Surfing The Channel

Archive for the ‘Culture’ Category

Seattle, Washington; surrounded by the snowy peak of mountains in the distance and by the sparkling water Elliott Bay , is a magnificent city to not only visit, but to live. With a modern skyline, the most friendliest people, coffeehouses in abundance, lakes, parks, great restaurants, and a hot club scene, Seattle has is all and so much more.

Today, Seattle attracts not only the high-techies whom work for Boeing and Microsoft , it also attracts the people with businesses like Starbucks and Amazon, also a more artistic crowd that want to be a part of the best music, the best theatre, performing arts and one of the best outdoor activities this side of the Mississippi. This unique and diverse combination of people is what makes Seattle great. Seattle’s solid economy has made this city an international destination for both tourists and companies wanting to conduct business.

When you arrive, you’ll immediately feel a ‘joy of living’ that permeates every space, and is felt by all the people living in and around this charming city. Even the best Seattle hotel will make your time in Seattle feel like they’ve let you in on a wonderful secret and that you’re a big part of what makes Seattle work. It’s also Seattle’s great outdoors, the trails, the lakes, and mountains that will make you feel like you’re a part of something more, of something grand.

Most people don’t understand how anyone could live in a place where it constantly rains and where the sun barely peaks out from under the cloud banks, but those are the people who have never been to Seattle, because once they do come for a visit, their attitude changes and they begin wonder why it took them so long to visit this spectacular city in the Northwest. The down-to-Earth ambiance, tweaked by innovative technology is irresistible. Ask any Seattleite and they’ll tell you that they moved here from another state and that it was the best move they’ve ever made.

One of the most successful theatres in the country is the Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago, Illinois.  This is a group of players, writers and directors that stay true to the original mission of the company, which is to encourage total collaboration between all those working in the theatre.  Many of those involved with the company, are involved on a regular basis, not like most other theatres wherein in once the show closes, everyone moves on to a new venue, a new show, and a new cast.  At the Steppenwolf, creativity is nurtured, and cast and crew work with each other repeatedly, forming bonds and friendships that are noticeable on stage.

The Steppenwolf is located in a great part of the city, downtown but on a charming street that is filled with a variety of restaurants and cool small pubs.  Finding a great hotel close by is easy, and you will find that everything you need is within walking distance.  Should you find yourself in the neighborhood, you really must catch a performance at the theatre.  The nine original founding members are some of the most recognized faces these days in film and television.

Gary Sinise founded the company with two of his high school friends, and at first they went from venue to venue to perform, before finding their permanent home.  They found their name in a random way, it is simply the name of the Herman Hesse novel, “Steppenwolf”, which Sinise’s friend happened to be reading at the time they decided to produce their first show.  Soon, more actors joined the company, Moira Harris, Alan Wilder, John Malkovich and Laurie Metcalf, and they all continue to work consistently either on the stage or behind the scenes.  They have always been committed to producing exciting work and providing dynamic theatre for the city of Chicago.  Chicago is a city that is teaming with wonderful live theatres, and Steppenwolf is one of the best in the business.

In a city known for great theatre, great culture, great art, great dining, great shopping, okay the list could go on forever and the g-r-e-a-t keys on my keyboard might wear out so I’m just assume you get the idea. The point of all this greatness is to stress that in such an amazing city like New York only the best of the best make it to the top and stay there. So when you consider how long ago William Shakespeare wrote and how often he is produced all over the world, including New York, it becomes all the more astounding how great he is. His genius is frequently taken for granted and even dismissed but when considered in the context of all the theatres and festivals that are even named after him and college classes and professional workshops dedicated to him, it becomes impossible to ignore or refute.

One of the most famous theatrical associations to Shakespeare in New York is the Public Theatre’s Shakespeare in the Park Series. The Public is one of the most respected companies in the city and is known for producing great new work. It’s simply another testament to Shakespeare’s brilliance that this theatre has an annual summer festival devoted to him. The Shakespeare in the Park series takes place in Central Park every summer and there are plenty of free tickets for it. There are frequently major Hollywood names starring in one or more of the productions and Al Pacino is on the cast list this year.

Shakespeare wrote during the late 1500s and early 1600s in London, England. His career spanned two English crowns, beginning with Queen Elizabeth the first on the throne and ended with King James I. Society and theatre productions were extremely different during those times and so was audience expectations and behaviors at the shows. They would frequently talk back to the actors and demonstrate their approval or displeasure physically and verbally. The theatre was more of a social occasion and the guests in New York’s finest four star hotels would be surprised at all of the goings on.

It doesn’t take much time in this city state before people realize how much Singapore has to offer.  It’s a spectacular traveler’s location, with an abundance of events and attractions all year long, and there’s plenty of spectacular spots to enjoy some solitude, too.  But the majority of the experience will be likely spent in this thriving metropolis, enjoying all the entertainments and the energy which is rather contagious.  The fascinating history of Singapore shows a large mix of cultures who have spent time here, and it’s part of the cultural fabric today.  The local cuisine, then, is a pretty fantastic mix of some of the most amazing culinary traditions on the planet, and the multicultural sensibility is also evident in the wide variety of foods available in the finest restaurants.

When you are looking to taste the best in Singapore food, guide yourself to the finer restaurants in town, and prepare to enjoy!  And if you’re up for local entertainments afterwards, there is so much here for you.  With clubs and discos, theatres and musical performances, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.  You might even find yourself doing a little country and western line dancing.  Singapore has been enjoying the line dancing craze for some time now, just like the rest of the world, but with some wonderful local twists.

This is just one more example of how this marvelous city state is always up on contemporary world culture.  There are plenty of local traditions, and music and dance to enjoy.  But there is also a terrific scene here that enjoys all the different kinds of music of the world.  Country and western line dancing is all over here, and there are many different groups that meet regularly to learn this form for the fun as well as for the exercise.  It’s always fascinating to find something familiar in a new surrounding, and to see what kinds of local flavors work their way in, and it’s an exciting way to get to know a place.