TravelCent

New York’s Public Theater

The Public Theater in New York is the most well known repertory Shakespeare company in the United States.  Known for excellent productions of Shakespeare’s work, the Public is dedicated to the production of new work as well.  One of the goals of the company has been the continued artistic achievements while ensuring that the work they produce remains relevant in society as well as accessible to the public.  While it is Shakespeare, they do not want people to feel intimidated, and work to produce musicals, comedies, and innovative and creative ways of staging the older classics.  They work from the premise of inclusion, through their programs that support development and education to new artists from all backgrounds, through their practice of casting in non traditional ways, their outreach programs in the schools of the city and through endeavors that provide cultural and social contexts for the works that are being produced.  They attempt to stage shows that reflect the current issues and the community interest.

All the communities in the city are represented by the Public Theater, and the company has always charged a nominal ticket price, or more often, offered the shows free of charge.  This is in keeping with the philosophy of making these shows available to everyone, regardless of financial status.  Many travel from all over the world to take part in the productions, staying in the small hotels New York is famous for, the historical and the charming buildings of the city.  For the Public is well known to address the voices of all countries, all cultures and rhythms of the soul.  Along with the main stage, the Public now houses a black box theater for new and experimental work as well as a smaller venue for musical performance.  Joe’s Pub is the name of the smaller venue and is quickly becoming a popular spot along side the Public.

New York City’s Nuyorican Poets Cafe

The Nuyorican Poets Cafe in New York, began in the front room of Miguel Algarin.  In 1973, Alagarin, wanting to create a venue for new works of theater and poetry, set up the space in the front room of his apartment in the East Village.  In just two short years, his living room became too small to accommodate the growing number of poets, and the growing audience.  Two of the poets who regularly performed there had become published and where beginning to win awards.  Algarin realized that indeed this was a sign that the culture of poetry, and the live readings of that poetry was becoming a vital and a necessary force in society.  So in 1975, Algarin moved the venue into an Irish pub that he rented, called the Sunshine Cafe.  He changed the name to the Nuyorican Poets Cafe, and five years later, it was became necessary for them to find an even larger space.  Now the Cafe is in its permanent home on East Third Street, and has been able to expand the programs and the activities they now offer.

This has become one of the most respected organizations throughout the country and many travel to participate or to witness the performances that take place, staying in one of the many luxury hotels New York City has to offer in the neighborhood close to the theater.  The Cafe is a non-profit group and has gained acclaim for the innovative performances in music, poetry, comedy, theater and the visual arts.  They have remained true to their original mission statement, which has been to create a venue that offers multi-cultural events, that has various exhibitions of the works of the artists, and is a place where the artists and the community are nurtured and supported.  An important goal being that the works on display or performed get seen by the widest audience possible.  It is no secret that throughout the years, many talented people, be they painters, or writers or actors, go un-noticed, or are under represented in a world that attends the large Broadway shows, or simply sits and watches American Idol.  This company supports these artists and is dedicated to finding the audience and bringing the art and the spectator to closer understandings of each other.

Folk Taoism in Singapore

There is much to offer the traveler looking for a boutique hotel in Singapore.  With its cosmopolitan air, the place has a lovely combination of old-world charm and new-world luxury and urban sophistication.  On the cusp of cultural and social change, this is a vibrant place, with a bustle of activity 24 hours a day, and a multitude of opportunities to relax.  Whether your stay here is for business or to invigorate your soul, there are many hidden gems in this sparkling place.

There are countless cultural festivals and activities to put you in touch with Singapore’s rich traditions.  There are Buddhist and Taoist temples, with many public festivals that can be witnessed by the respectful traveler.  There is also a fascinating tradition of Folk Taoism here that is less known, but no less fascinating.  In many circles, this tradition is downplayed because it is considered to be of the farmer’s class, and it certainly has its origins here.  But the roots are deep and run along a continuous line from many generations past.

