Anya M. Wassenberg's Blog: Art & Culture Maven, page 80
May 21, 2017
Disover Germany: Celebrating 25 years of the sun-kissed Saxon Wine Route
From a media release:
Celebrating 25 years of the sun-kissed Saxon Wine Route• Find Out More
If you're looking for a place filled with wine and wonder, then Saxony is the destination for you. From these ancient hillsides adorned with vineyards, you can gaze down at the Elbe river's glistening waters and its famous palaces.
The region's stunning beauty is enough of a reason to visit in itself, yet the landscape is so artfully interwoven with indulgence and history that you'll struggle to find an excuse to stay away. 25 years ago, the 55km stretch of land that lies between the towns of Pirna and Diesbar-Seusslitz was officially designated the Saxon Wine Route. However, we know from the writings of monks that its history dates back all the way back to the 12th century. It's no surprise that the route has captured people's attention for so long. Winding your way through the sun-kissed Elbe valley, you'll almost feel as if you're in the Mediterranean.
A history told through the grapevine
There's more than one way to explore the Saxon Wine Route. For instance, you can travel by river cruiser between Dresden and Meissen, cycle along the Elbe Cycle Route or go walking on the 90km hiking trail. This takes you past steep hillsides with terraced vineyards and 400-year-old dry stone walls to magnificent viewpoints, idyllic villages and historical wine cellars. There's plenty of art, culture and architectural variety to experience along the way, and a stunning landscape to enjoy that provides the perfect soil for a whole 61 different varieties of grape. Thirty-five official vintners produce high-quality wines that are then sold at their vineyards, local wine taverns along the route and fine restaurants.
Dresden - Florence can wait!In Dresden, you can drench yourself in culture at the Green Vault or Grünes Gewölbe in Dresden, a unique historic museum incorporating the largest collection of treasures in Europe. Founded by Augustus the Strong in 1723, it holds a variety of exhibits from the Baroque to Classical eras. That's just the tip of the iceberg.
Of course: CultureResistance is futile in Dresden. It starts with the main train station, covered by leading architect Sir Norman Foster and does not end at the kennel for a long time. It wait Raphael's "Sistine Madonna" and the works of Gerhard Richter and Otto Dix. You'll want to drink in the baroque splendor of the Church of Our Lady (Frauenkirche) as well as the very special architectural style of the "Military History Museum" by Daniel Libeskind. And in between: take a ride on a Gondola on the Carolasee, stroll through the zoo or take in the panoramic view from the town hall tower.
Sizzling NightlifeAt night the city is divided: Elegant and bourgeois left bank of the Elbe, where long robes find their way to the opera. Across the river: a hot young nightclub scene and the avant-garde. Pub crawl through the Neustadt, club nights in the industrial area and so many other ways to stay up all night.
Dresden information on the Frauenkirche
Neumarkt 2
01067 Dresden
Tel .: +49 351 501501
www.dresden.de/tourismus
info@dresden.travel
Celebrating 25 years of the sun-kissed Saxon Wine Route• Find Out More
If you're looking for a place filled with wine and wonder, then Saxony is the destination for you. From these ancient hillsides adorned with vineyards, you can gaze down at the Elbe river's glistening waters and its famous palaces.
The region's stunning beauty is enough of a reason to visit in itself, yet the landscape is so artfully interwoven with indulgence and history that you'll struggle to find an excuse to stay away. 25 years ago, the 55km stretch of land that lies between the towns of Pirna and Diesbar-Seusslitz was officially designated the Saxon Wine Route. However, we know from the writings of monks that its history dates back all the way back to the 12th century. It's no surprise that the route has captured people's attention for so long. Winding your way through the sun-kissed Elbe valley, you'll almost feel as if you're in the Mediterranean.
A history told through the grapevine
There's more than one way to explore the Saxon Wine Route. For instance, you can travel by river cruiser between Dresden and Meissen, cycle along the Elbe Cycle Route or go walking on the 90km hiking trail. This takes you past steep hillsides with terraced vineyards and 400-year-old dry stone walls to magnificent viewpoints, idyllic villages and historical wine cellars. There's plenty of art, culture and architectural variety to experience along the way, and a stunning landscape to enjoy that provides the perfect soil for a whole 61 different varieties of grape. Thirty-five official vintners produce high-quality wines that are then sold at their vineyards, local wine taverns along the route and fine restaurants.
Dresden - Florence can wait!In Dresden, you can drench yourself in culture at the Green Vault or Grünes Gewölbe in Dresden, a unique historic museum incorporating the largest collection of treasures in Europe. Founded by Augustus the Strong in 1723, it holds a variety of exhibits from the Baroque to Classical eras. That's just the tip of the iceberg.
Of course: CultureResistance is futile in Dresden. It starts with the main train station, covered by leading architect Sir Norman Foster and does not end at the kennel for a long time. It wait Raphael's "Sistine Madonna" and the works of Gerhard Richter and Otto Dix. You'll want to drink in the baroque splendor of the Church of Our Lady (Frauenkirche) as well as the very special architectural style of the "Military History Museum" by Daniel Libeskind. And in between: take a ride on a Gondola on the Carolasee, stroll through the zoo or take in the panoramic view from the town hall tower.
Sizzling NightlifeAt night the city is divided: Elegant and bourgeois left bank of the Elbe, where long robes find their way to the opera. Across the river: a hot young nightclub scene and the avant-garde. Pub crawl through the Neustadt, club nights in the industrial area and so many other ways to stay up all night.
Dresden information on the Frauenkirche
Neumarkt 2
01067 Dresden
Tel .: +49 351 501501
www.dresden.de/tourismus
info@dresden.travel
May 17, 2017
Recently Released: D.G. Adams- This Old Heart (Jump Attack Records - March 18, 2017)
Recently Released:
D.G. Adams- This Old Heart
(Jump Attack Records - March 18, 2017)
• Listen on Spotify
This Old Heart is the third album for Vancouver folk rocker D.G. Adams. While he's been writing music since the age of 15, Adams was active as a classically trained actor and teacher of Shakespeare for more than three decades, long before his first music release in 2000, Feminine Endings.
Adams is a singer/songwriter in the folk/rock tradition. Lyrically, he covers the usual boy-girl territory along with dashes of philosophy, politics, and life in general. From Fuck Life And Fuck The World,
2 1/2 years on heroin,
And I just can't stay awake...
The upbeat music and pop singer delivery disguise the message in a shiny cover. It's a ruse he uses more than once on the album. This Song Is Not True, the first single, spotlights his expressive vocals against churchy organ chords and keyboard, breaking into a swingy groove that belies the words.
This song is not true
It's about you
You went to church
With your abuser
While you look happy...
There's a nice stylistic variety on the album, including pop rockers like Stallion Man and Disposable Friends, along with a Latin-inspired groove on La Terraza. Mafia Princess is a jazzy little piano-driven tune where he talks about meeting a girl at a funeral, one who's like a bad hangover.
