Surfing The Channel

Archive for the ‘Entertainment’ Category

Like so many things in the world that are not what they seem, Miami is always vastly more complex than surfaces could ever reveal. The surfaces here are terrible appealing however, and the sights are often so spectacular that there isn’t necessarily pressing for a deeper look. A morning on the beach, time at a club, and then a pleasant sleep in a 5 star hotel, Miami doesn’t demand more than pure enjoyment.

But sometimes fate plays a part and reveals the truth even when one might not be looking. Ben Vereen , the extraordinary talent who’s graced stage and screen through a remarkable career, was born in Miami. Or maybe not. It wasn’t until he was applying for a passport when he was a young man that he discovered that he was actually adopted. This was after he’d graduated from New York’s performing arts high school, and already started to turn heads in theaters.

He wouldn’t meet his sister until 2006, long after he’d established himself as a major celebrity, having performed the role of Alex Haley’s ancestor Chicken George in Roots. One of his greatest roles, the entertainer in All That Jazz , is also a breathtaking study in slight of hand. Throughout the film, the audience sees him as a recurring television personality, thoroughly show business to the bone, and absolutely chronic in his inability to narrate reality without radical flourishes.

By the final scene, the long death sequence of the main character, we see him revealed as a kind of angel, welcoming the dying man to the other side. It’s performed with a kind of slickness and sly awareness that speaks of both healer and trickster characteristics.

And in another spin, where fate took a hand in his own personal life, when he was in an auto accident in 1992, he wandered from his car and was struck by another car. It could well have been fatal, but instead, he survived, and saw the accident as a chance to clean up his life, to work through his own grief, and to begin again. Inspiring millions in films and in life, he is a great humanitarian as well.

Portland’s position in the music culture of the world has been solidly placed ever since “Louie, Louie,” came out of here. It was a perfect anthem for a perfect time, and Portland was the place to be declaring it. It was loud, bold, and absurd, and anyone listening close for hidden meanings would be missing the point entirely. It was just about fun.

As music in the NorthWest progressed through the years, it became more complex, and more deeply felt, up until the rain-soaked kids began playing an enormously emotional sound that signaled a sharp and direct ennui. The fun of earlier times had fallen out of favor to be overtaken by a dark posture that was angry and mysterious. So when a band like Helio Sequence comes around, it’s a refreshing thing.

Composed of two very skilled musicians, Brandon Summers and Benjamin Weikel , the sound is not light at all, and there’s nothing in it that suggests it’s pure fun. But it’s not dark and dismal either, and the anger here is a mature one, that comes from contemplation as well as the rough experience of life.

This is the kind of culture that brings people to the Portland boutique hotels , where they can enjoy all that the city has to offer. It’s deep and complex, and there’s something that resembles real thought behind the tunes. It’s an experiment that’s lasted for ten years now, and one that will continue to sound good in the future. The duo has been able to negotiate their talents to make a wall of sound with their technological brilliance.

The songs are also upbeat, even when the content and tempo are low and in the land of the lost, there is a kind of hum behind the sound that is nothing less than uplifting. And at certain moments, it almost feels like the audience is being part of the creation of another local anthem.

Portland, Oregon is located at the northern edge of the state and is not far from the border of Washington. In fact, the Columbia River will take you from Longview, Washington, which is a small logging town in southern Washington, almost directly to Portland. Meanwhile, a short trip to Portland is an extremely popular day or weekend activity for many residents in southern Washington as well as many parts of Oregon. And of course many people from the rest of country are also interested in visiting this great city in the Pacific Northwest. As true for many great cities across the nation, there is a lot of hometown pride in the residents and while they are proud of their city they are also extremely friendly about sharing it with the numerous tourists that come through town every year.

