Posts Tagged ‘festivals’

Managers in Planning: Food Fests

by Ian Kleine

In planning for a foodie festival, the usual steps in taking a course of action for the planned event should be the same with everything else: a step by step procedure. not to mention that there should be a leader of some sort in order for the whole event to pass off without a hitch or a hassle.

Employ a general manager to over see everything regarding the festival. Involvements, finances, problems and solutions should all be known by the manager and should be seen and intervened. The manager, manages all the elements of the festival, so no detail must be left behind, or anything else mustn’t surprise him.

The manager should make sure to identify and know the demographics and the target market he or she is planning to take up. Will it be mostly men or women? Younger or older by age? The manager should also make sure to check first, whether the community wants a festival or not. Talk about scandal if the money will be used for something the town wouldn’t agree on.

The manager should secure the venue, do the necessary paper works and guarantee it before anything else. After the approval of the event, he is tasked to do his job of securing everything for the workers to start doing their thing. Programming is also a priority for the manager, as the list of line ups should be satisfying for the large demographic the festival may not cater to.

Budget management should not only limit themselves to handling the funding already present in the community box, but also on the auctions, bids, and income that goes in with the festival. Large companies would usually bid for commercial space or some tables or booths. Other small enterprises in the area would also do the same for publicity. Take advantage of this and manage your cards well.

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Lego Art Show at Fargo, North Dakota

by Mara Hernandez-Capili

Can you still recall the time when playing with your most favorite toys would make your day complete? When I was a child, I was able to retain my fondness in playing with my Barbie dolls and Dress up Games dolls. It is indeed a joyous feeling to be able to go back and reminisce the days that passed, when we were still kids and masters of our own worlds.

If you are the same as me who thrives on the nostalgic feeling that accompanies when I reminisce the bygone days, then maybe you’ll have a fun time visiting the Lego Art Show in Fargo, North Dakota. The Lego Art Show is a gathering that features all of the bestseller and most famous Lego toys ever produced. I remember playing with Lego as a kid; it brought me immense fun and happiness. My brother who is a Lego fanatic used to collect Lego toys and build a huge empire or castleland right at our living room.

The Lego Art Show is a nice place of choice for us Lego enthusiasts and aficionados to gather and experience the “Lego magic” that we kept even through our adult life. At the event we can see Lego train sets, villages crafted from Lego, and even the most celebrated Lego Bible Chapters by a very talented artist. His works can be seen all over the internet, reenacting famous chapters in the Bible using Lego toys.

Lego is a lot of fun. Now that I’m a mother of a beautiful baby princess, I’m thinking of showering her with educational and mind building toys, for which Lego is one.

As a mother, I see Lego as a tool to help our children on her brain development. If you want your kid to be smart, practical and improve her thinking skills, I know Lego will be a big contribution. So come with your kids, andgo to the Lego Art Show!

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Treat Your Taste Buds at the Art of Food and Wine Palm Exhibit

by Rick Amorey

The Art of Food and Wine Palm Desert is currently going into its fourth year. It is a fair that is held in Southern California’s Coachella Valley. This year, the said event will happen from the fifth to the eight of November. Increase your culinary skills with the spectacular chef demonstrations and seminars, while celebrating and letting your tongue taste the various featured foods and wine. Of course, there are also the craft shows, the art exhibits and music!

I fondly recall last year’s event, and it was pretty great! The show featured some new events that I hope will be on the lineup for this year, too. One of the said events was called “Food Flight!? a friendly contest that paired local chefs and bartenders with celebrity chefs and master sommeliers. They came up with a lot of really great foods and drinks that were served in tandem, and I envy those who got to taste the delicacies.

“Sweet Dreams” is a nightcap event that featured sweet desserts, wines, champagne and other after-drinks by the poolside. Held in the Desert Springs JW Marriott Resort and Spa, the whole ambience made you want to lay back and relax. All desserts and drinks were filling without being heavy, which is really what you’d want after a nice dinner.

