of dance and music, while the country celebrates its Independence Day in September.  

Best Time To Visit Mexico for Beaches

If you’re headed to Mexico for some sun and sand, the winter months are your best bet.

The weather is nice and warm, the sun is shining, and there’s hardly any rain to speak of. With freezing temperatures in many parts of the world, it’s no wonder people flock to Mexico at this time.

Actually, you may want to consider beating the winter crowd by visiting in November or March. These months may be the best time to go to Mexico to enjoy la playa without hordes of tourists.

As far as beach destinations go, you are spoiled for choices. Mexico has an astounding 9,330 kilometres of coastline. A majority of it is on the Pacific Coast, where you can visit places like Sayulita, Manzanillo, Zihuatanejo, Mazatlan and Puerto Escondido. 

On the other side, you’ve still got plenty of options. Along the coast with the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, you’ll find some of Mexico’s most popular beach destinations like Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Isla Mujeres, Cozumel, and Tulum.

Best Time to Visit Mexico for Festivals

Mexico loves a good fiesta, and there always seems to be one going on. If you’re wondering when to go to Mexico to enjoy local festivals, you can honestly choose any month of the year.

Which month you decide to visit for festivals depends on your interests. There are festivals for just about everything in Mexico — food, music, cinema, film, art, literature, and so much more. 

In my opinion, the best time to visit Mexico for festivals is in the fall. In October, there’s the Cervantino Festival in Guanajuato, a film festival in Morelia, and the Fiestas de Octubre in Guadalajara. That’s right, the party lasts all month!

It’s worth it to stick around until November to celebrate Day of the Dead. There’s really no bad place to experience this important festival, but some of the best places include Patzcuaro, Oaxaca, and Mexico City. This segues perfectly into the next section.

Best Time to Go to Mexico for Cities

Thanks in large part to Day of the Dead festivities, I feel like November is the perfect time to visit Mexico’s cities. I recently spent a whole week in Mexico City to experience the holiday and the weather was perfect.

From there, I headed to Puebla and Oaxaca and had equally amazing weather. Wherever you go for Day of the Dead, just be sure to book well in advance as places fill up quickly. 

If you can’t make it to the cities in November, then the spring months are also quite nice. Visiting in April or May means nice weather and fewer tourists, with the exception of Semana Santa when the entire country is busy (in particular, San Miguel de Allende, and Mexico City).

Best Time to Visit Mexico for Ruins

One of the highlights of travelling to Mexico is visiting the country’s many incredible ruins. Places like Teotihuacan, Palenque, and Chichen Itza are are-inspiring, to say the least. They’re even better when you can enjoy them without massive crowds!

Once again, my vote goes to the shoulder seasons.

While you might have perfect weather at the Tulum ruins in December, you’ll be sharing them with busloads of selfie-stick waving tourists. Come early on a weekday in May and it will be a far more enjoyable experience.

I should mention that it’s always a good idea to visit the ruins early during the day, and during the week rather than weekends. Tour buses usually show up around 9 AM and school field trips in the afternoon. Most ruins are free for Mexicans on Sundays, leading to huge crowds.

Best Time to Visit Mexico for Whale Watching

Every year, whales travel to the Pacific Coast of Mexico during the winter months. There are many different types of whales that make the journey, but the easiest to spot are humpbacks as they’re not afraid of people.

From Baja California all the way down to Oaxaca, there are many opportunities for whale watching. Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta are all popular places to spot these majestic creatures.

The best time to visit Mexico for whale watching is between December and March, when they escape the freezing waters further north to mate and bear their calves. 

Best Time to Go to Mexico for Cheap Prices

If you’re trying to figure out the cheapest time to go to Mexico, your best bet is to plan a trip during the week in the summer. Sure you might have to deal with some rain and heat, but you’ll do so for a bargain price!

I can’t stress enough that the best deals are found during the week.

In my home away from home of Puerto Vallarta, for example, many hotels are still packed on the weekends with domestic tourists and therefore don’t offer any deals.

Travelling on a random weekday in the summer means you can find hotels and tours for super cheap prices. Many restaurants and bars also offer enticing deals to get people in the door during these slow times. This is definitely the cheapest time to go to Mexico.

Read more about bars and restaurants in Puerto Vallarta: A Guide to Drinking and Dancing in Puerto Vallarta and A Guide to the Top Places to Eat in PV.

Mexico in January

After celebrating New Year’s Eve, there are plenty of reasons to stick around Mexico in January. Actually, there are millions of reasons! I’m talking about the magnificent migration of the monarch butterflies to Mexico’s central region.

This is a very popular time to travel to Mexico, as people from colder climates seek to escape the harsh winter. If you want to ditch the snow for sand, Mexico in January is hard to beat!

Festivals in Mexico in January

New Year’s Day

Three Kings Day

Weather in Mexico in January

The weather is quite nice in Mexico in January, especially in coastal destinations. This is prime time for visiting the beach towns the country is famous for. 

It can get quite chilly at higher elevations, though. Places like Mexico City and San Cristobal de las Casas will require some warm clothing at this time of year. If it is warmth you seek, you may want to skip these kinds of places, but overall, Mexico is one of the top places to travel to in January.

Mexico in February

February is a great time to be in Mexico for many reasons. The busiest travel time of the year has died down but the weather remains very pleasant across the country.

The good times keep rolling in February, as several cities across Mexico host Carnival celebrations. There are actually several different holidays and festivals throughout the month, making this month a very fun time to visit.

Festivals in Mexico in February

Candlemas

Carnival

San Pancho Music Festival

Weather in Mexico in February

February is a wonderful time to visit Mexico weather-wise. For the most part, you’ll enjoy warm and sunny days with very little rain. It’s the perfect month for a beach vacation without the holiday crowds that are present in December and January.

Our first year in Puerto Vallarta, I remember February being one of the most pleasant months. It can get a tad bit chilly in the evenings even in beach towns like PV, so pack a light sweater and pants.

Mexico in March

March marks the end of the peak season in Mexico. Snowbirds are still hanging out south of the border waiting for the snow to melt up north and there are still plenty of tourists coming in and out for short trips.

If you’re hoping to soak up the sun on a relaxing beach holiday, be sure to check the calendar for American Spring Break. It usually falls in March. As a result, Mexico in March means crowds of hard-partying American kids in places like Cancun.

Festivals in Mexico in March

Festival de Mexico

Guadalajara International Film Festival

Spring Equinox

Weather in Mexico in March

Overall, the weather in March is still quite nice. It starts to get a bit warmer than the other winter months but doesn’t get uncomfortably hot. There still isn’t much rain in March, either.

With the arrival of spring, this is a good time to travel to places at a higher altitude. Mexico City is great this time of year, with nice weather for exploring the city during the day.

Mexico in April

Mexico in April is a very busy time. There’s another peak season when Semana Santa (Holy Week) rolls around. This time, it’s mostly people from across Mexico and Latin America at large who crowd the beaches. 

While crowds are big during that week, they start to thin out the rest of the month. April is shoulder season, meaning it’s easier to find deals. There’s definitely a case to be made for April being the best time to visit Mexico.

Festivals in Mexico in April

Jalisco Talentland

Beyond Wonderland Monterrey

Weather in Mexico in April

April really is a fantastic time to travel to Mexico weather-wise. It’s the driest month of the year in the Yucatan and also one of the warmest months in the central part of the country.

If you’re trying to decide when to go to Mexico to enjoy nice weather without huge crowds, April is a good choice. Just be sure to check when Semana Santa (Easter) is and schedule your trip for after it finishes!

Mexico in May

If you’re trying to decide the best time to go to Mexico without big crowds and high prices, May is a solid choice. The high season is long gone and the summer travel season for locals hasn’t started yet.

Festivals in Mexico in May

Cinco de Mayo

Puerto Vallarta Festivals (Down Vallarta, Restaurant Week, Pride)

Weather in Mexico in May

Things are definitely starting to heat up in Mexico in May, especially on the coast and in the lowlands. That being said, it’s not too hot to ruin your trip and there isn’t too much rain yet.

May is a great month for a beach vacation. It’s generally dry and hot, and the crowds are much smaller than the first few months of the year. It’s also a good time to hit some cultural sites like the ruins before the intense summer heat and rain arrives. 

Mexico in June

When June rolls around, it’s officially low season in Mexico. Heat and rain tend to scare away many international visitors, while domestic tourists are waiting for their kids to go on summer holiday.

Due to the change in weather, June may be the best time to visit Mexico if you’re hoping to do so on a budget. With smaller crowds comes better deals, and you’ll have your pick of accommodation without needing to book super far in advance.

Festivals in Mexico in June

Dia de los Locos (Day of the Crazy People)

Los Cabos Open of Surf

Weather in Mexico in June

For much of Mexico, June marks the beginning of the rainy season. If you’re hoping to escape the rain, Baja California is your best bet as it is still quite dry there.