One of the central components of Folk Taoism comes from the tradition of ancestor reverence, or ancestor worship.  This is considered to be the oldest and largest world religion, that covers the globe in nearly every culture, past and present.  The idea is that ancestors continue to affect the world of the living, and careful contact can work to contact the spirits of the dead to help in every human affair, from romances and finances to physical healing.  The special class of priests and priestesses in Singapore who can contact the dead are called “tankis“.  Tankis are a humble class, taking only the money offered at the discretion of the petitioner, and wealthy tankis are considered to have questionable faith and abilities.  Tankis specialize in contact with ancestral spirits as well as spirits from the Taoist pantheon (as well as other local spirits of place).  The stories of healings and messages from the dead are extremely fascinating.  Although these beliefs are certainly worthy of investigation, they should be approached with extreme respect, and would absolutely add enormous color to the journey.

UFO’s Cape Town

Sighting UFOs in Cape Town isn’t as far fetched as one might think. Thanks to all the television shows and movies, most people know something about Unidentified Flying Objects. But, few people would know how or even where to report such a sighting. A friend of mine was staying at some Luxury Hotels Cape Town when she told me about how many guest staying at the hotel were overly excited that they witnessed seeing some strange lights in the evening sky the night before. She told me that she didn’t believe the sightings due to the fact there was a UFO conference held at the University of Cape Town on Saturday.

I told her she had to attend, and report back to me what was being discussed. She being a very good friend, did as I asked and managed to fit in the UFO convention into her vacation schedule. I didn’t her from her until a week later. But, she did tell me the most interesting discussion at the UFO convention was about ’star kids’ or children who are born wise beyond their years. She said the Star Kids were highly evolved beings who knew they had come to Earth for somewhere else and often have the solutions to global issues. They also discussed the history of UFO sightings in South Africa and the proposed Open Contact law that would permit people to make contact with extra-terrestrials.

I wanted to hear more about the Star Kids, but she continued to tell me what else was discussed. Apparently, the head of the conference wrote a letter to President Thabo Mbeki. The letter asked if he would reveal his knowledge of UFO sightings. President Mbeki answered his letter by steering him to the Department of Environment and Tourism and they would be happy to answer any UFO sighting questions. My friend proceeded to tell me that she now believes that the excited guest at the hotel she was staying in, did actually witness a UFO. According to the Department of Environment and Tourism, UFO sightings of aliens and other objects are quiet common.

The Excitement and the Quiet of Valencia, Spain

Some of the most incredible beaches of Spain are located in Valencia.  And due to this fact, when traveling book rooms for the luxury hotels Valencia has lining those beaches early, as these beaches tend to remain quite busy year round.  The mountains in Valencia are perfect for hiking and nature walks, and the immense proportion of undeveloped land attracts many to the this region of Spain, as though it is crowded there is an abundance of wide open space.  There are three different districts in the city, the third largest in Spain, Valencia is not only the capital but is also the largest of the district.  Within that district are three more sub-districts or provinces.  To the north is Castellon, to the south is Alicante, and in the middle is Valencia.  Valencia offers a variety of activities, excursions and local flavor, as in the most famous Paella in all of Spain.  In the past, put off by the somewhat ugly scenery along the highway, most tourists simply overlooked the city.  But the City of Arts and Science opened, and people discovered the beauty that they had for long been driving right past.

The city has since become one of the most thrilling of Spain’s cities, a fusion of architecture that is totally modern and downright bordering on futuristic, and that of the ancient and traditional, historic buildings of long ago.  One of the favorite beaches is Costa Blanca with sits just south of the city.  Foreign travelers descend upon this beach while the Spanish travelers tend to fine the smaller seaside villages of Costa Asahar.  And every summer the music festival in the town of Benicassim attracts young rock fans from around the world.  Other attractions worth visiting while in the city are the water park, Aqualandia, the wildlife reserve Terra Natura, and the theme park Mitica.  And for those wishing a little more of the peaceful outdoors, the villages that are set amongst the mountains are the perfect option.  The breezes are cool, there are waterfalls and rivers that cool one down in the middle of summer and are the prime place for those wishing to stay off the road more traveled.