And, of course, the Art of Food and Wine is incomplete without it’s coup de grace. The Grand Tasting featured elite vintners and celebrity chefs; all who guaranteed to amaze guests with a sophisticated array of recipes and demonstrations of cooking skills. Attendees of the event will be treated to all the samples they can taste for absolutely free during the event.

This year promises to be just as good as the last, and going over would be a good way to reward your taste buds. And if you ever want to take a quick break from all the tasting, then you could of course visit the arts and crafts show; here you will find pieces that are inspired by the amazing sensation of good dining.

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Lamps and Sakura: The Nisei Festival

by Ian Kleine

Nisei, in Nihonggo, means ‘second generation’ (‘ni’ meaning two, and ‘sei’ probably meaning generation). This month-long festival is held usually in August, with the main attractions heralding the first two weekends of the fest. Nisei Week draws the attention and the support of both Japanese and non-Japanese festival goers, due to its grand floats and parades, and the month long activities that soon follow. This 2009, the festival will be celebrating its 69th year.

The festival grounds of the Nisei festival is tremendous. Following the original structure of the Japanese matsuri (or festival), the streets are lined with booths that are filled with food, games, prizes and others. There was once a free-admission carnival and art show, but they were removed, and/or changed. Up 2006, an eating contest consisting of Japanese pot stickers or “gyoza” was added. The attraction was tremendous. Contestants each ate as much as nearing 200 or so.

The Tofu festival of Los Angeles was added. The festival was once a self-standing fest of sorts, but after the greater success of the tofu festival (beer was a factor that helped); it was now a festival that was held after the Nisei month.

They also have the Nikkei games, an open competition for everyone with running, martial arts and exhibitions. The Little Tokyo Anime Festival, another crowd bringer that spawns a massive amount of audience, most usually fans of Japanese animation (Girugamesh, anyone?). Cosplays and booths were comics are sold are usually rampant.

Ondo dancing, were people dance to the tune of a singer (sometimes lyrics being read off a magazine!) happen too. The choreographer has the dancers carry chochin lanterns as they will the night away, dancing in the streets. The audience can dance too, with little supervision as the dance is often times just easy to follow and easy for the bones. (Really!)

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Square Dancing at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

by Mara Hernandez-Capili

Western movies like Sweet Home Alabama features Square Dancing as a form of merriment and fun gathering. In here partners are seen dancing in a Swing-like way in an upbeat tune. Square Dancing has long been one of the traditonal dances of the United States. It is often called as the Modern Western Dance. It involves dancing with a partner. Although considered as a folk dance, square dancing is still recognized as a cultural and historical dance especially among the youth of today.

Events such as Bike Week which is intended solely for bikers are happening. Just like the Square Dancing activity, the Myrtle Beach Bike Week is a weekly event that features biking aficionados. Myrtle Beach is the home where fun gatherings and exciting stuffs are happening. It is an event where biking enthusiasts gather together for a day full of bonding and biking activities.

Generally there are two types of Square Dance, the Traditional Square Dance or the “old time square dance” and the Modern Western Dance.

Dancing is not just a form of recreation but an exercise as well. Bollywood and Aerobics are fitness regimens that uses the forms of dancing. Nowadays people would want to get in shpae while having fun. Being fit and having fun while doing it is the best way to take care of one’s body and one’s spirit. Whenever I’m in the gym I always see to it to look at the dancing and aerobics classes so I can have fun while getting in shape.

In square dancing you will need a partner so grab your favorite mate and dance the night away at Myrtle Beach! Kick off your favorite dance feet and wear your dancing shoes to have that oh-so-great overall feeling. Invite a friend or two at the Myrtle Beach and dance the night away!