Having lived through a few rainy seasons in Mexico, I can speak from plenty of experience that June really isn’t that bad. It might rain for an hour or so during the afternoon but you still have plenty of time to enjoy a day on the beach or exploring the city.

Mexico in July

Mexico in July isn’t much different from June. It’s just a bit hotter and wetter! The heat and rain are enough to scare off most tourists, meaning you’ll find some incredible bargains.

This also begins the busy summer holiday period for Mexicans to travel, but it only gets really busy on weekends. Consider planning a visit during the week to take advantage of low prices and small crowds.

Festivals in Mexico in July

Guelaguetza Festival

Whale Shark Festival

Weather in Mexico in July

If you’re visiting Mexico in July, be sure to pack your umbrella! Rainy season is in full swing across most of the country. It’s also hurricane season over on the east coast, so you may want to take that into consideration before booking a trip there.

It’s not as if it rains all day, every day. Sure, you might get a little wet here and there, but if you get up early you can usually fit plenty in before the rain comes.

Mexico in August

There really isn’t a whole lot to say about Mexico in August to differentiate it from the other summer months. At this point in the summer, things start to get a bit extreme with the heat and rain. There’s a reason you won’t find that many tourists here at this time of year!

That being said, August is still a fine time to travel to Mexico. This is especially true if you’re a music lover. Just take a look at some of the festivals going on this month.

Festivals in Mexico in August

Chamber Music Festival

International Mariachi Festival

Weather in Mexico in August

If I could describe the weather in Mexico in August in one word, it could be caliente! This is the hottest month of the year in the Yucatan and in Baja. Head to higher altitudes if you don’t want to spend your trip dripping sweat.

August is also a very wet month in most places. Be sure to plan some indoor activities during this time.

Mexico in September

In Puerto Vallarta, locals refer to September as “Sept-hambre,” or “the hungry month.” Mexican kids are back in school and the tourists are staying away to avoid the heat and rain, so it’s a super slow time of year tourism-wise.

If you’re wondering what the best time to visit Mexico on a budget is, you’re looking at it! The best deals can be found in Mexico in September, and it’s also quite a festive time to be in the country.

Festivals in Mexico in September

Independence Day

Feria Nacional Zacatecas

Weather in Mexico in September

Keep an eye on the weather forecast if you hope to visit the Yucatan, as this is the peak of hurricane season. It’s also the wettest month of the year on the other coast in Baja, so you can expect to get drenched if travelling there in September.

Temperatures are also quite high across the country. If you head to Mexico in September, you may want to look inland and head to higher elevations to stay cool.

Mexico in October

The low season begins to transition back into the shoulder season in Mexico in October. With temperatures finally falling a bit and the rain easing up, tourists slowly begin to trickle back in.

This is a great time to travel to Mexico as crowds are quite small and it’s still possible to find some excellent deals. If you hope to spend several months here, October is the perfect time to lock down long-term accommodation at a reasonable rate.

Festivals in Mexico in October

Fiestas de Octubre

Cervantino Festival

Weather in Mexico in October

After a long, hot, wet summer, things finally start to cool down a bit in Mexico in October. Actually, it gets downright chilly in the interior of Mexico during the evenings. 

The rainy season is coming to an end in October, but it’s still quite wet on both coasts. This is the time of year when (if you live here) you really get fed up with all the rain after several months of it!

Mexico in November

As I’ve already mentioned, November just might be the best time to visit Mexico. The weather is nice and the high season crowds haven’t fully arrived yet. 

Perhaps the best part about travelling to Mexico in November is the wealth of festivals going on throughout the country. There’s enough going on here to keep you busy all month, starting with one of the most important Mexican holidays.

Festivals in Mexico in November

Day of the Dead

Revolution Day

Corona Capital

Weather in Mexico in November

Mexico in November is a great time to hit the beach. The water is still nice and warm for swimming, the heavy rains are all but gone, and temperatures are pleasant.

This is also a good month to get out there and enjoy the great outdoors. If you want to visit the ruins and other cultural sites without huge crowds and sweltering heat, do it in November.

Mexico in December

High season is back in full swing in December. With the arrival of bitter cold temperatures up north, the snowbirds once again flock south of the border. Tourists from all corners of the globe head to Mexico to soak up the sun with margaritas and tacos.

With the increase in crowds comes the inevitable increase in price. You’ll definitely want to seek out your accommodation in advance when you travel to Mexico in December. This is especially true for the week of Christmas and New Year’s

Festivals in Mexico in December

Feast of the Virgin Guadalupe

Christmas

Weather in Mexico in December

The weather in Mexico in December is quite nice, especially if you’re travelling from up north! It’s warm and sunny on both coasts and the rain is a thing of the past, making for perfect beach days.

Further inland, this is actually the coldest month of the year in places like Mexico City. Be sure to pack some warm clothing if you’re headed there. If you forget, there’s always tequila to warm you up.

The Best Time to Visit Mexico Overall

So, when really is the best time to visit Mexico? I wish I could give you a definitive answer, but it really depends on what you’re interested in experiencing! Allow me to explain with a few different scenarios:

December – March

If you’re travelling to Mexico for the sole purpose of a nice beach vacation (you don’t want any rain), and you don’t mind splurging on a nice place to stay, you’ll want to visit between December and March. 

Christmas and New Year’s

If you’re the type who can plan far in advance and doesn’t mind crowds, the week of Christmas and New Year’s is an amazing time to visit Mexico.

October or November

If your main goal is to soak up the local culture, I’d recommend you visit Mexico in October or November for all the wonderful festivals that go on at that time. 

April

Perhaps you’re the type who enjoys the great outdoors more than cities and beaches. If you want to do some hiking in Mexico and visit the ruins without the crowds, then you may want to time your visit in April right after Semana Santa.

Now You Know When to Visit Mexico!

That’s the great thing about planning a trip to Mexico — there really is no bad time to go! The best time to visit Mexico can be any month depending on your interests and your budget. 

That being said, based on years of travelling around the country, I’ll cast my vote for November.

While it might not be the cheapest time to go to Mexico, it’s still affordable as it’s not the high season yet. Being able to experience Day of the Dead is reason enough to make this the best time to travel to Mexico. 

Once the big holiday wraps up, November makes for an excellent month to travel around Mexico. The weather is nice and the winter crowds haven’t arrived yet. In all of my Mexico travels, I feel like I’ve enjoyed November the most.

However, one thing is for sure, no matter which month you choose to visit, you’re going to have a great time in Mexico. Happy travels! 

The post Best Time to Visit Mexico: A Guide For Travellers appeared first on Goats On The Road.

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[newyorktheater]

Ruthie Ann Miles and Kelli O’Hara

Ruthie Ann Miles as Imelda Marcos in David Byrne’s “Here Lies Love”

In the week since the horrendous car crash in Park Slope that killed two young children, including the four-year-old daughter of Broadway actress Ruthie Ann Miles, and put her in the hospital, almost 8,000 people raised more than $400,000 to help her family.

The driver who ran the red light has chronic illnesses, and was “cited on four previous occasions for running red lights and another four for speeding through a school zone.”

  pic.twitter.com/Dx0f3RLnOy

— Ruthie Ann Miles (@RuthieAnnMiles) March 8, 2018

  Here she is in 2015 singing Something Wonderful from The King and I, a role for which she won a Tony Award.

This week in New York theater: The Prom gets a date; Hamilton breaks another record, playwrights Lucas Hnath and Suzan Lori Parks get rich. A preview of Rise, the new TV series about a high school drama class. And two startling revelations from Shakespeare scholars in Cincinnati.

  The Week in New York Theater Reviews

Chukwudi Iwuji and Chris Perfetti,

The Low Road

Bruce Norris’s “The Low Road”  presents the improbable adventures of a scoundrel, one Jim Trewitt, to whom an adversary rightfully attributes “a rather comprehensive wickedness.” It is a wild ride through the first two decades of Jim’s life in Colonial America, which lead up to the American Revolution, peopled by some 50 vivid characters – whores and highwaymen and Hessians; celibates and slaves and British soldiers; Mohegan scouts , rich liberal benefactors and giant alien bees — portrayed by a superb cast of 17, including Chris Perfetti as the delightfully sniveling anti-hero, and the priceless Harriet Harris as the naïve Madame who raises him. Norris intends “The Low Road” as a lesson in economics – or, more precisely, as a cautionary tale about the evils of Republican-style capitalism.

Hangmen

“Hangmen” is Martin McDonagh’s first new play in New York since the misbegotten “A Behanding in Spokane” in 2010 (He’s been busy elsewhere, most recently writing and directing the Oscar-nominated film “Three Billboards in Ebbing, Missouri.”) “Hangmen” is undeniably entertaining….There are however several caveats…As with many McDonagh plays, the mordant humor, as funny as much of it is, involves a gleeful reliance on violence bordering on the sadistic.