Don’t Forget Hawaii!

If you are planning a vacation getaway, don’t forget Hawaii.  With its many islands to explore, you can have the time of your life enjoying the great outdoors while shedding the stresses of your everyday life.  And no matter which island you choose, you will find yourself immersed in “big nature” with mountains and ocean spreading out all around you for miles.  Water lovers will revel in the perfect temperature for swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving.  Land lovers will be in ecstasy hiking the back trails and exploring both live and sleeping volcanoes.  There are many excellent tours that can be booked on your Hawaii vacation, whether it is a cruise that takes you from one island to the next or a helicopter ride that gives you a grand overview of the entire Hawaiian expanse.  Fishing trips are an excellent way to spend a day, as are guided horseback tours through the mountains.  You can also rent a jeep to explore on your own.  There are many wonderful places to stay on your Hawaiian vacation.  Book an island resort, a hotel on the beach, a cozy bed and breakfast, or camp out in one of the many exquisite parks.  There are great Hawaii vacation packages to choose from, easily found online or at your travel agent’s office.  Bring your family or go with a loved one.  Take your honeymoon on a quiet island like Lanai and you will make some of the most perfect memories for years to come.

Choy Brothers and Yimin Opera Troupe

Cantonese Opera is an immensely popular art form in Singapore, having existed for many centuries. Since the Cantonese Operas are such a traditional and vital part of the entertainment culture, the selection of opera companies and their productions are numerous. There are many recognizable themes to the productions but the unique style each performer brings to their performance adds an additional measure of enjoyment for the audience. The love, dedication and passion the performers feel for their art is evident in their exciting and extremely skilled performances.

The Choy Brothers Opera Troupe and the Chinese Theatre Circle are among the most active and prominent Cantonese Opera companies in Singapore. These companies and others have many highly admired and respected performers. Tham Fung Meng and Chan Mei Yin are two of these. Meng studied with the Chinese Theatre Circle and many of the most renowned Chinese artists. The Yimin Opera Troupe and the Yi Meng Cantonese Opera Group were both created by Meng. She also directed the Echo Cantonese Opera Group at the Eunos Community Centre. To this day, one of her most outstanding, and most remembered performances was in 1999 as the Princess Turandot with Wu Suet Yee. The following year she performed with Yee again in a special engagement showing of three opera excerpts.

Chan Mei Yin is another highly regarded performer, appearing regularly with the Kreta Ayer Community Centre Opera Troupe. She also serves as the company’s director. This an extremely popular, long-standing opera company with the unique distinction of being an all female cast. Using her incredible singing skills and acting talents, Yin is usually playing the male character in these productions. Dining at the best Singapore restaurants and attending a Cantonese Opera is truly a remarkable and pleasurable evening for tourists staying at the best Singapore hotels. It also makes for a standard evening out for locals.

The Ramayana

The Ramayana is an ancient Hindu sacred text. It is typically attributed to the sage Valmiki who composed the Sanskrit epic that was based on ancient stories and traditions. The oldest portions of the poem date back to the eleventh century CE. There are conflicting opinions about the actual authorship of some portions of the text. Regardless of the original authorship, the stories and themes it contains are fundamental aspects of Indian culture and tourists who are staying Delhi hotels will certainly recognize this in various aspects of their vacation. Also, many of the performances and other entertainment options are certain to contain some of the themes found in this epic text.

Though the main stories in the text date back to oral traditions found as early as 500 BC, the text was not actually composed until much later. Some of the main characters such as Rama, Janaka, Sita, and Vishwamitra are found in early Vedic literature. Rama is the hero of the epic and he is portrayed as the god Vishnu in his seventh incarnation. He is an extremely popular prince, the son of Dasharatha, the King of Ayodhya, and his wife Kousalya. Sita is Rama’s beloved wife, and the incarnation of the goddess Lakshmi. She is the essence of purity and female virtue while Rama is the essence of male virtue.