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A Great Outdoor Experience

by Mara Hernandez-Capili

Dolly Parton is the person behind Dollywood Park. Dollywood Park is a different theme Park, it does not only provide breath taking rides, it also holds lots of different annual festivities. Families can find the best adventure at Dollywood Park. Dollywood Park extends to 130 acres of land. The Park offers great deals for the whole family.

Dollywood is a home for four of the largest South Festivals. One of these is The National Kids Fest. Here Children are given priorities.Dollywood offers a lot of fun for kids in all ages. The festival will be hosted by Kratt Brothers, Kratt Brothers is famously known for their world wide animal adventures.

Kids Fest is a wild animal adventure having the Kratt Brothers to share their adventures and experience regarding animals locally and abroad. Kratt Brothers will share and introduce many animals and have the kids pet them. Kratt Brothers are the popular cast of Zoboomafoo TV show. The event allows kids get up close with small creatures, reptiles and many other kid friendly animals. This way, kids will get to share and differentiate one species from another. Kids’ fest in Dollywood Park truly is a great place for animal adventure.

Aside from the Kratt Brothers, be on the look for other kids’ fest roving characters. Roving characters are present to entertain guest throughout the park. They are instructed to bring smile to everyone present at the festival. Kids Fest also caters arts and crafts to kids of all ages.

Lastly, Dollywood kids’ fest displays Sandscapes. Sandscapes are sculptures made out of plain sands.Dollywoods sandscapes is a 12-time World Sand Sculpture Champion. Sculptures are mostly themed after trains and animals. Sandscapes uses 75 tons of sands making it a must see inside the park. Displays of sandscape will only be available during kids’ fest, and kids could enjoy watching sculptors as they build new amazing pieces.

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Money Crafting

by Ian Kleine

Ever wondered what makes a person successful in business? It’s not about having a good market, or having a good niche, or having a good amount of clients (although that would help quite a lot).

It is about having a good relationship with your work. Yes, your relationship with your business. After all, how would one succeed with something you would disagree with? To make good with business, you must like your business; and I’d daresay, you must enjoy and make your business a part of your life.

If you have a hobby of crafting, then why not venture out in to the business world armed with your doohickeys and crockery? In these days, it is not strange for small business enterprises to brave the outdoors and come back big or even bigger than before. It is in the matter of the entrepreneur’s initiative, motivation and creativity to bevel competition and use it as an inclination to push one’s business up the ladder of today’s society.

If you want to make money out of your hobby, it is wise that you INVEST first in your craft. With technique and equipment comes efficiency and reliability, and with efficiency and reliability comes a strong market base and profit.

The rule of business is to make one coin higher than what you had spent. Using your hobby as a foundation of your business is a most-agreed upon idea even ages before. But of course, one has to consider the market and the environment too. It is not impossible that you only have one craft or hobby. Think about what your community wants, and from there, exploit that need. If your place is a naturally cold place, wouldn’t scarves be a profitable venture? Hot as the desert sun? A refreshment stand is sure to be a hit.

Festivals are good places to let your community know, that another entrepreneur has entered the market.

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Cheese La Vie`

by Ian Kleine

The world of cheese has well over six hundred different known types today, all of them mostly produced by Wisconsin cheese artisans, makers and researchers. Cheeses can be classified according to shape, body, technique used, and sometimes, appearance. Taste is what also separates one cheese from the other.

Firstly, there is blue cheese. Blue cheese is achieved by veining in specially bred green or blue molds inside the cheese to permeate the insides with a stately flavor, most often described as ‘piquant’. Hard cheese is what can be named for classes such as Parmesan cheese, Romano, and the scalletic Asiago. Well-aged and thick like a brick, its resilient flavor is best used to impart cheesiness on most dishes; from sauces, to snacks and salad. A popular cheese most kids would be familiar to is Pasta Filata, that easily melts when heated thoroughly. This effect is achieved because the whey is stretched thoroughly before it is cast in mold and shaped. Common cheeses in this category are String cheese, Mozzarella and Provolone.