Mark Blum, Jamie Brewer and Vanessa Aspillaga,

Amy and the Orphans

“Amy and the Orphans” is inspired by the playwright’s own Aunt Amy (who “was born with Down syndrome during a time in this country when medical professionals told my grandparents they’d just given birth to a ‘Mongolian idiot’” who should be institutionalized), and by her introduction to Jamie Brewer, the actress with Down Syndrome who is portraying Amy. “Spending only an hour with Jamie completely changed what I believed people with Down syndrome were capable of, despite having known my aunt my whole life.” It’s plainly the playwright’s main aim to have the audience spend 90 minutes with Amy/Jamie and change our beliefs as well.

queens

In “queens,” the latest resonant, heartfelt play by Martyna Majok, a Polish immigrant woman named Renia reigns over a crumby basement in the New York City borough of Queens, but she sees it as her home, her world, and her salvation…

“queens” is not just a portrait of one woman, but of a community of women, mostly newly arrived in America, who pass through this cluttered basement, with nowhere else to live, from 2001 (shortly after September 11th) to 2017.

Week in New York Theater News

The Prom, with Beth Leavel, @therealsieber, and  Brooks Ashmanskas, is opening at the Cort Theater November 15. Plot: 4 “fading Broadway stars” descend on small-town Indiana prom to bask in publicity by supporting a student who wants to bring her girlfriend.

A sneak preview from BroadwayCon:

History repeating itself, across the pond: Hamilton gets 13 nominations for 2018 Olivier Awards, the most in the British award’s history. Not surprising, given what the British critics said

Other New York-affiliated shows nominated for Olivier Awards include Angels in America (which originated in England and is now on Broadway), Audra McDonald for Lady Day (which originated on Broadway), The Ferryman (which will be on Broadway in October), as well as a slew of shows by American playwrights.

Full list

Playwrights Lucas Hnath & @suzanloriparks among eight writers to be awarded @WindhamCampbell Prizes — each receiving $165,000!https://t.co/kpnc0tdlyz pic.twitter.com/pgjen8fkhL

— New York Theater (@NewYorkTheater) March 7, 2018

The 2018 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize has been awarded to U.K. playwright Alice Birch for her play “Anatomy of a Suicide”. Now celebrating its 40th anniversary, the Prize is awarded annually to recognize women from around the world who have written works of outstanding quality for the English-speaking theatre. “Anatomy of a Suicide” premiered to glowing reviews at the Royal Court in the spring of 2017, directed by Katie Mitchell. The play portrays three generations of women struggling with a legacy of depression in a family haunted by its past.

Evan Yionoulis, professor at Yale Drama School, to lead the drama division at the Juilliard School, succeeding the late James Houghton.

2018-19 Paper Mill Playhouse season: September: Unmasked by Andrew Lloyd-Webber. November: Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn. January 2019: My Very Own British Invasion (music by Beatles, Herman’s Hermits et al).April: Benny & Joon, musical based on movie. May: Disney’s Beauty & the Beast 2018-19

2018-19 Primary Stages

Sept: Final Follies by A.R. Gurney

Nov: Downstairs by Theresa Rebeck, wit  Tyne Daley

Jan 2019: God Said This, by Leah Nanako Winkler

May: Little Women by Kate Hamill

  Collective Rage: A Play in 5 Betties, written by Jen Silverman and directed by Mike Donahue.  replaces MCC’s recently canceled production of Neil LaBute’s Reasons to Be Pretty Happy.”

Darko Tresnjak, who’s just announced he’s leaving his job as artistic director of the Hartford Stage Company next year, is taking over as director of “This Ain’t No Disco,” at the Atlantic Theater Company this summer. Trip Cullman, who is currently directing “Lobby Hero” at the Helen Hayes, had scheduling conflicts.

RISE — “Most of All to Dream” Episode 102 — Pictured: Josh Radnor as Lou Mazzuchelli

RISE — “Most of All to Dream” Episode 102 — Pictured: (l-r) Ted Sutherland as Simon Saunders, Sean Grandillo as Jeremy — (Photo by: Virginia Sherwood/NBC)

Rise premieres March 13

Based on “Drama High,” Michael Sokolove’s 2013 nonfiction book about the visionary Levittown, Pa., teacher Lou Volpe, the first 10-episode season follows the permanently rumpled Lou from the moment he lands the drama job, beating out Rosie Perez’s better-qualified fellow teacher, to the opening night of his first musical: “Spring Awakening.” Hamilton  producer Jeffrey Seller is making his first foray into series TV The showrunner of Rise, is Jason Katims, who created Friday Night Lights, and sees the show as closer to that sensibility than Glee.

Nevertheless, there are so many musical numbers that Atlantic Records will each Friday release original cast recordings of the tracks featured in the following Tuesday’s episode of “Rise,” culminating in a full album in May.

Last Friday, they released five, including:

“Glorious (Rise Cast Version)” – Rise Cast, Auli’i Cravalho & Damon J. Gillespie

  Broadway Standouts at the Oscars

The fabulous @KealaSettle!! The rest of the world gets to hear what we’ve done on Broadway for years! pic.twitter.com/Yamo8OQTcE

— New York Theater (@NewYorkTheater) March 5, 2018

  You’ve got to love this couple! They just won their second #Oscars for Best Song for @pixarcoco Their beloved songs – and new ones — are in @FrozenBroadway, opening this month! pic.twitter.com/lkuMOn61NS

— New York Theater (@NewYorkTheater) March 5, 2018

With his Oscar, Bobby Lopez becomes 1st ever Double #EGOT (DEGOT?), with two Emmys, two Grammys, two Oscars and two Tonys (for Avenue Q and The Book of Mormon) .

Unexpected Broadway trend: Two of this season’s new musicals (SpongeBob and Escape to Margaritaville) feature scenes on volcanoes.

  Shakespeare in Cincinnati

“Hamlet” outside Cincinnati Shakespeare Company

Brian Isaac Phillips, CSC’s producing artistic director in front of the set for the current production of “Othello.”

on the wall of CSC

Each room is named after a pub mentioned in Shakespeare’s plays

Shakespeare wrote his plays knowing they would be cut during performance, says Terri Bourus of the New Oxford Shakespeare Project, speaking at a panel on Shakespeare for the the first-ever Regional Conference of the American Theatre Critics Association in Cincinnati over the weekend. The city fathers of London REQUIRED running time be no more than around 2 hours, to avoid the spread illness and insurrection. Full Hamlet takes four hours.

As a result of the research conducted for the New Oxford Shakespeare Project, Bourus maintained, there will no longer be 38 plays in the Shakespeare canon. There will be 43, including The History of Cardenio and Arden of Fevershame

Gary Taylor and Terri Bourus, general editors of The New Oxford Shakespeare Project, in the lobby of the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company after the Shakespeare panel

The panel was held at the brand new $17.5 million building of the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, which features state-of-the-art acoustics and lots of whimsical touches: a sculpture of a pig outside entitled “Hamlet,” rooms named after pubs in Shakespeare’s plays (like The Elephant.) CSC began in a church basement 25 years ago; the Otto M. Budig Theater is its fifth venue, the first specifically constructed for the theater, and one that it owns.

CSC’s building is only one of an extraordinary amount of theater/arts building and rebuilding happening in Cincinnati, including a $135 million renovation of Cincinnati’s Music Hall

and continuing expansion of Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati as well plans for a new theater from the Tony-winning Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park.

  Ruthie Ann Miles. Rise is Not Glee. Bard Cut and Expanded. Week in New York and Cincinnati Theater In the week since the horrendous car crash in Park Slope that killed two young children, including the four-year-old daughter of Broadway actress Ruthie Ann Miles, and put her in the hospital, …

[milwaukeerep]

“Holmes and Watson” Casting

The Rep is pleased to announce casting for the next Quadracci Powerhouse show, Holmes and Watson, running November 14-December 17. All the male cast members are returning to The Rep for this show and Ms. Kettering will be making her Rep debut.  Welcome all!

Mark Corkins

Mark is delighted to return to The Rep. Milwaukee audiences will recognize Mark from his long history with the local theater community. In addition to his many seasons with The Rep, he has performed with Next Act Theatre, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, First Stage, In Tandem, Optimist Theater, Cooperative Performance, and most recently Milwaukee Opera Theatre. Of his dozens of shows with The Rep, a few favorites include: The Cherry Orchard, King Lear, True West, Seascape, End Game, and A Christmas Carol. Mark has worked nationally with: Stage West, Berkeley Rep, Arena Stage, Berkshire Theatre Festival, Utah Shakespeare, SITI Company--to name a few. He's also spent many summers in Spring Green with American Players Theatre, where favorite productions include: Anthony and Cleopatra, The Government Inspector, Uncle Vanya, and The Importance of Being Earnest. This past summer Mark performed with Door Shakespeare as Sir Toby in Twelfth Night and Pierre in The Heart of Robin Hood. Earlier this year Mark was honored to serve as a panelist for "Transformation through Training: Symposium on the Suzuki Method of Actor Training" in celebration of SITI Company's 25th Anniversary season.  