As one of the leading cultural centers of Oregon, there are plenty of great entertainment attractions in Portland. Luxury hotels , bed and breakfasts and quaint resorts are all excellent information resources in addition to providing the finest accommodations you could hope for. And one of the places they are extremely like to refer you to is the Oregon Symphony and or the Portland Center Stage. The Oregon Symphony is one of the historic orchestras in the country was established in 1896. It is the oldest in the Western United States and is the sixth oldest in the country. It is housed in the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, which is located in the downtown Portland Cultural District.

Portland Center Stage is one of the city’s prominent theatre companies. Its home is at the Gerding Theater in the historic Portland Armory building. It was established in 1988 and continues to present some of the best theatre productions on its stage. It has been at its current home since 2006, after a long campaign process that gave it access to the building. It was established as the northern sibling of the famous Oregon Shakespeare Festival and became an independent theatre in 1993. Throughout its existence the theatre has gained greater recognition and respect and has also increased its production span and various offerings.

When in Miami Beach, try doing something a bit off the beaten path, like The Bass Museum of Art , located 2121 Park Avenue, between 21st and 22nd Streets and close to many Miami Beach hotels . The Bass Museum was born with the agreement between the City of Miami Beach and the Bass’s when they donate their entire art colletion back in 1963, but on the condition that the collection be kept in perpetuity and kept open to the public. The Bass collection has over 500 European works from the 15th to the early 20th century, including over 200 important groups of significant holdings of sculptures, works on paper, decorative objects and textiles, which the masterpiece tapestry ‘The Tournament’ and ‘The Hunt’ fill two walls on the museum’s Grand Ramp. The collections is a comprehensive collection of Southeast and European art that provides a solid foundation with which the museum was developed. The beautiful museum is surrounded by the symmetry of the formal gardens of Collins Park , which was also donated to the City by Collins in the 20’s. The building itself has quite a history, it was originally the Miami Beach Public Library and Art Center, which is now considered a centerpiece of Miami Beach’s historic district.

Recently, the Bass museum inaugurated the only Egyptian Gallery in Florida. The Gala Event was titled ‘A Night at the Museum’. This gallery offers a unique way to experience and learn about one of the most ancient worlds and to explore this very mysterious civilization, including an array displaying surviving objects that showcase 13 Egyptian antiquity such as an Egyptian sarcophagus and a mummy! The exhibits covers the Egyptian period from 1075 to 750 BC and the later period of 750 to 332 BC. A few of the objects are gifted to the Bass Museum from the Brooklyn Museum, the Lowe Art Museum and from Private Collections. General admission is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and students. Members get in free and children under 6.

Ybor City, a section in downtown Tampa. By day there’s plenty of shopping, art galleries, and historical attractions but at night it turns into the place to go and meet new people, offering many fun and interesting clubs. Known for it’s nightlife, Ybor offers clubs for every taste. Expect good music, good food and an over all good time in Ybor.

The Crowbar is one of the few venues around Tampa that consistently brings in original rock bands. Lit up with strings of Christmas lights, The Crowbar does not cater to the trendy tourist crowd but it can get packed on theme nights and usually the only bright lights are on the stage. The Castle is Tampa’s only purely goth night spot. An awesome club for anyone over the age of eighteen, who desire a change of scenery. From vampire goths to people dressed as pixies you will be surprised at just what you are going to find. This two story club boasts 3 bars and plenty of space for dancing. What’s better is if you have to step outside for some fresh air there isn’t a re-entry fee. Great for meeting new people whether you’re local or just in town for the weekend and looking for like minded individuals. Be sure to check the themes and events for the nights you’re there. If you’re actually looking for that trendy “see and be scene atmosphere the place to go is Prana complete with a celebrity red carpet outside and plush red couches inside to lounge and socialize on when you’re not on the dance floor.Not Really one for clubbing but still in the mood for beer? The Tampa Bay Brewing Company will leave you pleasantly surprise the handcrafted beers and ales you’ll find there. Best of all, all of this is minutes away from any number of Tampa luxury hotels so you don’t have to worry about the time it takes to change out of day clothes and into something better fit for hitting the clubs.