When it comes to the words, at any rate, expect the unexpected.
Along with the new music - which he calls his main passion - Adams still appears in movies and on television, including recently in Lionsgate’s “Power Rangers (2017)”, Fox's "Alcatraz", Lifetime's "Merlin and the Book of Beasts", and MGM's "The Betrayed", along with acting and directing for theatre.
Members/Instruments: D.G Adams: songwriter, lead vocals acoustic guitar; Aline Bobbin: violin / Torquil Campbell: Background vocals, keyboards / Alexi Johnson: background vocal / D. Jeremy Price Jones: electric and acoustic guitars / Lucas Marincelj: bass, mandolin, background vocal / Kaj Falch-Nielsen: acoustic guitar / Karina Pry: acoustic piano, organ, keyboards, background vocals / Edward Whelan: tambourine / Shane Wilson: Drums
Websites:
Twitter.com/dgadamsmusicfacebook.com/dgadamsmusicSoundCloud.com/dgadamsInstagram.com/dgadams44
A live version of Mother, from the album -
D.G. Adams- This Old Heart
(Jump Attack Records - March 18, 2017)
• Listen on Spotify
This Old Heart is the third album for Vancouver folk rocker D.G. Adams. While he's been writing music since the age of 15, Adams was active as a classically trained actor and teacher of Shakespeare for more than three decades, long before his first music release in 2000, Feminine Endings.
Adams is a singer/songwriter in the folk/rock tradition. Lyrically, he covers the usual boy-girl territory along with dashes of philosophy, politics, and life in general. From Fuck Life And Fuck The World,2 1/2 years on heroin,
And I just can't stay awake...
The upbeat music and pop singer delivery disguise the message in a shiny cover. It's a ruse he uses more than once on the album. This Song Is Not True, the first single, spotlights his expressive vocals against churchy organ chords and keyboard, breaking into a swingy groove that belies the words.
This song is not true
It's about you
You went to church
With your abuser
While you look happy...
There's a nice stylistic variety on the album, including pop rockers like Stallion Man and Disposable Friends, along with a Latin-inspired groove on La Terraza. Mafia Princess is a jazzy little piano-driven tune where he talks about meeting a girl at a funeral, one who's like a bad hangover.
When it comes to the words, at any rate, expect the unexpected.Along with the new music - which he calls his main passion - Adams still appears in movies and on television, including recently in Lionsgate’s “Power Rangers (2017)”, Fox's "Alcatraz", Lifetime's "Merlin and the Book of Beasts", and MGM's "The Betrayed", along with acting and directing for theatre.
Members/Instruments: D.G Adams: songwriter, lead vocals acoustic guitar; Aline Bobbin: violin / Torquil Campbell: Background vocals, keyboards / Alexi Johnson: background vocal / D. Jeremy Price Jones: electric and acoustic guitars / Lucas Marincelj: bass, mandolin, background vocal / Kaj Falch-Nielsen: acoustic guitar / Karina Pry: acoustic piano, organ, keyboards, background vocals / Edward Whelan: tambourine / Shane Wilson: Drums
Websites:
Twitter.com/dgadamsmusicfacebook.com/dgadamsmusicSoundCloud.com/dgadamsInstagram.com/dgadams44
A live version of Mother, from the album -
May 12, 2017
Jazz/Classical: Saxophonist/Composer Quinsin Nachoff 'Ethereal Trio' (May 19 2017 - Whirlwind Recordings)
From a media release"
Saxophonist/Composer Quinsin Nachoff Discovers New Approaches to Melding Exploratory Jazz and Classical Music with his Ethereal Trio
May 19, 2017 - Whirlwind Recordings
• Buy the Ethereal Trio
The adventurous trio's self-titled debut, out May 19 from Whirlwind Recordings, features bassist Mark Helias and drummer Dan Weiss.
"There's a push and pull between the visceral and cerebral, between jazz and modern classical... intensity and modernity, a brashness and in-your-face confidence of delivery." - Dan .McClenaghan, All About Jazz
Quinsin Nachoff by bohuang.caSaxophonist/composer Quinsin Nachoff has become renowned for his unique and ingenious mergers of modern jazz and contemporary classic music. His music daringly ventures to the farthest edges of both idioms while dancing elegantly along the often uneasy borderline between them. While it shares the same roots, Nachoff's new Ethereal Trio takes a somewhat different approach - as the name implies, there's something looser, more elusive and free-ranging, about this trio as opposed to the more rigorous hybridization of some of Nachoff's other ensembles (Flux, the Horizons Ensemble, Magic Numbers).
In part, that's due to the musicians involved. The Ethereal Trio - whose self-titled debut will be released May 19, 2017 via Whirlwind Recordings - teams Nachoff with two of modern music's most forward-thinking artists: bassist Mark Helias and drummer Dan Weiss. Both are inveterate explorers well-versed in absorbing a variety of complex musical vocabularies and expressing them in personal and compelling fashion. But the singularly, well, ethereal feeling of this music can also be credited to Nachoff's astute compositions, which blend methodically composed material with free improvisation in a way that leaves enticing, inspirational space for all three to roam.
Quinsin Nachoff by bohuang.ca"As a contrast to some of my other recent projects," Nachoff says, "this ensemble allows me to explore as a saxophonist, visiting different pillars and languages within the jazz tradition but striving for a personal sound and narrative."
The Ethereal Trio was birthed directly from the composer's interest in merging jazz and classical influences. Nachoff was commissioned by the Penderecki String Quartet to compose "Stars and Constellations: Scorpio," a piece for string quartet and saxophone trio, which prompted the New York-based, Canadian-born saxophonist to further the idea of establishing a chordless trio as a distinct project away from his larger ensemble successes. A stand-alone concert with seasoned Helias and Weiss created the conceptual spark, and following the writing of new material early in 2016, a series of concerts in New York, Toronto and Montreal neatly led to this recording.
"I enjoy writing this way as it gives me two distinct voices that I can really work with," Nachoff says. "As a bassist, Mark Helias is such an experienced musician - I can compose harmonically or contrapuntally and he always expands it to such an extent that we're never missing harmony; if we play in more of an open setting, it leaves us more freedom. Dan Weiss is a master of dealing with anything rhythmically -so he can be very free within even something very structured. All three of us love to investigate different colors and extended techniques, so many different directions are possible. Once we've understood what the direction is for each composition, that's when the magic starts to happen."
Each piece on the album has its own plot and internal logic, yet the trio's predominant vibe is searching and otherworldly - hence the "ethereal" tag, which should not be understood as implying something delicate or dreamlike. This is fiery, passionate, relentlessly venturesome music that boldly seeks new discoveries in the far reaches of Nachoff's structures. The titles seem to juggle left and right brain notions in provocative ways, suggesting a mixture of art and science that finds equal stimulation in both the speculative and the cerebral.