                                                  Matt Corkins in The Foreigner 2003/04 Season

Grant Goodman

Grant is thrilled to return to Milwaukee Rep where he has appeared as Mr. Darcy in Pride & Prejudice, Dr. Givings in In the Next Room or The Vibrator Play, Alfred Lunt in Ten Chimneys, Jim/Tom in Clybourne Park and as Fred in A Christmas Carol. Most recently Grant appeared in Heartbreak House at Hartford Stage, Shakespeare in Love at Cleveland Playhouse and King Charles III at Pioneer Theatre Company. National Tours include: The Merchant of Venice starring F. Murray Abraham.  Off-Broadway credits include: Richard II (Pearl Theatre), Antony & Cleopatra, The Merchant of Venice (Theatre for a New Audience), King Lear, Iliad (Lincoln Center), Pericles (Red Bull Theater). Regional credits include extensive work with such theatres as: Yale Repertory, Shakespeare Theatre Company (DC), Chicago Shakespeare Theater, The Old Globe, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Court Theatre, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, PlayMakers Repertory, Indiana Repertory, Syracuse Stage, People's Light (Philadelphia), Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, Arizona Theatre Company and the Utah, Illinois, Notre Dame and Kentucky Shakespeare Festivals among many others. Film/Television includes: As the World Turns, Sex and the City, Sleepers. Training: Graduate of NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. grantgoodmantheatre.com

                                              Grant Goodman in Clybourne Park 2012/13 Season

Ryan Imhoff

Ryan is jazzed to return to Milwaukee Rep where he appeared as Tom in last season's The Glass Menagerie. Regional credits include work with American Players Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Windy City Playhouse, Utah Shakespeare Festival, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, New Theatre, Human Race Theatre, New Swan, Little Theatre on the Square, Know Theatre and Theatre Out. TV/Film: Chicago PD, Wilt. Education: M.F.A., UC, Irvine; B.F.A., WSU. Love to his family and to Christine. This one's for his little brother, Todd, with whom he started a detective agency in the fourth grade. They never solved any cases but they had a fine time.

                                           Ryan Imhoff in The Glass Menagerie 2016/17 Season

Maggie Kettering

Maggie is thrilled to make her debut at The Rep. Previously she has worked with Peninsula Players Theatre (Outside Mullingar, Lend Me a Tenor), Great Lakes Theatre (A Christmas Carol, Love’s Labour’s Lost, And Then There Were None, Blithe Spirit, Much Ado about Nothing), House Theatre (Season on the Line - Joseph Jefferson Nomination), Shakespeare Theatre Company (Henry IV, parts 1 and 2), Chicago Shakespeare Theatre (Midsummer Night’s Dream), TimeLine Theatre (My Kind of Town), Northlight Theatre (Season’s Greetings - Jack Springer Award), Michigan Shakespeare Festival (Romeo and Juliet, Comedy of Errors),  Irish Theatre of Chicago, Texas Shakespeare Festival, Idaho Shakespeare Festival, Virginia Shakespeare Festival, Contemporary American Theatre Festival, Warehouse Theatre, and Delaware Theatre Company. Maggie is a proud member of Actor’s Equity and a resident of Chicago.

 Norman Moses

Norman is happy to be returning to Milwaukee Rep, where he was last seen in Tomfoolery and The Sunshine Boys. This past summer he played Malvolio in Twelfth Night and Makepeace in The Heart of Robin Hood at Door County Shakespeare Theatre. Other roles include Georges in La Cage Aux Folles and Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady at Skylight Music Theatre, Judge Taylor/Walter Cunningham in To Kill a Mockingbird at Resident Ensemble Players in Delaware, Charles II/William in Or at Forward Theater, Robert Lowell in Dear Elizabeth at Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, Antoine in The House of Martin Guerre at Goodman Theatre, and Robert in Bloomsday at Next Act Theatre. When not on stage, he prepares tax returns for people in the arts and works part time at Lakefront Brewery as a tour guide. Best. Job. Ever.

                                                   Norman Moses in Tomfoolery 2004/05 Season

Eric Damon Smith

Eric happily returns to The Rep and was last seen as Bud in Gutenberg! The Musical and as an acting intern during the 2002-03 season. Recent work includes Blithe Spirit (Charles), Much Ado About Nothing, and As You Like It at Great Lakes Theatre; Sweeney Todd and Richard III (directed by Joe Hanreddy) at Idaho Shakespeare Fest; Pericles, Fair Maid of the West, and The Merchant of Venice at Riverside Theatre. A Chicago based actor and director, he is Producing Artistic Assoc. of Muse of Fire Theatre Company and studied at Hofstra University.  Proud AEA member.

                          Eric Damon Smith in Gutenberg! The Musical 2012/13 Season

Rex Young

Rex is happy to return to The Rep after last performing here in 2000.  Roles at The Rep include Freddie in Noises Off, Stepson in Six Characters in Search of an Author, Benito in Benito Cereno.  He has been a company member of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival for twenty seasons. Favorite roles there include Ford in The Merry Wives of Windsor, Dogberry in Much Ado About Nothing, George in The Language Archive, Sir Andrew in Twelfth Night, and Weinberl in On The Razzle.  He has also performed with the Cincinnati Playhouse in The Park, Actor’s Theatre Of Louisville, Indiana Repertory Theatre, Long Wharf Theatre, Utah Shakespeare Festival, Great River Shakespeare Festival, Seattle Shakespeare Company, Playmakers Rep, and others.  Film/TV: Captain Fantastic, ABCD, “All My Children,” “Designing Women.” Education: BFA Southern Oregon University, ART Institute at Harvard University.

By Sara Risley 

[gunboatbaylodge]

Things to Do in Vancouver this Weekend: June 1, 2017

Happy June! It’s heating up outside, the parks are filling with sun loungers and there’s long line-ups at the best ice cream spots; summer in Vancouver has begun! To complement the long warm days this weekend, Bard on the Beach’s tents are up and the shows are on; Craft Beer Week’s festival is on at Playland; the Children’s Festival is on Granville Island; Music Waste is filling up venues with music, art and comedy; and to finish there’s a food truck festival on Sunday.

Friday | Saturday | Sunday | Ongoing

Friday June 2

Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival

Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival Where: Vanier Park What: What do you say to watching a live production of Much Ado About Nothing, The Winter’s Tale, The Merchant of Venice or The Two Gentlemen of Verona in a custom-built tent on the beach while sipping wine, beer, and munching on a picnic lunch themed to the play? Yes! Right? After 28 years, this festival has hit a stride of near perfection (and don’t even get us started on the amazing costumes.) You could also win tickets – here. Runs until: Saturday September 23, 2017

Vancouver International Children’s Festival

Vancouver International Children’s Festival Where: Granville Island What: The first of its kind in North America, it began as a theatre festival for young audiences presenting international performances. Today the Festival is multi-disciplinary presenting theatre, music, dance, circus, puppetry and storytelling and over the years has been an inspiration to major cities throughout Canada and abroad, where annual children’s festivals now take place. Tickets available at Tickets Tonight. Runs until: Sunday June 4, 2017

The Goh Ballet: The Four Seasons & More Where: The Vancouver Playhouse Theatre What: Goh Ballet’s Spring Performances will feature the World Premiere of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons Ballet accompanied by Vancouver Academy of Music’s Concertante String Orchestra. Come and witness future stars of dance and music take flight in this trailblazing production that showcases the world-class talent in our province. Runs until: Saturday June 3, 2017

Music Waste Festival | Band: So Loki | Image by: Jacob Gradowski

Music Waste Festival Where: Various locations What: A festival of Vancouver music, art and comedy that is passion-driven, not corporate sponsored, and financially accessible. All of the shows cost a maximum of $ 5 and are held at venues within walking distance. Runs until: Sunday June 4, 2017

Creative Visions: Hong Kong Cinema 1997-2017

Creative Visions: Hong Kong Cinema 1997-2017 Where: The Cinematheque What: This year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). To celebrate, the HKSAR Government takes great pleasure in presenting a number of specially curated film programs on Hong Kong cinema in 10 cities across Europe, North America, and South Korea, in addition to four cities in Mainland China and in Hong Kong. Runs until: Friday June 23, 2017

Last Train In

Last Train In Where: The Cultch What: Written and performed by award-winning theatre and film maker Adam Grant Warren, who was born with Cerebral Palsy, Last Train In is drawn from his lived experience. It is not, however, a typical story of disability and triumph over adversity. It is not about finding a way despite overwhelming odds. Instead, it’s about travel, romance, career expectations, and the all-too-human tendency to… embellish. Runs until: Sunday June 4, 2017

Midnight Oil

Midnight Oil Where: The Commodore What: Legendary Australian rock band and agitators Midnight Oil today announced their first World Tour in over two decades. (Hits like Beds are Burning and Blue Sky Mine are to be expected.)