In the story, King Dasharatha is forced into exile and Rama and Sita go with him. The poem is divided into several separate books and each one deals with various phases and circumstances in the life of Rama. Some of the main themes it deals with include heroism, ethics and righteous living. Many of these stories can be interpreted with extreme relevance to life today and continue to be a source of philosophical and spiritual consultation. The epic has had a profound effect on the culture of India, which is evident in many aspects of the city of Delhi. Many performance arts such as drama and dance depict various aspects of this work. Throughout history, the stories have been performed in temples and regal courts.

Hindu Sacred Texts

Hinduism is a major religion in India. The country has many cultural aspects that relate to common Hindu themes. Many of the entertainment fields, architecture and arts also reflect the importance of this in society. This however, does not mean that Indians are not tolerant of other religions, which the majority of the population is. Tourists staying in five star hotels in New Delhi will most likely encounter some aspect of Hinduism during their stay. A familiarity with Hinduism helps to orient Western tourists to the culture and vacation expectations. The Mahabharata and the Ramayana are two essential Hindu texts.

The Mahabharata is full of sacred stories and philosophies regarding human spiritual evolution, moral standards and ethical norms. The title of the book may be literally translated as The Great Tale of the Bharata Dynasty. The authorship of this sacred text is most commonly accredited to Vyasa. It is believed to date back to the 8th century BC, though some of its layers date as late as the 4th century CE. The text comprises one of the longest epic poems in the world with its one hundred thousand verses and extended prose passages. It is about four times as long as the Ramayana.

The Ramayana is another sacred Hindu text. This work is commonly attributed to Valmiki. It contains major teachings of the ancient sages and it describes the ideal archetypal characters, such as mother, son, brother, wife, husband and daughter. Relationship ideals are a common theme in this epic. Most of the stories relate to the concept of dharma and its relevance to the human experience. These lessons are told through the main characters of Rama, Bharata, Sita, Hanuman and the villain Ravana. Much like the relevance of the Mahabharata, these themes and stories are fundamental elements in India’s culture and social consciousness.

The Scholar Maid

Every September and October Singapore hosts its annual International Cantonese Opera Festival. The Chinese Theatre Circle, which had its start in 1981, developed and organizes this cultural event. Traditional Cantonese opera is a standard element in Singapore’s society and is also extremely attractive to tourists who are staying in one of the best Singapore hotels. In addition to hosting the annual festival, the Chinese Theatre Circle is also the busiest opera company in Singapore. It gained its non-profit status in 1995 and has been offering an abundance of excellent productions since then.

There is a spectacular display of symbolic and colorful costumes in Chinese Opera, and while a tourist may wonder at their beauty, their social significance is a central component of their design. This is true also for the many graceful and harmonious movements that are incorporated into the dance. Most often the stories and plots of these operas relate to traditional Chinese themes and are based on the ancient classics. This is manifested not only in the movements and costumes but also in the set designs. Every aspect of the opera is stylized and employs an economy of gesture. A moral lesson is often incorporated into the theme and so are elements of patriotism, loyalty and honor.

One of the more popular productions that was produced by the Chinese Theatre Circle was the 2007 performance of The Scholar Maid. Hong Kong playwright, Mr. Tang Di Sheng, wrote the original script, and CTC’s Mr. Leslie Wong condensed it into a tour hour production. The story depicts a well known academic, Tang Bo Hu of the Ming Dynasty, who falls in love with a woman he met a court, Jui Xiang. He disguises himself as a servant in the home of the Prime Minister to win her heart. The Scholar Maid is a comedy, and as such includes many obstacles and situations that get in the way of Hu’s pursuit. Ultimately though, his plans succeed and true to its genre, the opera has a happy ending. One of the songs from this opera, Meeting at the Temple, continues to be a hit with Cantonese opera lovers.