Quinsin Nachoff by Heather MacEachern"Clairvoyant Jest" opens the album with Nachoff's saxophone dancing across rhythmically twisted swing, characterized by double-stopped, open-stringed bass and harmonics which highlight the harmonic motion. "Gravitas" follows, focusing on freer response and reflection as its questioning saxophone motifs are interpreted by arco bass. Suggesting a change in our imaginative picture of the world, "Imagination Reconstruction" pairs sax and Helias' bass harmonics magnificently, and the ten-minute progression of "Portrait in Sepia Tones" ramps up into a superbly percussive maelstrom. "Push-Pull Topology" possesses an underlying walking bass thread, stretching and pulling different rhythms - fives over fours over threes - while the bristling landscapes of "Subliminal Circularity" summon the leader's equally raw and rippling saxophonic tones.
Quinsin Nachoff relishes the freedom and the opportunities this trio offers: "I'm regularly involved in projects which include a lot of composing, arranging and organizational effort to make them happen. This Ethereal Trio album became much more about simply playing the saxophone, which was extremely fun and rewarding - and these musicians are such a pleasure to play with. That's the world I like to live in."
Here's a teaser:
Saxophonist/Composer Quinsin Nachoff Discovers New Approaches to Melding Exploratory Jazz and Classical Music with his Ethereal Trio
May 19, 2017 - Whirlwind Recordings
• Buy the Ethereal Trio
The adventurous trio's self-titled debut, out May 19 from Whirlwind Recordings, features bassist Mark Helias and drummer Dan Weiss.
"There's a push and pull between the visceral and cerebral, between jazz and modern classical... intensity and modernity, a brashness and in-your-face confidence of delivery." - Dan .McClenaghan, All About Jazz
Quinsin Nachoff by bohuang.caSaxophonist/composer Quinsin Nachoff has become renowned for his unique and ingenious mergers of modern jazz and contemporary classic music. His music daringly ventures to the farthest edges of both idioms while dancing elegantly along the often uneasy borderline between them. While it shares the same roots, Nachoff's new Ethereal Trio takes a somewhat different approach - as the name implies, there's something looser, more elusive and free-ranging, about this trio as opposed to the more rigorous hybridization of some of Nachoff's other ensembles (Flux, the Horizons Ensemble, Magic Numbers).In part, that's due to the musicians involved. The Ethereal Trio - whose self-titled debut will be released May 19, 2017 via Whirlwind Recordings - teams Nachoff with two of modern music's most forward-thinking artists: bassist Mark Helias and drummer Dan Weiss. Both are inveterate explorers well-versed in absorbing a variety of complex musical vocabularies and expressing them in personal and compelling fashion. But the singularly, well, ethereal feeling of this music can also be credited to Nachoff's astute compositions, which blend methodically composed material with free improvisation in a way that leaves enticing, inspirational space for all three to roam.
Quinsin Nachoff by bohuang.ca"As a contrast to some of my other recent projects," Nachoff says, "this ensemble allows me to explore as a saxophonist, visiting different pillars and languages within the jazz tradition but striving for a personal sound and narrative."The Ethereal Trio was birthed directly from the composer's interest in merging jazz and classical influences. Nachoff was commissioned by the Penderecki String Quartet to compose "Stars and Constellations: Scorpio," a piece for string quartet and saxophone trio, which prompted the New York-based, Canadian-born saxophonist to further the idea of establishing a chordless trio as a distinct project away from his larger ensemble successes. A stand-alone concert with seasoned Helias and Weiss created the conceptual spark, and following the writing of new material early in 2016, a series of concerts in New York, Toronto and Montreal neatly led to this recording.
"I enjoy writing this way as it gives me two distinct voices that I can really work with," Nachoff says. "As a bassist, Mark Helias is such an experienced musician - I can compose harmonically or contrapuntally and he always expands it to such an extent that we're never missing harmony; if we play in more of an open setting, it leaves us more freedom. Dan Weiss is a master of dealing with anything rhythmically -so he can be very free within even something very structured. All three of us love to investigate different colors and extended techniques, so many different directions are possible. Once we've understood what the direction is for each composition, that's when the magic starts to happen."
Each piece on the album has its own plot and internal logic, yet the trio's predominant vibe is searching and otherworldly - hence the "ethereal" tag, which should not be understood as implying something delicate or dreamlike. This is fiery, passionate, relentlessly venturesome music that boldly seeks new discoveries in the far reaches of Nachoff's structures. The titles seem to juggle left and right brain notions in provocative ways, suggesting a mixture of art and science that finds equal stimulation in both the speculative and the cerebral.
Quinsin Nachoff by Heather MacEachern"Clairvoyant Jest" opens the album with Nachoff's saxophone dancing across rhythmically twisted swing, characterized by double-stopped, open-stringed bass and harmonics which highlight the harmonic motion. "Gravitas" follows, focusing on freer response and reflection as its questioning saxophone motifs are interpreted by arco bass. Suggesting a change in our imaginative picture of the world, "Imagination Reconstruction" pairs sax and Helias' bass harmonics magnificently, and the ten-minute progression of "Portrait in Sepia Tones" ramps up into a superbly percussive maelstrom. "Push-Pull Topology" possesses an underlying walking bass thread, stretching and pulling different rhythms - fives over fours over threes - while the bristling landscapes of "Subliminal Circularity" summon the leader's equally raw and rippling saxophonic tones.Quinsin Nachoff relishes the freedom and the opportunities this trio offers: "I'm regularly involved in projects which include a lot of composing, arranging and organizational effort to make them happen. This Ethereal Trio album became much more about simply playing the saxophone, which was extremely fun and rewarding - and these musicians are such a pleasure to play with. That's the world I like to live in."
Here's a teaser:
April 19, 2017
Hotel Bergs Contemporary 5-Star Luxury in Historic Riga Latvia - 2X2-Night Deal
With material from a release:
Hotel Bergs
Contemporary 5-Star Luxury in Historic Riga, Latvia
2X2-Night Baltic Capitals Deal
• Find out more
Contemporary chic in the center of Riga - Hotel Bergs is a smart, five-star haven in the charming historical quarter known as the Bergs Bazaar.
Bergs Hotel, RigaHotel Bergs is a designer boutique hotel nestled behind a 19th century brick façade, featuring 38 spacious guest suites, the famous Bergs restaurant offering haute cuisine inspired by local fare as well as a fitness and wellness center, elegant meeting lounges and a penthouse event space with great city views.
Hotel Bergs, Riga - suiteArt Nouveau design combines black-and-white colour tones with leather furniture and oak floors, while paintings by Latvian old masters merge with African traditional textiles and woodcarvings. Paintings by Ilmârs Blumbergs adorn the guest room walls and he also created the striking fountain in the courtyard.
Restaurant BergsRestaurant Bergs
Restaurant Bergs, decorated in a contemporary style, has been thoughtfully designed to provide guests with a calm and intimate retreat in the business centre of one of the most exciting areas of the city. The modern interior is accented with vibrant colours and design elements. With a glassed-in veranda and summer terrace, you'll enjoy the view of the hotel courtyard and fountain. Restaurant Bergs is under the leadership of chef Nauris Jakusko, providing our guests with exquisite cuisine and distinguished service. The restaurant menu offers artful presentation of outstanding dishes to feast your eyes as well as stomach.