East Side Flea Where: 1024 Main What: Over 50 local vendors, food trucks, a live deejay, artisan showrooms, seasonal drink specials, pinball and more. Runs until: Sunday June 4, 2017

  Saturday June 3

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Vancouver Craft Beer Week Festival

Vancouver Craft Beer Week Festival Where: Playland What: In addition to the biggest selection of craft beer and cider in one place, the VCBW Festival also features art installations, live music, deejays, food trucks, market stalls, brewing demonstrations, and a games area with pinball and foos ball, and a pop up barber shop – because the best time to get a new haircut is definitely after a few beers. Runs until: Sunday June 3, 2017

Vancouver Facial Hair Club 3rd Annual Competition

Vancouver Facial Hair Club 3rd Annual Competition Where: The Lamplighter What: The bearded and the ‘stached compete in multiple categories! Proceeds go to  HeadsUpGuys, a resource for supporting men in their fight against depression.

STRUT

STRUT Where: English Bay What: Homosexuality is still a criminal offense in 79 countries worldwide. This is an annual walk-a-thon that raises funds to support sponsorship groups and charities that actively assist LGBTQ2+ refugees & newcomers. Flouting gender norms is a symbol of power and resistance in the LGBTQ2+ community; the freedom to do, act, wear, say or be who they wish without fear of persecution.

Good Noise Vancouver Gospel Choir presents Soul Gospel II

Good Noise Vancouver Gospel Choir presents Soul Gospel II Where: Christ Church Cathedral What: Rising-star R&B sensation Warren Dean Flandez, recent JUNO nominee and two-time winner at the 2017 Canadian Gospel Music Awards, will charm audiences with his rich vocals alongside the mighty 90 voices of Good Noise. Back by popular demand, this musical event will combine the best of soul and gospel, with inspirational classics made famous by Al Green, Stevie Wonder, Sam Cooke, and more. Audiences will also be treated to a taste of Flandez’ own infectiously groovy works.

Day Wave

Day Wave Where: The Biltmore What: Californian guitar-based dream pop with electronic undertones.

Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Atlanta United

Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Atlanta United Where: BC Place Stadium What: Soccer. Shouting. Cheering. Hot dogs. Beers.

Tom Lee Music Grand Re-Opening

Tom Lee Music Grand Re-Opening Where: 728 Granville What: Door crasher deals, exclusive & limited edition products, prize draws, demos and workshops showcasing its full-line selection of top brand musical instruments, equipment and cutting-edge, digital music technology. Performances will be throughout the weekend by acclaimed artists: renowned Steinway pianist Jenny Lin, guitar master & Wide Mouth Mason front man Shaun Verreault, prolific pianist/singer/songwriter Michael Kaeshammer, piano virtuoso Ian Parker, and more. Runs until: Sunday June 4, 2017

Dayglo Abortions Where: The Rickshaw What: Brent “Fubar” Johnson Memorial Show with Powerclown, Rampage, the Strugglers, Wasted Strays, Scum Element.

  Sunday June 4

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StreetFood Vancouver Festival

StreetFood Vancouver Festival Where: 88 Pacific Blvd. What: Twenty-two food trucks, a local arts and makers market, mini golf, face painting, music, and… free admission!

Sunday Art Market

Sunday Art Market Where: Jim Deva Plaza What: Local artists, vendors and makers, largely from Vancouver’s West End, along with musical and other live performances and artist-led workshops to drop into. Runs until: September 2017

The Valkyries Ride to Vancouver

The Valkyries Ride to Vancouver Where: St Helen’s Anglican Church, 2:00pm What: Heroic Opera – a startup opera company devoted to the music of Wagner, Verdi, and Richard Strauss – will launch this June with Wagner’s epic opera Die Walküre. Its famous Ride of the Valkyries scene has been used in everything from Apocalypse Now to Bugs Bunny, but has not been heard in its entirety in Vancouver since 1975.

Up Dharma Down

Up Dharma Down Where: The Biltmore What: Up Dharma Down is a band from the Philippines. They have been together since 2004. The group incorporates influences from rock, trip-hop, electronica and post-rock to create a sound which stands out in the local scene.

RBC Race for the Kids Where: Queen Elizabeth Park What: Runners and walkers of all ages and abilities will participate in either a scenic 5k route or a 2k fun run, followed by a carnival celebration with healthy snacks and activities for the whole family. Since it began in 1986, BC Children’s Hospital Foundation’s signature running event has raised over $ 12 million for childhood cancer research and treatment at the hospital. 

Tom Lee Music Grand Re-Opening Where: 728 Granville What: Door crasher deals, exclusive & limited edition products, prize draws, demos and workshops showcasing its full-line selection of top brand musical instruments, equipment and cutting-edge, digital music technology. Performances will be throughout the weekend by acclaimed artists: renowned Steinway pianist Jenny Lin, guitar master & Wide Mouth Mason front man Shaun Verreault, prolific pianist/singer/songwriter Michael Kaeshammer, piano virtuoso Ian Parker, and more. Runs until: Sunday June 4, 2017

Vancouver Craft Beer Week Festival Where: The Fair at the PNE What: In addition to the biggest selection of craft beer and cider in one place, the VCBW Festival also features art installations, live music, deejays, food trucks, market stalls, brewing demonstrations, and a games area with pinball and foos ball, and a pop up barber shop – because the best time to get a new haircut is definitely after a few beers. Runs until: Sunday June 3, 2017

  Ongoing

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Music Waste Festival | Band: So Loki | Image by: Jacob Gradowski

Music Waste Festival Where: Various locations What: A festival of Vancouver music, art and comedy that is passion-driven, not corporate sponsored, and financially accessible. All of the shows cost a maximum of $ 5 and are held at venues within walking distance. Runs until: Sunday June 4, 2017

Children of God

Children of God Where: The Cultch What: In this powerful musical, the children of an Oji-Cree family are sent to a residential school in Northern Ontario. This is a story of redemption: for a mother who was never let past the school’s gate, and her kids, who never knew she came. Runs until: Sunday June 3, 2107

Caroline Mesquita The Ballad

Caroline Mesquita The Ballad Where: Centre 221A What: A sculptural practice that intertwines the materiality of altered, oxidized, and painted copper and brass sheets with theatrical playfulness. Runs until: Saturday June 3, 2017

rEvolver Theatre Festival Where: The Cultch What: The festival by Upintheair Theatre fosters possible futures: supporting the next generation of theatre makers, and exploring new ideas through a unique focus on speculative fiction and formal innovation. Runs until: Sunday June 4, 2017

Vancouver Craft Beer Week

Vancouver Craft Beer Week Where: Various locations What: A week of beer, events, tastings, music, and outdoor beer gardens across the city. Runs until: Sunday June 4, 2017

Vancouver International Children’s Festival

Vancouver International Children’s Festival Where: Granville Island What: The first of its kind in North America, it began as a theatre festival for young audiences presenting international performances. Today the Festival is multi-disciplinary presenting theatre, music, dance, circus, puppetry and storytelling and over the years has been an inspiration to major cities throughout Canada and abroad, where annual children’s festivals now take place. Runs until: Sunday June 4, 2017

Last Train In

Last Train In Where: The Cultch What: Written and performed by award-winning theatre and film maker Adam Grant Warren, who was born with Cerebral Palsy, Last Train In is drawn from his lived experience. It is not, however, a typical story of disability and triumph over adversity. It is not about finding a way despite overwhelming odds. Instead, it’s about travel, romance, career expectations, and the all-too-human tendency to… embellish. Runs until: Sunday June 4, 2017

East Side Flea Where: 1024 Main What: Over 50 local vendors, food trucks, a live deejay, artisan showrooms, seasonal drink specials, pinball and more. Runs until: Sunday June 4, 2017

Outside Mullingar Where: Pacific Theatre What: A pair of introverted misfits, Rosemary and Anthony’s families have lived on neighbouring farms as far back as anyone can remember, where they battle over property lines and childhood stories but never what matters most. A quirky story of flawed love and some kind of happiness told with effortless wit and poetic Irish lyricism. Runs until: Saturday June 10, 2017

Song of the Open Road

Song of the Open Road Where: Contemporary Art Gallery What: Bringing together artists from Canada, Eritrea, Ireland, Sweden, and the US, the exhibition includes works that combine thematically to interrogate ideas rooted in photographic histories, engaging ideas such as veracity, recollection, remembrance, belonging, staging, and how the image documents and records these or is evidence of differing realities. Runs until: Sunday June 18, 2017