Processed cheese is the next category, a mixture of both freshly made cheese and naturally-aged ripe cheese. It is cooked, processed and mixed evenly with a special salt, afterwhich no more ripening and aging is required (that part was taken care of by the aged cheese in the mixture). Semi-hard cheese is akin to hard cheeses, but their undeniable softness and body makes them not only limited to as food ingredients (like that of hard cheese) but also as a condiment, a food complement, and a snack in itself. The cheese still retains a good kick though, most popular are Cheddar cheese and Edam. Semi-soft cheese is like soft cheese, but they still have shape and body, partly because they are made of whole milk. Monterey Jack and Brick cheese fill this category.

Soft cheese and fresh cheese are those that need a container, as they lack body but certainly not in volume. High moisture content, these cheeses are usually eaten right after they are purchased. Cottage, cream and feta take this category. The last one is the soft-ripened cheese, rated for body and flavor. Delicate and tender, Brie and Camembert fit this category.

Lots of cheeses still appear categories within these main categories. But they certainly offer a kaleidoscope view on the wonderful world of cheese.

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Craft Show at the Oregon Convention

by Rick Amorey

This is what the collection of craft shows at the Oregon convention is: Different groups, including some guilds, assemble crafts of all shapes and sizes. Here you’ll see pottery of all sorts, handcrafted jewelry, woven fabrics, glass-blown art, woodworks, and a whole slew of other things that are eluding me for the moment.

We weren’t alone in thinking that being a vendor here may be less than productive. Lots of people thought so as well; but everywhere you looked, transactions seemed to be going on. The craftspeople I happened to talk to all said that they expected this year’s showcase to be way down because of the economic recession. But on that fateful Saturday, they were doing business that was equal to last year. Needless to say, they were pretty happy.

I am not exactly an avid shopper, so wandering around the booths under normal circumstances should not be attractive at all to me. That’s why it’s interesting to note that I’ve been a regular of this event for about a decade now. Why? It seems that it has something to do with the growing appreciation for the crafts themselves; something about the chain of the basic material to the talented hands that shape them appeals to me.

Various rooms of beautiful crafts both simple and complex engage the eye. I find myself tending towards certain items – bowls, glass platters, a pair of earrings for Mother’s Day – all of them weigh in my mind. The balance of the material with the creativity of the craftsperson astounds me. And of course, I wonder how such items will be useful at home as well.

Another reason why I so like attending these events is the fact that the prices are agreeable. A lot of them seem really cheap than what you’d find in established stores. As I’ve said, I’m not a shopaholic, so I would probably not be the best judge for such things. But even then, I like how I spend my money for this.

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Gardening as Business 2

by Ian Kleine

If you’ve taken my advice in finding a seminar for you to attend to, you’d be enlightened as to find out what you truly want to raise in that little garden of yours. Going into a seminar would also attract people who would be willing to help you start on your little journey into the green world. A mentor, as they call it, would be most helpful to a garden newbie.

You need to have your preparations. You need the space to raise a garden. Now I’m not saying you have to go buy an empty farm in the suburbs and spend your weekends there to raise it. Seriously, that notion is Neanderthal. Anyone with at least a square meter of space, access to sunshine and water and decent ventilation, can take up a garden.

Protect the area with a heavy net to keep birds and potential plant predators away. Usually this space would be found on apartment balconies, rooftops, or near patios. The net would also simulate an environment close to that of the hothouse, so keep it there.

Use pots and plastic bags to grow certain plants. Some succulents, like tomatoes, bell pepper and herbs grow best when potted. Keeping them close would also raise the humidity between them (as plants transpire water during their time of the day too). If you’re aiming to grow a bush or a small tree, locate the pot into a safe spot where it is heavily supported, and where no strong wind can cause the base to fall over or break.

It is also important that the ground wherein the pots are situated have good irrigation. Water overflow might collect in the base, where it would cause the pot or plastic to rot, thus weakening your base and support.

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