Spa Bergs
Visit the Spa for a Latvian tradition, featuring:
Classic Swedish massageFacialFoot massageNeck massageOil massageReflexologyNearby in Riga
The hotel is located in the historic centre of Riga, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Just a few blocks away, you can discover Riga’s old town and the stunning art nouveau district, visit Riga′s Central Market, the largest open-air market in Europe, or enjoy a spectacular night at the opera.
Bergs BazaarEnjoy some retail therapy in Bergs Bazaar pedestrian shopping area, at your doorstep. The stylish Bergs Bazaar, an historical pedestrian village-like enclave originally constructed between 1887–1900, is one of Riga’s premier shopping and dining destinations. Explore small boutiques offering both local and international items, dine at one of the popular restaurants or cafes — both casual and up-market, or simply stroll about stopping to rest on one of the many benches.
Entrances from Elizabetes, Dzirnavu and Marijas iela, between K. Barona iela and Marijas iela near Vērmanes Park.
Hotel Bergs, Riga - lobbyRumene Manor
At Hotel Bergs’ countryside residence, Rumene Manor, guests can enjoy the idyllic Latvian countryside in a refined setting. Rumene Manor is a meticulously restored 19th century Baltic-German estate which is ideally suited for weddings, executive retreats, private dinners and overnights stays just over an hour’s drive outside of Riga. Experience traditional Latvian SPA rituals in the sauna house on the estate’s private lake.
Add Tallinn, Estonia to your itinerary for a 4-night deal
Baltic Capitals with Small Luxury Hotels, Riga & Tallinn
Enjoy the Baltic capitals, Riga & Tallinn with Small Luxury Hotels Hotel Bergs Riga & Hotel Telegraaf Tallinn. It's a wonderful offer to experience Baltic Capitals in style.
Hotel Bergs, Riga - entranceAt Hotel Bergs, Rigas:
• Two night's luxurious accommodation in a Studio Suite;
• Room upgrade to the next room category at check-in (up to availability);
• Welcome greeting in your suite upon arrival;
• Daily a la carte breakfast in Bergs Restaurant;
• Complimentary three-course lunch for two in Bergs Restaurant (incl.soft drinks);
• Private airport transfer upon arrival or departure.
At Hotel Telegraaf Tallinn
Once the exchange station for the Estonian Telegraph Company, this carefully restored 19th century building now houses a luxurious 86 room first class hotel with the exclusive restaurant “Tchaikovsky – A Symphony of Russian Cuisine”, a Spa with award-winning Elemis products and the Old Town’s only hotel with underground parking, located just steps away from Tallinn’s heart – Town Hall Square.
Tchaikovsky Restaurant, Hotel Telegraaf, Tallinn• Two night's luxurious accommodation in a Superior Double room;
• Full daily breakfast in Tchaikovsky Restaurant;
• VIP treatment in your room upon arrival;
• Private airport transfer upon arrival or departure;
• Unlimited usage of Elemis SPA facilities (swimming pool, saunas & jacuzzi);
• 48-hours Tallinn Card for two persons – free entrance and discounts to nearly 100 tourist attractions in Tallinn (including Official Tallinn City Tour, KUMU Art Museum and many more).
• Two-hotel package price for 2 guests, 4 nights: €840.
• Rates include all taxes. Certain black-out dates my apply.
• Confirmed bookings are final. The confirmed rate will be fully charged in case of a cancellation.
• For reservations please call +371 67770900 or e-mail: hotelbergs@hotelbergs.lv
Hotel Bergs83/85 Elizabetes Street,Bergs Bazaar, RigaLV-1050, Latvia
Hotel Bergs
Contemporary 5-Star Luxury in Historic Riga, Latvia
2X2-Night Baltic Capitals Deal
• Find out more
Contemporary chic in the center of Riga - Hotel Bergs is a smart, five-star haven in the charming historical quarter known as the Bergs Bazaar.
Bergs Hotel, RigaHotel Bergs is a designer boutique hotel nestled behind a 19th century brick façade, featuring 38 spacious guest suites, the famous Bergs restaurant offering haute cuisine inspired by local fare as well as a fitness and wellness center, elegant meeting lounges and a penthouse event space with great city views.
Hotel Bergs, Riga - suiteArt Nouveau design combines black-and-white colour tones with leather furniture and oak floors, while paintings by Latvian old masters merge with African traditional textiles and woodcarvings. Paintings by Ilmârs Blumbergs adorn the guest room walls and he also created the striking fountain in the courtyard.
Restaurant BergsRestaurant BergsRestaurant Bergs, decorated in a contemporary style, has been thoughtfully designed to provide guests with a calm and intimate retreat in the business centre of one of the most exciting areas of the city. The modern interior is accented with vibrant colours and design elements. With a glassed-in veranda and summer terrace, you'll enjoy the view of the hotel courtyard and fountain. Restaurant Bergs is under the leadership of chef Nauris Jakusko, providing our guests with exquisite cuisine and distinguished service. The restaurant menu offers artful presentation of outstanding dishes to feast your eyes as well as stomach.
Spa Bergs
Visit the Spa for a Latvian tradition, featuring:
Classic Swedish massageFacialFoot massageNeck massageOil massageReflexologyNearby in Riga
The hotel is located in the historic centre of Riga, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Just a few blocks away, you can discover Riga’s old town and the stunning art nouveau district, visit Riga′s Central Market, the largest open-air market in Europe, or enjoy a spectacular night at the opera.
Bergs BazaarEnjoy some retail therapy in Bergs Bazaar pedestrian shopping area, at your doorstep. The stylish Bergs Bazaar, an historical pedestrian village-like enclave originally constructed between 1887–1900, is one of Riga’s premier shopping and dining destinations. Explore small boutiques offering both local and international items, dine at one of the popular restaurants or cafes — both casual and up-market, or simply stroll about stopping to rest on one of the many benches.Entrances from Elizabetes, Dzirnavu and Marijas iela, between K. Barona iela and Marijas iela near Vērmanes Park.
Hotel Bergs, Riga - lobbyRumene ManorAt Hotel Bergs’ countryside residence, Rumene Manor, guests can enjoy the idyllic Latvian countryside in a refined setting. Rumene Manor is a meticulously restored 19th century Baltic-German estate which is ideally suited for weddings, executive retreats, private dinners and overnights stays just over an hour’s drive outside of Riga. Experience traditional Latvian SPA rituals in the sauna house on the estate’s private lake.
Add Tallinn, Estonia to your itinerary for a 4-night deal
Baltic Capitals with Small Luxury Hotels, Riga & Tallinn
Enjoy the Baltic capitals, Riga & Tallinn with Small Luxury Hotels Hotel Bergs Riga & Hotel Telegraaf Tallinn. It's a wonderful offer to experience Baltic Capitals in style.