Creative Visions: Hong Kong Cinema 1997-2017

Creative Visions: Hong Kong Cinema 1997-2017 Where: The Cinematheque What: This year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). To celebrate, the HKSAR Government takes great pleasure in presenting a number of specially curated film programs on Hong Kong cinema in 10 cities across Europe, North America, and South Korea, in addition to four cities in Mainland China and in Hong Kong. Runs until: Friday June 23, 2017

Hand to God Where: Arts Club Theatre What: In a church basement in suburban Texas, three troubled teenagers meet weekly to express themselves through puppetry and learn to avoid the devil at all costs. Things take a twisted turn when one student—Jason—creates a hand puppet that is possessed with a delightfully dark personality of its own. Runs until: Sunday June 25, 2017

Up Close

Up Close Where: VanDusen Botanical Garden What: All the artists represented in this group exhibition find their inspiration while painting on location at VanDusen Garden. The Vancouver en plein air group, initiated in April 2011, zooms-in to the lush vegetation that provides a new dimension of foreground details. The subjects are varied, and so is the medium. Runs until: Tuesday June 27, 2017

Dance in Transit Where: Various outdoor locations What: A continuous supply of dancing during the warm months —at no cost. Watch it, try it, and see if you love it. Runs until: Sunday August 27th, 2017

Million Dollar Quartet Where: Arts Club Theatre What: Inspired by true events, this rocking jukebox musical takes you into Sun Records Studio on December 4, 1956, to witness the famed recording session that brought together rock and roll legends Presley, Cash, Lewis, and Perkins—for the first and only time. Runs until: Sunday July 9, 2017

The Vienna Model: Housing for the 21st Century City Where: Museum of Vancouver What: Explore housing in Vienna, Austria, through its portrait of the city’s pathbreaking approach to architecture, urban life, neighborhood revitalization, and the creation of new communities. Runs until: Sunday July 16, 2017

Xi Xanya Dzam – Those Who Are Amazing At Making Things Where: The Bill Reid Gallery What: Xi Xanya Dzam (pronounced hee hun ya zam) is the Kwak’wala word describing incredibly talented and gifted people who create works of art. The exhibition is both a showcase and a critical exploration of ‘achievement’ and ‘excellence’ in traditional and contemporary First Nations art. Runs until: Sunday September 4, 2017

Pictures From Here

Pictures From Here Where: Vancouver Art Gallery What: Featuring photographs and video works from the early 1960s to the present that capture the urban environment of the Greater Vancouver region, its citizens and the vast “natural” landscape of the province. Runs until: Sunday September 4, 2017

Sunday Art Market

Sunday Art Market Where: Jim Deva Plaza What: Local artists, vendors and makers, largely from Vancouver’s West End, along with musical and other live performances and artist-led workshops to drop into. Runs until: September 2017

Panda International Night Market Where: Richmond, BC What: A diverse market in Richmond, with shopping, food, beverages, and a game zone. Runs until: Monday September 11, 2017

Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival

Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival Where: Vanier Park What: What do you say to watching a live production of Much Ado About Nothing, The Winter’s Tale, The Merchant of Venice or The Two Gentlemen of Verona in a custom-built tent on the beach while sipping wine, beer, and munching on a picnic lunch themed to the play? Yes! Right? After 28 years, this festival has hit a stride of near perfection (and don’t even get us started on the amazing costumes.) Runs until: Saturday September 23, 2017

Shipyards Night Marlet

Shipyards Night Market Where: Lonsdale, North Vancouver What: Food, art, music, entertainment, shopping, a beer garden, and you can bring your dog! Runs until: September 29, 2017

Mount Pleasant Farmers Market Where: Dude Chilling Park What: Amble over and pick up some afternoon picnic supplies, groceries for the week, and Sunday dinner fixings from 25+ farms and producers. Each week you’ll find a fresh selection of just-picked seasonal fruits & veggies, ethically-raised meats & sustainable seafood, artisanal bread & prepared foods, craft beer, wine, & spirits, handmade craft, and coffee & food trucks. Runs until: October 8, 2017

Traces of Words: Art and Calligraphy from Asia

Traces of Words: Art and Calligraphy from Asia Where: UBC Museum of Anthropology What: Words and their physical manifestations are explored in this insightful exhibition, which will honour the special significance that written forms. Varied forms of expression associated with writing throughout Asia is shown over the span of different time periods: from Sumerian cuneiform inscriptions, Qu’ranic manuscripts, Southeast Asian palm leaf manuscripts and Chinese calligraphy from MOA’s Asian collection to graffiti art from Afghanistan and contemporary artworks using Japanese calligraphy, and Tibetan and Thai scripts. Runs until: Monday October 9, 2017

Richmond Night Market

Richmond Night Market Where: Richmond, BC What: There’s a dinosaur park! Anamatronic dinosaurs! Also – live performances, carnival games, over 200 retail stalls and over 500 food choices from around the world. Runs until: October 9, 2017

Onsite / Offsite Tsang Kin-Wah

Onsite / Offsite Tsang Kin-Wah Where:  Vancouver Art Gallery What:  This large-scale composition transforms English texts to form intricate floral and animal patterns. The work draws from discriminatory language that appeared in newspapers and political campaigns in Vancouver during the 1887 anti-Chinese riots, the mid-1980s immigration influx from Hong Kong and most recently, the heated exchanges around the foreign buyers and the local housing market. Runs until: Sunday October 15, 2017

Trout Lake Farmers Market Where: Trout Lake What: This is where you’ll find the vendors who have been doing it since the beginning; what started as 14 farmers ‘squatting’ at the Croatian Cultural Centre back in 1995 has grown into Vancouver’s most well-known and beloved market. Visitors come from near and far to sample artisan breads & preserves, stock up on free-range and organic eggs & meats, get the freshest, hard-to-find heirloom vegetables and taste the first Okanagan cherries and peaches of the season. Runs until: Saturday October 21, 2017 (Saturdays)

Kitsilano Farmers Market

Kitsilano Farmers Market Where: Kitsilano Community Centre parking lot What:   A great selection of just-picked, seasonal fruits & vegetables, ethically raised and grass fed meat, eggs, & dairy, sustainable seafood, fresh baked bread & artisanal food, local beer, wine, & spirits, and beautiful, handmade craft. Kids and parents alike can enjoy entertainment by market musicians, a nearby playground and splash park, and coffee and food truck offerings each week. Runs until: Sunday October 22, 2017 (Sundays)

The Lost Fleet Exhibit Where: Vancouver Maritime Museum What: On December 7, 1941 the world was shocked when Japan bombed Pearl Harbour, launching the United States into the war. This action also resulted in the confiscation of nearly 1,200 Japanese-Canadian owned fishing boats by Canadian officials on the British Columbia coast, which were eventually sold off to canneries and other non-Japanese fishermen. The Lost Fleet looks at the world of the Japanese-Canadian fishermen in BC and how deep-seated racism played a major role in the seizure, and sale, of Japanese-Canadian property and the internment of an entire people. Runs until: Winter 2017

Bill Reid Creative Journeys | Image via the Canadian Museum of History

Bill Reid Creative Journeys Where: The Bill Reid Gallery What: Celebrating the many creative journeys of acclaimed master goldsmith and sculptor Bill Reid (1920–1998), this exhibition provides a comprehensive introduction to his life and work. Runs until: Sunday December 10, 2017

Amazonia: The Rights of Nature

Amazonia: The Rights of Nature Where: UBC Museum of Anthropology What: MOA will showcase its Amazonian collections in a significant exploration of socially and environmentally-conscious notions intrinsic to indigenous South American cultures, which have recently become innovations in International Law. These are foundational to the notions of Rights of Nature, and they have been consolidating in the nine countries that share responsibilities over the Amazonian basin. Runs until: January 28, 2018

Emily Carr: Into the Forest

Emily Carr: Into the Forest Where: Vancouver Art Gallery What: Far from feeling that the forests of the West Coast were a difficult subject matter, Carr exulted in the symphonies of greens and browns found in the natural world. With oil on paper as her primary medium, Carr was free to work outdoors in close proximity to the landscape. She went into the forest to paint and saw nature in ways unlike her fellow British Columbians, who perceived it as either untamed wilderness or a plentiful source of lumber. Runs until: March 4, 2018

What are you up to this weekend? Tell me and the rest of Vancouver in the comments below or tweet me directly at @lextacular

Inside Vancouver Blog

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A Coffee Lover’s Guide to Mexico City

Mexico City is a palette of primary and pastel colors. Splashes of hot pink, lavender cream, and neon green cover the cracked walls of buildings in hip neighborhoods like La Roma, Condesa, and Juarez. Succulent branches drip from the balconies of seemingly every apartment building—it’s as if owning plants are a requirement for residency.

