There’s nothing like a Las Vegas show to give you fabulous night of entertainment.  At the Palazzo Hotel I recently saw the long running and award winning, Jersey Boys.
If you’ve seen this production before, be prepared for a little upping of the risqué factor here in Las Vegas.  The language is a little coarser, making it, some would argue, a little more authentic.  It’s Jersey, after all.
But the story and the music is the same:  the evolution of the music and the careers of kids from Jersey trying to carve out some success.
Part theater and part concert performance, Jersey …read more

Seeing one of my favorite musicals, Phantom of the Opera, in a Las Vegas environment, was a chance that I jumped at.
This Phantom is an all-new production, reuniting the original creative team of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Hal Prince.  It’s the same storyline, including all the songs, but has new staging and illusions that are perfectly Vegas-inspired.
Without giving away some of the twists and turns of the plot, the story basically is this:
Young Christine Daae, a member of the chorus at the Paris Opera House, becomes the protege of a mysterious man who lives in the underground world of …read more

If you’re looking for a fun evening in Las Vegas, and one that doesn’t involved cards, dice, and a smoke filled casino, most people look for a show to go see.  That’s what I did during my time in Las Vegas attending the Luxury Travel Expo.
Since I was staying at the Mandalay Bay Resort (where the expo was held), the logical and easy choice was to see Mamma Mia, a theatrical production featuring music by ABBA.
While more of a rocker chick that a disco girl, I nonetheless found this musical immensely engaging and entertaining.  And yes, I found myself …read more

Another Monday, and another list of Money Saving Travel Tips.
 

Don’t be afraid to leave the tourist district.  Getting off the beaten path is always a good idea when you are looking for a more authentic experience.  Sometimes, this means a few blocks in either direction, sometimes it’s just getting off at a different subway stop.  You’ll generally find that a small neighborhood has less expensive bars and restaurants.  Plus, you have the opportunity to dine with the locals rather than other tourists.
If you’re traveling with kids, investigate hotels that offer promotions catering to families.  From “kids stay free” to complimentary meals …read more

Is it possible to combine Halloween, horror and art?
I didn’t think so, but evidently, the answer is yes.  The New York City Horror Film Festival has been doing it for five years.
The Fifth Annual event runs October 18th-22nd.   The big public bash to launch the event will be held on the 18th at Don Hills Club.  It will feature live music and an open bar (8-9 pm), along with some screenings.  You must be 21 to attend this event.
The remaining events will be held at the Tribeca Cinemas.
These films are the “best of the best” in the independent horror genre. There are …read more

If you’re not going to be able to take advantage of FREE Museum Day, September 30th, you still have some options if you live in the Baltimore area.
During October and November, you can enjoy the Free Fall Baltimore Program.  Area museums will be offering free and/or reduced admission.  Other highlights of the program include free live concerts, dance performances, and theater events.
I’ll be in Baltimore during this time, and will be checking out the Free Baltimore event listings for details.

Bumbershoot:  a noun, another name for an umbrella.
Labor Day:  a noun, the last 3-day weekend of the summer, and the time for Seattle’s Bumbershoot, the country’s largest music and arts festival.
Billed as the “mother of all arts festivals,” Bumbershoot was one of the good things to come out of Seattle in the 70’s, an otherwise turbulent and uninspired time in the city’s history. 
Then Mayor, Wes Uhlman, formed a citizen’s group to create a citywide event that would both jumpstart the economy, and infuse people with a sense of fun and enthusiasm. 
Originally billed as the Seattle Arts Festival, the FREE festival …read more

Here’s another FREE event for those of you living or traveling in Manhattan:
A FREE concert, Stars in the Alley, June 7th, at 11 am in Shubert Alley.  Enter on 45th Street, west of 7th Avenue. 
This annual event features stars from currently running Broadway shows, and is an end-of-season celebration and thank you to theater patrons.  It is also part of the events leading up to the Tony Awards on Sunday, June 11th.
You can get a full list of performers and appearances here.