Hotel Bergs, Riga - entranceAt Hotel Bergs, Rigas:• Two night's luxurious accommodation in a Studio Suite;
• Room upgrade to the next room category at check-in (up to availability);
• Welcome greeting in your suite upon arrival;
• Daily a la carte breakfast in Bergs Restaurant;
• Complimentary three-course lunch for two in Bergs Restaurant (incl.soft drinks);
• Private airport transfer upon arrival or departure.
At Hotel Telegraaf Tallinn
Once the exchange station for the Estonian Telegraph Company, this carefully restored 19th century building now houses a luxurious 86 room first class hotel with the exclusive restaurant “Tchaikovsky – A Symphony of Russian Cuisine”, a Spa with award-winning Elemis products and the Old Town’s only hotel with underground parking, located just steps away from Tallinn’s heart – Town Hall Square.
Tchaikovsky Restaurant, Hotel Telegraaf, Tallinn• Two night's luxurious accommodation in a Superior Double room;• Full daily breakfast in Tchaikovsky Restaurant;
• VIP treatment in your room upon arrival;
• Private airport transfer upon arrival or departure;
• Unlimited usage of Elemis SPA facilities (swimming pool, saunas & jacuzzi);
• 48-hours Tallinn Card for two persons – free entrance and discounts to nearly 100 tourist attractions in Tallinn (including Official Tallinn City Tour, KUMU Art Museum and many more).
• Two-hotel package price for 2 guests, 4 nights: €840.
• Rates include all taxes. Certain black-out dates my apply.
• Confirmed bookings are final. The confirmed rate will be fully charged in case of a cancellation.
• For reservations please call +371 67770900 or e-mail: hotelbergs@hotelbergs.lv
Hotel Bergs83/85 Elizabetes Street,Bergs Bazaar, RigaLV-1050, Latvia
April 13, 2017
Coming soon: Jay Clark Band - Cocked & Loaded (April 30, 2017)
Coming soon:
Jay Clark Band - Cocked & Loaded
(April 30, 2017)
• Buy the Single
Jay Clark comes from Ohio but you might be forgiven for assuming he's from south of the Mason-Dixon line after hearing this recording of southern fried rock.
The sound is familiar, but he takes the time and skill to perfect it and perform it with sincerity. It's guitar-driven, but the instrumentation is varied and textured, including a rich Hammond B3 and fiddle on some tracks. Jay's got just the right vocals for this kind of music - melodic, with a nice range, and a whisky roughened edge that gives it power and expression.
Overall, the album's mood ranges from party country rock to a more metallic sound, back to a new country vibe. Lyrically, the songs cover the girls, guns, and boozin' with the boys territory that you'd expect. But that's not to say there's no imagination to be found, or occasional flashes of wry humour. From Another Love Song,
I don't wanna write another love song
Cause what we got might not last that long
It's Southern-infused party rock just in time for summer. Jay began writing his own material inspired by a brother's budding acting career. He made the savvy move of creating and posting a few videos to Facebook that got a lot of positive feedback.
After about 20 videos, he was looking to take the next step, and eventually decided to head to Nashville, where he'd be able to hire the best session musicians. That's just what he did when recording a series of demos that ended up as a 5-song EP he called Never Too Late.
That material, reworked - along with five new songs recorded at Beaird Music in Nashville earlier this year - became the nucleus of Cocked & Loaded, his debut LP.
Instruments:
Drums: Tommy Harden; Bass: Eli Beaird / Mike Brignardello; Electric: Jeff King; Piano: Steve Nathan; Acoustic: John Willis / Larry Beaird; Vocals: Tania Hancheroff; Vocals: Adam Cunningham
Tracklisting:
1Get Wild
2 Hell or High Water
3 Leave It All Behind
4 Won't Be Pushed Around
5 The River
6 Freight Train
7 Another Love Song
8 Cocked & Loaded
9 Whatcha Doin' To Me
10 Shakedown
Websites:
Jayclarkband.com
https://jayclark1.bandcamp.com/
facebook.com/jayclarkband
twitter.com/jcrocker8
The River is the first single in advance of the album's release, a track with a driving country rock heart aided by Adam Cunningham on vocals.
Jay Clark Band - Cocked & Loaded
(April 30, 2017)
• Buy the Single
Jay Clark comes from Ohio but you might be forgiven for assuming he's from south of the Mason-Dixon line after hearing this recording of southern fried rock.
The sound is familiar, but he takes the time and skill to perfect it and perform it with sincerity. It's guitar-driven, but the instrumentation is varied and textured, including a rich Hammond B3 and fiddle on some tracks. Jay's got just the right vocals for this kind of music - melodic, with a nice range, and a whisky roughened edge that gives it power and expression.Overall, the album's mood ranges from party country rock to a more metallic sound, back to a new country vibe. Lyrically, the songs cover the girls, guns, and boozin' with the boys territory that you'd expect. But that's not to say there's no imagination to be found, or occasional flashes of wry humour. From Another Love Song,
I don't wanna write another love song
Cause what we got might not last that long
It's Southern-infused party rock just in time for summer. Jay began writing his own material inspired by a brother's budding acting career. He made the savvy move of creating and posting a few videos to Facebook that got a lot of positive feedback.
After about 20 videos, he was looking to take the next step, and eventually decided to head to Nashville, where he'd be able to hire the best session musicians. That's just what he did when recording a series of demos that ended up as a 5-song EP he called Never Too Late.
That material, reworked - along with five new songs recorded at Beaird Music in Nashville earlier this year - became the nucleus of Cocked & Loaded, his debut LP.
Instruments:
Drums: Tommy Harden; Bass: Eli Beaird / Mike Brignardello; Electric: Jeff King; Piano: Steve Nathan; Acoustic: John Willis / Larry Beaird; Vocals: Tania Hancheroff; Vocals: Adam Cunningham
Tracklisting:1Get Wild
2 Hell or High Water
3 Leave It All Behind
4 Won't Be Pushed Around
5 The River
6 Freight Train
7 Another Love Song
8 Cocked & Loaded
9 Whatcha Doin' To Me
10 Shakedown
Websites:
Jayclarkband.com
https://jayclark1.bandcamp.com/
facebook.com/jayclarkband
twitter.com/jcrocker8
The River is the first single in advance of the album's release, a track with a driving country rock heart aided by Adam Cunningham on vocals.
Recently released: Shawna Virago - Heaven Sent Delinquent (Shawna Virage / Tranimal Records, Jan 1 2017)
Recently released:
Shawna Virago - Heaven Sent Delinquent
(Shawna Virage / Tranimal Records, Jan 1 2017)
• Available on vinyl, CD, download
• Stream it on SoundCloud
Come whisper something...smart
In my ear
(From Bright Green Ideas)
Clever, sharply observed lyrics and a sincere musical appreciation for the expressive flavours of Americana raise this recent release by Shawna Virago well above the herd of singer songwriters recording today.