Every day during our stay in this bustling city of nearly nine million, billowing clouds hung low on the verge of rain. When the showers did come, they would only last for 30 minutes before the sun would take over once again.

The Mexico City coffee scene is tucked away, its members inhabiting small spaces scattered in between shops and restaurants. Here, coffee is an occasion—rarely an on-the-go pick-me-up. You order an AeroPress, French press, or Chemex at a counter and sit down to chat or read a book. Things start late and end late—the average business hours for the cafes in this guide are 9am–8pm.  And just remember, an order takes 15 minutes to come out—good coffee takes time.

Chiquitito Café

One of Chiquitito’s two locations is in La Condesa, where the streets are marked by trendy desayuno spots and late-night mezcal joints. Chiquitito roasts their own beans, which they get from a small producer in Boca del Monte, Veracruz. Choose from a standard menu of espresso and milk beverages (alternative milk options are available, as is the case at most specialty cafes in the city), the latter of which all come adorned with effortless latte art. For those looking to really slow things down, Chiquitito offers a number of manual brew options, including V60, AeroPress, Chemex, and French press. For sweet treats, try a matcha latte and vanilla chai, or a pan dulce. For those who come for lunch, Chiquitito also make stuffed, savory sandwiches in-house.

Chiquitito Café has multiple locations in Mexico City. Visit their official website and follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

El Ilusionista Café

A barista prepares a French press at El Ilusionista

Finding El Ilusionista Café isn’t a work of magic. This corner spot in a smaller, residential neighborhood in Escandón has a spacious, open interior filled with wooden picnic benches and windows that face out to the streets. A multi-roaster, they brew with beans from around the globe, and go full coffee science on their beverages—you can count on your coffee being ground and brewed on display right in front of you; even French press ratios are weighed on scales. At El Ilusionista, the baristas work on an array of manual brewers, from Clever drip to Chemex to siphon. In addition to a simple espresso and tea menu, standouts include seasonal options like cold brew with cardamom, and lavender ice cream affogatos. Take your time here and grab a sandwich while you’re at it.

El Ilusionista Café is located at Avenida Progreso 33, Delegación Miguel Hidalgo, Colonia Escandón Sección 1. Visit their official website and follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

Distrito Fijo Club de Ciclismo

If you thought bikes and coffee were only an established pairing in the United States, think again. Distrito Fijo Club de Ciclismo is a trendy bicycle shop and cafe set in the lush, quiet streets of Juárez. De Ciclismo also offers bicycle repair and tune-up services, as well as memberships for their bicycle club, which basically consists of a bunch of people riding bikes, playing ping pong, and attending events at the cafe like “after hours” beer tastings and film nights. Their coffee is all organically grown in Chiapas and roasted in the city, and can be paired with a variety of food options, like waffles and burgers. Explore the upstairs retail/hang out space or take a seat on the sidewalk patio, replete with bike racks, of course. Get a classic espresso drink or manual brew of Chemex, Dripper, and AeroPress. A small tea menu is also available.

Distrito Fijo Club de Ciclismo is located at Calle Liverpool 61, Juárez. Visit their official website and follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Café Avellaneda

Café Avellaneda is a tiny nook of a coffee bar and roasting space in the dense yet cozy artists’ neighborhood of Coyoacán, home to the world-famous Frida Kahlo Museum. Avellaneda’s owner, Carlos de la Torre, is the two-time winner of the Mexican Brewers Cup and also proudly roasts his shop’s Oaxacan beans in Mexico City—a portion of every cup of coffee sold is donated to a partnered coffee farm to combat coffee leaf rust. One especially unique offering, in addition to small cookies alongside each in-house beverage, are Mexican coffee cocktails. Try Avellaneda’s version of an espresso Old-Fashioned—tonic water with espresso and a twist of lemon—or something more appropriate to the region. Their Juanito cocktail is espresso with tamarindo (a sweet, citrusy soda), juniper, tonic water, and a twist of grapefruit. 

Café Avellaneda is located at Higuera 40-A, Coyoacán, La Concepción. Follow them on Facebook.

Borola Cafe

[Below] Miguel Santamaria prepares a coffee on AeroPress at Borola

If Borola Cafe is a mad science lab for coffee, manager Miguel Santamaria is the scientist behind the experiments. With four locations throughout Mexico City, the multi-roaster is obsessed with the science of coffee and only plays with beans harvested in Mexican states like Oaxaca, Chiapas, and Guerrero. The goal is to make Mexican coffee supreme and to support the country’s coffee producers. Borola’s San Angel location, in particular, is considered “the best-kept secret” in the area. Upon entering, a customer told me, “You’re coming in for the best coffee here. It’s going to be a treat.” An espresso menu is paired with a manual brew menu, which offers an array of just about every method you can think of, including siphon, AeroPress, Kyoto, and Chemex, the lattermost of which is a specialty at Borola. Watching Santamaria behind the bar is like watching someone in competition—he weighs, grinds, smells, and stirs with precision, all while maintaining a relaxed and friendly demeanor. If you’re looking for good conversation with coffee-crazy people, this spot is a must.

Borola Cafe has multiple locations. Visit their official website and follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Café Negro

Café Negro is yet another of the many coffee joints in Coyoacán, just outside the central area of the city. Roasting their own coffee, Café Negro only serves Mexican options, and proudly supports small producers. The motto—“keep it simple”—makes sense for a coffee shop whose name translates to “black coffee.” To satisfy a sweet tooth, Café Negro offers an extensive, in-house pastry menu of pan dulces, cakes, croissants, and more. Despite it being one of the larger cafe spaces in the area, Café Negro can feel extremely full—many residents and students from the neighborhood can be found here lounging on laptops amongst the succulents, clean white brick walls, and elaborately designed floors. If you can find a seat, enjoy the friendly customer service and take your time to sip on a matcha latte or a carefully prepared French press, siphon, or espresso—while you’re at it, grab a hearty desayuno to stay and a sandwich to-go.

Café Negro is located at Centenario 16, Coyoacán. Follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

Katrina Yentch is a Sprudge contributor based in Los Angeles. Read more Katrina Yentch on Sprudge.

The post A Coffee Lover’s Guide to Mexico City appeared first on Sprudge.

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Stage Talk returns to the Charleston Performing Arts Center to get a preview of their latest creation: And They Called it Jazz. Exploring the history of jazz from its beginnings in the early 20th century through the 1960’s, this show sparkles with classic jazz hits, exquisite dancing, and breathtaking costumes. Give a listen to the preview and enjoy some picture from the show!

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The Charleston Performing Arts Center, or C-PAC, on James Island is right on Folly Road, minutes from the James Island Conector. After checking out the interviews and the pictures, be sure to head over to the C-PAC website and order your tickets before it’s gone!

The Cast

STACY CARTER (Guest Artist, Lead Vocalist) is a California native. She began singing in the San Francisco Bay Area when her mother entered her in beauty pageants. She sang in school choir, musical theatre, performed at Marriott’s Great America Theme Park, and was fourth runner up for Miss San Jose. Stacy worked the Southern California club scene before moving to Tokyo, Japan. Soon after, she was approached to open for R&B groups Klymaxx and Lakeside. Since returning to the US, she has performed in Ragtime (Sara’s Friend), performed in most of the high-profile lounges in the San Francisco Bay Area, and produced her own stage show entitled The Women of Soul.

LAKEIA HODGES,(Co. Apprentice) is proud, and beyond excited, to join the cast of And They Called It Jazz, her fifth show with C-PAC. She received her BA in Theatre from Charleston Southern University in 2015. Recent productions: Dream Girls, The Revue; DISCO; Holiday Cabaret, and BANDSTAND – the 1960s. She loves being surrounded by those who are passionate about bringing the theatre world to LIFE. This production displays events that happened not too long ago. Events that created a shift in history. We are able to experience our nation’s past but fortunate to see our progression. Enjoy!

KIM PACHECO (Lead Vocalist) comes to C-PAC from North Carolina. This marks her second C-PAC performance, and was first seen in BANDSTAND – the 1906s. She is no stranger to Charleston’s scene; she has performed, toured, and recorded with some of Charleston’s finest musicians. Her industry credits include both film and stage. “My best accomplishments are the three sons who were gracious enough to allow me the sacrifice to pursue performing with my whole heart. Endless thank yous to the C-PAC family for welcoming me to this space!”

KIRK PFEIFFER (Lead Vocalist) See The Production Team.

KHAWON PORTER (Lead Vocalist) is a native to Wilmington, North Carolina, where he has a well‑known love and passion for the performing arts. He was last seen in C‑PAC’s BANDSTAND – the 1960s. A recent recipient of the StarNews Media “Best Actor Award”, Khawon plans to expand his love and passion to new stages! Some of his iconic roles include: Jim (Big River), Hud (Hair), Cousin Kevin (Tommy), Gator (Memphis) and TJ (SisterAct).

MAUREEN REMEROWSKI (Co. Performer, Lead Vocalist) is in her second season as a C‑PAC company performer and was last seen in Holiday Cabaret. She received a B.A. in Theatre Arts from Point Park University’s Conservatory of Performing Arts, Pittsburgh, PA. Favorite credits: Some Enchanted Evening (Nellie), Cabaret (Sally Bowles), and more. Leader of the Pack: The Ellie Greenwich Musical (Ellie Greenwich). A favorite special event appearance, among many, is when she sang the National Anthem for her hometown team, the Cleveland Indians. She wrote and recorded songs heard on the soundtrack of the film “Of Boys and Men” starring Angela Basset. She recently traveled to Poland to assist a family in bringing four adopted children to the US. She is a certified PiYo instructor. “Thank you Kirk & Scott for giving me the opportunity to share this wonderful musical story you created. Thank you cast & crew for being who you are which is amazing.”

JENNA RILING (Dancer) is marking her second C-PAC production! She recently performed in the Charleston Christmas Special with Brad and Jennifer Moranz and can’t wait to be back on stage! Jenna has been dancing since age 3 and has trained in many styles. She is 15 and attends School of the Arts as a freshman in dance. In 2009, Jenna was a part of the movie The New Daughter. This past summer she attended The Rockettes Summer Intensive in NYC.

SAVANNAH SCHOENBORN (Co. Performer) has been dancing for 17 years. She has studied and performed many different styles: ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, hip hop, modern, lyrical, aerial work and pom. This is her third show as a company member at C‑PAC. She received her BA in Dance Performance at Winthrop University, trained at American Dance Festival, worked on Carnival Cruise Lines, performed Carowinds Theme Park’s night show Luminate, and has been an active dancer and choreographer in Charlotte, NC. When she isn’t performing, she is C-PAC’s Kids On Stage dance instructor. She is currently the choreographer and stage manager of the upcoming Kids On Stage production “Disney’s Alice In Wonderland, Jr.’.

CAITLIN WILSON (Co. Apprentice) is a 15-year-old Charleston native that started dancing when she was 3. She trains in all forms of dance, but especially loves tap. In 2013, her tap solo earned her an opportunity to compete in Germany. She studies with Artistic Director, Kirk Pfeiffer. Past Performances: BANDSTAND – the 1960s with C-PAC; Nutcracker, The Grinch That Stole Christmas, Willy Wonka, Mary Poppins (Jane), and A Midsummer Night’s Dream with Charleston Ballet Theatre; The Little Match Girl, Little Shop of Horrors, Grease, Gotta Dance, with Charleston Dance Institute. Caitlin thanks all her instructors that helped foster her love of dance.

TIFFANY WEST (Co. Performer, dance captain, Co. manager) is in her third year as a company performer and BANDSTAND-the 1960s marks her fifteenth production with C-PAC! Originally from the Outer Banks of North Carolina she has been dancing for over 20 years; and has studied Acting, Voice, and Dance with C-PAC and continues to study with Artistic Director, Kirk Pfeiffer. Tiffany sits on the Board of Directors for C-PAC and is thrilled to continue her role as dance captain and company manager. She has many to thank for their unwavering support as she pursues her dreams of being on stage but most of all, Kirk and Scott for the continuous opportunity to do so! She would like to dedicate her future performances in memory of her “Momma Sue”.

The Band

MATTHEW MASSE (saxophone) is originally from Lexington, Kentucky. He moved to Charleston in 2013. Matthew is a saxophone player at Charleston County School of the Arts. He will graduate this year and head to the University of South Carolina to study Music Education. He has previously performed with the South of Broadway Theatre in their show Ain’t Misbehavin’. This is his second musical performance outside of the School of the Arts band program.

LILY LASSITER (piano) is currently an eighth grade piano major at the Charleston County School of the Arts. Additionally, Lily studies piano at the Charleston Academy of Music. She lives with her family on James Island and enjoys reading and having fun with her two Golden Retrievers. Lily hopes to become a veterinarian in addition to pursuing her musical career.

ASHER DiBERNARDO (drums) is a freshman at Charleston County School of the Arts. He has been playing the drums for nearly 6 years. Drumming is his greatest passion. “Whenever I play, it’s doesn’t matter what genre, I just love to play.”

ALEX SCHWARZ (double bass) is a sophomore at Charleston County School of the Arts. She initially trained classically, and started jazz last year as a member of the school jazz band. During her free time she enjoys reading and spending time with her friends

The Production Team

KIRK SPRINKLES PFEIFFER (Artistic & Program Director, C-PAC; choreographer, director, costume designer) is a Broadway veteran performer and has toured both nationally and internationally. His choreography and theatre directing have been presented in numerous equity regional theatres, cruise lines, industrials, and dance companies. He serves as the Honorary Chairman on the Program Development Committee for the national organization, Career Transition For Dancers (2012 Tony Award recipient). Performing credits include: Tap Dogs, Radio City’s Christmas Spectacular, A Chorus Line, Grease, Oklahoma, Fame, Duke Ellington’s Sophisticated Ladies, 1776, in addition to numerous cruise lines. At an early age, Kirk transitioned into choreography and has choreographed for professional theatres throughout the Southeast, as well as cruise lines and dance companies. He served as the resident choreographer and general manager of the Centennial Station Dinner Theatre in High Point, NC, and as managing director for Dances Patrelle Ballet Company in New York City. Kirk is the producer and founder of the new web series Final Bow, What Now? which features interviews from celebrity performers (Chita Rivera, Marni Nixon, Donna McKechnie, Angela Lansbury, Anne Reinking, to name a few) who have transitioned in their career and now share their story, giving advice to today’s young performers. He now shares his experience, passion, and industry connections with the C‑PAC conservatory students and cast members.

SCOTT PFEIFFER (Executive Director) grew up in northern California performing with various companies in such classics as The Adventures Of Tom Sawyer, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, You Can’t Take it With You, Oliver!, The Music Man, Annie Get Your Gun, and Cabaret among others. After over 20 years absent from the stage, Scott has appeared in C-PAC’s Charleston, The Musical (Will Call, the EmCee), Dreamgirls, The Revue (Dick Clark), Bandstand – The 1960s (John Phillips of The Mamas & the Papas). For 25 years, Scott worked in the fashion industry in executive corporate operations positions with national American and international brands, including Gap Inc., French Connection, Club Monaco, and Ralph Lauren. His skills in project management, leadership, financial planning, and communication and training, along with his love of writing and passion for artistic expression, have been put to great use as both the Executive Director of C-PAC, and book writer and co-director of C-PAC productions. He leads C-PAC’s Acting curriculum, and is mentored by Los Angeles actor, director, and teacher, Don Eitner. He was honored to be the first instructor on the Eastern Seaboard to teach Eitner’s method. As the Kids On Stage acting instructor, Scott enjoys sharing his love of the craft with the next generation of performers as the resident director of the Kids On Stage Performance Series. In his spare time, he dotes on his fur-children, Victor (15) and Rhoda (4). He is grateful for being able to create art consistently. Scott thanks the cast for their hard work and dedication to this production, and their family and friends who have seen much less of them during this time.

JOE CLARKE (Music Arranger, Band Leader) is a teacher of music at Charleston County School of the Arts, and a composer, and Band leader of the Joe Clarke Big Band. He has had a lifelong love affair with Big Band music. As a child, he listened to Sinatra, Mancini, Basie, Tommy Dorsey, and Glenn Miller among others. He studied percussion, and progressed to trumpet and piano in high school and college. While obtaining a degree in psychology at the Citadel, he pursued his musical interests and dreams of leading his own Big Band. He was music director for the Citadel’s annual talent shows and served as band director for the College of Charleston. He began writing his own 3- and 4-horn arrangements, and assembled musicians to create his own big band. A child of ‘70s and ‘80s music, Joe brings a new twist to the fine art of singing Big Band and Jazz standards. “I like a little rock & roll in my jazz and a little jazz in my rock & roll.” In the past eight years, Joe Clarke has served as musical director for several shows: Swingtime Canteen, and Behind the Rainbow-The Harold Arlen Story (also playing Harold Arlen), Stardust Man – The Hoagy Carmichael Story, The Wild One – the life and times of Louis Prima. Joe appeared in The Village Playhouse’s 2009 production of Splish, Splash, where he sang all Bobby Darin’s greatest hits (Splish Splash, More, Mack the Knife, Beyond the Sea, etc.). He has also appeared on C-PAC’s stage as an accompanist in the 2014 production of DUKE: King Of Jazz, and to accompany Madam Stephanie Samaras for vocal master classes held at C-PAC.

Stage Talk Preview: And They Called it Jazz Stage Talk returns to the Charleston Performing Arts Center to get a preview of their latest creation: And They Called it Jazz.