Virago is a pioneer; she has been performing as an out transwoman since the early 1990’s and it hasn't gone unnoticed. Her music has been profiled in many publications, including Bitch, the Advocate and Curve magazines and on left-of-the-dial radio.
You honestly don't actually have to know any of that to enjoy the folk/punk sound of the San Francisco based artist. Shawna uses the intimate acoustic sound and storyteller's perch of Americana to get the message across, using the sounds of country, bluegrass, and rockabilly in imaginative ways. It works well with her poetically insightful and observant lyrics. From the Ballad of Miss Suzy Texas,
She remembers the liquor stores they robbed together
Ya life was perfect then...
The mood is gritty and real in songs like Last Nights Sugar, a plaintive ballad about people who slide into the casinos and hook up in cheap motels. There's often a dry sense of humour at work. From Burnout,
The girls wore black,
Like they was Sylvia Plath
But I bet they never
Even read her
Virago describes the songs in a media release. “These are the stories of my generation – a generation of transgender people who came out long before the internet, before transgender celebrities and reality TV stars… before anybody gave a shit about us.”
Virago composed original music for choreographer Sean Dorsey’s acclaimed dance theater work Uncovered: The Diary Project, about pioneering transman Lou Sullivan. Along with her musical career, Virago is a published writer and she has been featured in documentary works on PBS and NPR.
Shewired named Shawna as one of the nation’s “Top 25 Hot Femmes.” The Advocate named Virago’s song Objectified as one of the nation’s top transgender anthems. In addition to her own work, Virago is also the Artistic Director of the San Francisco Transgender Film Festival.
Websites:
www.shawnavirago.com
Twitter: @ShawnaVirago
Facebook
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/shawnavirago/
The first single is Gender Armageddon
Shawna Virago - Heaven Sent Delinquent
(Shawna Virage / Tranimal Records, Jan 1 2017)
• Available on vinyl, CD, download
• Stream it on SoundCloud
Come whisper something...smart
In my ear
(From Bright Green Ideas)
Clever, sharply observed lyrics and a sincere musical appreciation for the expressive flavours of Americana raise this recent release by Shawna Virago well above the herd of singer songwriters recording today.
Virago is a pioneer; she has been performing as an out transwoman since the early 1990’s and it hasn't gone unnoticed. Her music has been profiled in many publications, including Bitch, the Advocate and Curve magazines and on left-of-the-dial radio.You honestly don't actually have to know any of that to enjoy the folk/punk sound of the San Francisco based artist. Shawna uses the intimate acoustic sound and storyteller's perch of Americana to get the message across, using the sounds of country, bluegrass, and rockabilly in imaginative ways. It works well with her poetically insightful and observant lyrics. From the Ballad of Miss Suzy Texas,
She remembers the liquor stores they robbed together
Ya life was perfect then...
The mood is gritty and real in songs like Last Nights Sugar, a plaintive ballad about people who slide into the casinos and hook up in cheap motels. There's often a dry sense of humour at work. From Burnout,
The girls wore black,
Like they was Sylvia Plath
But I bet they never
Even read her
Virago describes the songs in a media release. “These are the stories of my generation – a generation of transgender people who came out long before the internet, before transgender celebrities and reality TV stars… before anybody gave a shit about us.”
Virago composed original music for choreographer Sean Dorsey’s acclaimed dance theater work Uncovered: The Diary Project, about pioneering transman Lou Sullivan. Along with her musical career, Virago is a published writer and she has been featured in documentary works on PBS and NPR.Shewired named Shawna as one of the nation’s “Top 25 Hot Femmes.” The Advocate named Virago’s song Objectified as one of the nation’s top transgender anthems. In addition to her own work, Virago is also the Artistic Director of the San Francisco Transgender Film Festival.
Websites:
www.shawnavirago.com
Twitter: @ShawnaVirago
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/shawnavirago/
The first single is Gender Armageddon
Recently released: Sara Ontaneda - Entre Espacios y Colores (Independent, March 20 2017)
Recently released:
Sara Ontaneda - Entre Espacios y Colores
(Independent, March 20, 2017)
• Buy the CD
Entre Espacios y Colores is the first full-length release for the artist who divides her time - and touring schedule - between New York City and Ecuador.
The vibe on the tracks is easy, with a loose groove you'd put into anything from contemporary to Latin jazz. Sarah's voice is clear with a sweet edge, fluid over the octaves and in and out of the rhythm.
The arrangements use lush keyboard sounds along with horns and a standard guitar plus rhythm section. Aprovechar (Sencillo) begins with a spare acoustic guitar and rhythm section, adding a horn line to the texture along with judicious keyboards.
The melodies and harmonies defy easy categorization. Sara has developed an imaginative sound that showcases her clear, expressive voice in a series of lush arrangements. Darling has a laid back swing.
Darling you and I can have our fun
But I gotta let you know
I got some scars...
Her voice trips lightly around the lines and rhythms. She's an accomplished singer, but the technique never feels indulgent or embellished for its own sake. It adds a layer of expression with an effortless kind of sound.
Waiting Outside is another upbeat, straight-up jazz track with an insistent syncopation. Sara's first album is bilingual with tracks in English and others in Spanish, reflecting Sara's multi-cultural life in New York City.
Sara performs in many different cities of the US and Ecuador, including festivals like SXSW 2016 in Austin, TX, Outside of the Box 2016 (Boston), the South Florida Folk Festival and the Marte y Jupiter EP Ecuador Tour" where she played in 4 cities: Guayaquil, Piñas, Quito, and Cuenca.
She's a graduate of Berklee College of Music where she majored in Contemporary Writing and Production. Sara graduated with honors and received scholarship awards for her efforts. She released her first single inn August 2014. "Pero Hoy", under the CVRA LVDORVM (Ecuador) label is still played frequently on Ecuadorian radio.
If you are looking for a jazz singer with a different vibe than the usual, with a Latin flavour - or just an accomplished vocalist with a fluid style, this is an interesting collection of t;racks to discover.
Instruments:
Music and Lyrics by Sara Ontaneda; Sara Ontaneda - Guitar/Vocals/Synths; Alejandro Zorrilla - bass; Fabio Rojas - drums' David Manuhutu - keys; Santiago Bosch - keys; Alto Sax - Yoo Sun Nam; Tenor Sax - Samuel Batista; Trumpet - Dustin Beardsley; Violin - Kiho Yutaka
Tracklisting:
1. Chico Bien
2. Aprovechar
3. My City
4. A Pensar
5. Darling
6. Huecos
7. Waiting Outside
8. Park Drive
9. Guíame
Websites:
Official: http://saraontanedamusic.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saraontanedamusic/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saraontaneda/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SaraOntanedaMus
Sara Ontaneda - Entre Espacios y Colores
(Independent, March 20, 2017)
• Buy the CD
Entre Espacios y Colores is the first full-length release for the artist who divides her time - and touring schedule - between New York City and Ecuador.
The vibe on the tracks is easy, with a loose groove you'd put into anything from contemporary to Latin jazz. Sarah's voice is clear with a sweet edge, fluid over the octaves and in and out of the rhythm.The arrangements use lush keyboard sounds along with horns and a standard guitar plus rhythm section. Aprovechar (Sencillo) begins with a spare acoustic guitar and rhythm section, adding a horn line to the texture along with judicious keyboards.
The melodies and harmonies defy easy categorization. Sara has developed an imaginative sound that showcases her clear, expressive voice in a series of lush arrangements. Darling has a laid back swing.
Darling you and I can have our fun
But I gotta let you know
I got some scars...
Her voice trips lightly around the lines and rhythms. She's an accomplished singer, but the technique never feels indulgent or embellished for its own sake. It adds a layer of expression with an effortless kind of sound.
Waiting Outside is another upbeat, straight-up jazz track with an insistent syncopation. Sara's first album is bilingual with tracks in English and others in Spanish, reflecting Sara's multi-cultural life in New York City.
Sara performs in many different cities of the US and Ecuador, including festivals like SXSW 2016 in Austin, TX, Outside of the Box 2016 (Boston), the South Florida Folk Festival and the Marte y Jupiter EP Ecuador Tour" where she played in 4 cities: Guayaquil, Piñas, Quito, and Cuenca.
She's a graduate of Berklee College of Music where she majored in Contemporary Writing and Production. Sara graduated with honors and received scholarship awards for her efforts. She released her first single inn August 2014. "Pero Hoy", under the CVRA LVDORVM (Ecuador) label is still played frequently on Ecuadorian radio.
If you are looking for a jazz singer with a different vibe than the usual, with a Latin flavour - or just an accomplished vocalist with a fluid style, this is an interesting collection of t;racks to discover.
Instruments:
Music and Lyrics by Sara Ontaneda; Sara Ontaneda - Guitar/Vocals/Synths; Alejandro Zorrilla - bass; Fabio Rojas - drums' David Manuhutu - keys; Santiago Bosch - keys; Alto Sax - Yoo Sun Nam; Tenor Sax - Samuel Batista; Trumpet - Dustin Beardsley; Violin - Kiho Yutaka
Tracklisting:1. Chico Bien
2. Aprovechar
3. My City
4. A Pensar
5. Darling
6. Huecos
7. Waiting Outside
8. Park Drive
9. Guíame
Websites:
Official: http://saraontanedamusic.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saraontanedamusic/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saraontaneda/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SaraOntanedaMus
April 12, 2017
New Single: Monica da Silva - Soldado de Amor
From a media release:
New Single:
Monica da Silva - Soldado de Amor
• Download the track on iTunes
Socialite Fiasco Music is pleased to announce the release of “Soldado de Amor” (Soldier of Love) by Brazilian American singer songwriter Monica da Silva.
In it, Monica's sweet, languid vocals dance around thick Brazilian rhythms. The track was inspired by the vintage “marchinhas” (marches) and popular samba songs of Brazilian Carnival, and features the haunting vocals that da Silva is known for.
Soldado de Amor was released on March 31st, 2017. The song is now being featured on the BBC Drama “THE REPLACEMENT”, and will soon be included on da Silva’s new album, a follow up to her debut album “Brasilissima”.
"Soldado de Amor", which da Silva co-wrote with her brother Bruce Driscoll (Freedom Fry, Blondfire), was produced by Bruce Driscoll, along with longtime collaborator Chad Alger (Complicated Animals).
Da Silva’s music has been featured on The World Cup, TED, Ibiza Beats, and Putumayo World Music’s “Brazilian Beat”. She also writes and releases music with guitarist and producer Chad Alger, as the Indie duo Complicated Animals.
Credits:
Written by Monica da Silva and Bruce Driscoll (Freedom Fry)
Vocals: Monica da Silva, Bruce Driscoll
Guitar: Bruce Driscoll
Drums & Percussion: Chad Alger (Complicated Animals)
Mixed by Chad Alger, Bruce Driscoll
Mastered by Yoad Nevo
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:
Official Website: www.monicadasilva.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/dasilvamonica
FB: www.facebook.com/monicadasilvamusicpage
IG: www.instagram.com/monicadasilva
SoundCloud: www.soundcloud.com/monicadasilva
New Single:
Monica da Silva - Soldado de Amor
• Download the track on iTunes
Socialite Fiasco Music is pleased to announce the release of “Soldado de Amor” (Soldier of Love) by Brazilian American singer songwriter Monica da Silva.
In it, Monica's sweet, languid vocals dance around thick Brazilian rhythms. The track was inspired by the vintage “marchinhas” (marches) and popular samba songs of Brazilian Carnival, and features the haunting vocals that da Silva is known for.
Soldado de Amor was released on March 31st, 2017. The song is now being featured on the BBC Drama “THE REPLACEMENT”, and will soon be included on da Silva’s new album, a follow up to her debut album “Brasilissima”.
"Soldado de Amor", which da Silva co-wrote with her brother Bruce Driscoll (Freedom Fry, Blondfire), was produced by Bruce Driscoll, along with longtime collaborator Chad Alger (Complicated Animals).
Da Silva’s music has been featured on The World Cup, TED, Ibiza Beats, and Putumayo World Music’s “Brazilian Beat”. She also writes and releases music with guitarist and producer Chad Alger, as the Indie duo Complicated Animals.
Credits:Written by Monica da Silva and Bruce Driscoll (Freedom Fry)
Vocals: Monica da Silva, Bruce Driscoll
Guitar: Bruce Driscoll
Drums & Percussion: Chad Alger (Complicated Animals)
Mixed by Chad Alger, Bruce Driscoll
Mastered by Yoad Nevo
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:
Official Website: www.monicadasilva.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/dasilvamonica
FB: www.facebook.com/monicadasilvamusicpage
IG: www.instagram.com/monicadasilva
SoundCloud: www.soundcloud.com/monicadasilva
April 9, 2017
Japan Travel: Spring in Japan & Taxi Travel Tip
From a media release:
Japan Travel:
Spring in Japan & Taxi Travel Tip
Springtime is especially splendiferous in Japan, and even if you can't make it this year, you can view some of the blossoming abundance that makes it so special online - and then make your future plans...
Osaka Castle in the springtimeThe Return of Spring and Hanami Season
Hanami is the ancient art of appreciating the beauty of flowers, and for many outside the country, it has become synonymous with experiencing cherry blossom season in Japan.
At this time of year, Japan is awash in cherry blossoms from north to south. If you are in or around Tokyo, the Tobu Sakura Matsuri 2017 website introduces recommended viewing spots, dates, and shops offering cherry-blossom sweets along the Tobu Railway. Once the trees have fully bloomed, 360-degree videos of Sumida Park, Satte Gongendo, and Kawagoe Shingashi River will be shot and added to the site.
Hanami parties under the night sky are also popular, and Kinugawa-onsen will be hosting viewing parties around the bottom of the Kinugawa Ropeway from April 8 to the 15th. They are also offering a Hanami Bento Combo , which includes a reserved seat, a special Hanami Bento made by a local restaurant chef, 2 cups of sake in a traditional masu cup, and games for JPY 5,400 per person. Advance reservation is required.
Foreign Friendly Taxi Service in Kyoto
• Get all the details and download the app
Getting around Kyoto City is now easier than ever with a new Foreign Friendly Taxi service. The first ever foreigner-first taxi stands in Japan have been established at Kyoto Station and offer 24-hour service at Hachijyo gate and 9am-11pm service at Karasuma Gate.
Drivers located at the two stands take a foreign language seminar and customer service training and can accept credit cards and traffic IC cards. The cars are marked with a special Foreign Friendly TAXI sign and can accommodate more than 2 pieces of luggage.
While on the go, you can have a Foreign Friendly Taxi dispatched using the Japan Taxi app , available in English, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, and Korean.
Japan Travel:
Spring in Japan & Taxi Travel Tip
Springtime is especially splendiferous in Japan, and even if you can't make it this year, you can view some of the blossoming abundance that makes it so special online - and then make your future plans...
Osaka Castle in the springtimeThe Return of Spring and Hanami SeasonHanami is the ancient art of appreciating the beauty of flowers, and for many outside the country, it has become synonymous with experiencing cherry blossom season in Japan.
At this time of year, Japan is awash in cherry blossoms from north to south. If you are in or around Tokyo, the Tobu Sakura Matsuri 2017 website introduces recommended viewing spots, dates, and shops offering cherry-blossom sweets along the Tobu Railway. Once the trees have fully bloomed, 360-degree videos of Sumida Park, Satte Gongendo, and Kawagoe Shingashi River will be shot and added to the site.
Hanami parties under the night sky are also popular, and Kinugawa-onsen will be hosting viewing parties around the bottom of the Kinugawa Ropeway from April 8 to the 15th. They are also offering a Hanami Bento Combo , which includes a reserved seat, a special Hanami Bento made by a local restaurant chef, 2 cups of sake in a traditional masu cup, and games for JPY 5,400 per person. Advance reservation is required.
Foreign Friendly Taxi Service in Kyoto
• Get all the details and download the app
Getting around Kyoto City is now easier than ever with a new Foreign Friendly Taxi service. The first ever foreigner-first taxi stands in Japan have been established at Kyoto Station and offer 24-hour service at Hachijyo gate and 9am-11pm service at Karasuma Gate.
Drivers located at the two stands take a foreign language seminar and customer service training and can accept credit cards and traffic IC cards. The cars are marked with a special Foreign Friendly TAXI sign and can accommodate more than 2 pieces of luggage.
While on the go, you can have a Foreign Friendly Taxi dispatched using the Japan Taxi app , available in English, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, and Korean.
April 1, 2017
Niq Reefman - A Selection of Musical Tales (Independent - April 9 2017)
Upcoming:
Niq Reefman - A Selection of Musical Tales
(Independent - April 9 2017)
• Preorder/Buy the CD
You don't often describe someone as a Trumpet-Singer-Songwriter, but Aussie Niq Reefman is anything but ordinary. He uses jazz chords, electronics, and folky, conscious lyrics to tell stories with song. He calls himself "Instrument-fronted Contemporary Singer-Songwriter".
Based in Gosford, New South Wales, Australia, his music is hard to categorize, but easy to enjoy. Niq's voice is fluid and accomplished, with a style that veers between folk and vaudeville.
Witch Doctor is bouncy and electronic, where Close Shave uses accordion and trumpet in Niq's singular style to create something that could be musical theatre with a slight touch of Frank Zappa, without the profanity. From I Got My Mojo Back,
I am not amused at all
Last night I was God
Life can play cruel games on you
Just when you're thinking you were up on top
I'm a good boy is most like a conventional jazzy pop song...almost. Obligation is spoken word over a sythy jazz track, punctuated by trumpet notes.
A Selection of Musical Tales by Niq Reefman
Musical comedy fuses with jazz in his live shows, where his talent for storytelling comes alive. Niq spent 2016 playing in festivals, vineyards, wine bars, restaurants, theatres, schools and homes across Australia, including a well received appearance at Granite Town Festival, where he was asked to join the closing band for a guest appearance.
It's fun collection, thoughtful, quirky, and musically diverse, to say the least.
Personnel: Niq Reefman - Trumpet, Keyboard/synth (percussion & bass included), Vocals, Accordion, Ukulele.
Tracklisting:
WitchdoctorClose ShaveGlueMooshiek ManI’ve got my Mojo backI’m a Good BoyHorn of FateStorm at SeaObligationFishingIn AustraliaSocial media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/niqreefman/
Website: http://www.niqreefman.com.au/
Tunecore: http://web.tunecore.com/dashboard?pb=n
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/niqreefman/
Niq Reefman - A Selection of Musical Tales
(Independent - April 9 2017)
• Preorder/Buy the CD
You don't often describe someone as a Trumpet-Singer-Songwriter, but Aussie Niq Reefman is anything but ordinary. He uses jazz chords, electronics, and folky, conscious lyrics to tell stories with song. He calls himself "Instrument-fronted Contemporary Singer-Songwriter".
Based in Gosford, New South Wales, Australia, his music is hard to categorize, but easy to enjoy. Niq's voice is fluid and accomplished, with a style that veers between folk and vaudeville.
Witch Doctor is bouncy and electronic, where Close Shave uses accordion and trumpet in Niq's singular style to create something that could be musical theatre with a slight touch of Frank Zappa, without the profanity. From I Got My Mojo Back,
I am not amused at all
Last night I was God
Life can play cruel games on you
Just when you're thinking you were up on top
I'm a good boy is most like a conventional jazzy pop song...almost. Obligation is spoken word over a sythy jazz track, punctuated by trumpet notes.
A Selection of Musical Tales by Niq Reefman
Musical comedy fuses with jazz in his live shows, where his talent for storytelling comes alive. Niq spent 2016 playing in festivals, vineyards, wine bars, restaurants, theatres, schools and homes across Australia, including a well received appearance at Granite Town Festival, where he was asked to join the closing band for a guest appearance.
It's fun collection, thoughtful, quirky, and musically diverse, to say the least.
Personnel: Niq Reefman - Trumpet, Keyboard/synth (percussion & bass included), Vocals, Accordion, Ukulele.Tracklisting:
WitchdoctorClose ShaveGlueMooshiek ManI’ve got my Mojo backI’m a Good BoyHorn of FateStorm at SeaObligationFishingIn AustraliaSocial media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/niqreefman/
Website: http://www.niqreefman.com.au/
Tunecore: http://web.tunecore.com/dashboard?pb=n
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/niqreefman/
Art & Culture Maven
Where I blog about art and culture, not surprisingly.
- Anya M. Wassenberg's profile
- 5 followers
