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One of the easiest ways for children, or adults for that matter, to learn something is to put the subject into a musical context. It’s easy to demonstrate this, as you can try it yourself while reading. Simply put the phrase ‘I’ll know tomorrow what I learn today’ into a melody and sing it to your child. Sing it with him or her a few times and tomorrow find out how quickly they remember it. In fact, you will also remember it more clearly and in turn you will remember this blog entry as well as the information it contains.

Most of the great television shows for children put some or even all of their lessons into songs for kids . Even television commercials will create a jingle out of the company’s name and telephone number, which in turn will encourage more viewers to remember them, and how to contact them, over their competitors.

A lot of the music in children’s shows is structured similarly to jingles. This is particularly true if the song or melody is about a specific topic or lesson to learn. And anything can be put into the context of a song. Math problems, the basics of addition, subtraction and even equations, as well as history and social studies can all be incorporated into songs which will guarantee a higher percentage of retention. And if you’re having trouble believing this, it makes sense. After all, “I’m just a bill, sitting here on Capitol Hill” . What do I know?

It might take the mind of an artist to point out the moments when nature makes better art than people, but the lessons of the artist can be learned by others. Anyone can be an artist in their own home with a few lessons on some of the basic principles of design. One can take some time to make great changes in their favorite room, or slight modifications that are visible the next day. Blinds have a way of transforming a room in a way that’s rather simple, yet spectacular.

Werner Herzog , the famous German filmmaker, had one particular time of day that he loved the best. He called it the Magic Hour , the moment right before dusk turned into night. He saw that the unusual qualities of light at this time, in some particular places, had an erie and enchanting effect. In film, it became one of the most enigmatic moments in contemporary cinema.

With new window treatments from resources like Next Day Blinds , one can open up the possibility for this stunning display of light in one’s own home. There are a wide variety of looks that new blinds will afford, an limitless possibilities, but they’re also the perfect thing to bring this spectral time of day right into the home.

Who says New York is the only place you can find free summer Shakespeare productions? Well, whoever it is that says it, they’re wrong. The Seattle Shakespeare Company is just one of various other theatres that presents free Shakespeare in the park performances during the summer. The Wooden O performances are one this professional company’s gifts to the community and attendance is free for everyone and there are no reservations or previous ticket acquiring structures necessary. These open air lawn performances are great opportunities to bring a picnic meal and enjoy a great performance. And they are a favorite for the guests in one of the Seattle boutique hotels

This summer the productions began on July 8 and will run through August 1. Much Ado About Nothing and Othello are on the line up and present a diverse offering of play structure, plot development and entertainment intentions. Much Ado is directed by Sheila Daniels and Othello is directed by Vanessa Miller. Both productions promise to be exciting quality summer entertainment options and should thrill and delight audience members. The company suggests arriving at the lawn at least twenty minutes before the performance is scheduled to begin to ensure you have a great place to sit. Also, if you bring food, please be sure to pick up and remove your refuse when you leave the park.

One of the most significant art collections ever put together by father and son may be found in Baltimore, Maryland. In the Walters Art Museum , there are over 28,000 objects of art which represent 55 centuries of creativity. It didn’t happen overnight, though; in fact, from the year the first exhibits opened to the public in 1874 until now, there have been about 49,640 nights, or 136 years. William Thompson Walters, originally native to Liverpool, Pennsylvania, came to Baltimore in 1841. He was a grain merchant with a wholesale liquor house who began collecting art, first locally, then expanding to European art and sculpture. He purchased Jean-Leon Gerome’s The Duel after the Masquerade , and commissioned works from Honore Daumier as well as Antoine-Louis Barye and Gerome, while living in Paris during the Civil War.

Upon Walter’s return to the United States, he left the liquor business and went into railroads and banking, all the while expanding upon his art collection, mainly in the fields of European paintings and Asian art. By this time, his son was in his late 20s, and began making trips for his father, attending exhibitions for the senior Walter, inheriting the collection upon his father’s death in 1894. The son kept adding to the collection until his own death in 1931, when he gave all the art to the city of Baltimore, with the idea that it would be used for the public’s benefit.

Today, the Walters Art Museum is internationally known for its art, providing a view of the creative culture of the world from the pre-dynastic Egyptian era to 20th Century Europe. You’ll be able to take a look at everything from Greek sculpture, medieval ivories and paintings by Old Masters. There’s Art Deco jewelry and masterpieces from 19th Century America and Europe. If you’re stopping in Baltimore, best hotels may easily be found, but there’s only one museum where you can see 5,500 years of art all in one place. The museum is open from Wednesday through Sunday from ten in the morning to five in the afternoon, at 600 N. Charles Street in the historic cultural district of Mount Vernon.

New York is the home to many forms of theatre, from the Broadway musicals, to the off Broadway dramas, to the new and innovative, sometimes experimental productions of off-off Broadway.  One company took what was at the time and abandoned school building and turned it into one of the most esteemed art and theatre institutions; Performance Space 122 has become a world leader in the world of alternative and experimental theatre, and has become home to some of the most talented, up and coming artists of today’s generation.

Just as corporate companies such as hotel chains, are challenged by the innovative and artistic concept of boutique hotels, New York traditional forms of art are being challenged by the work that is pushing the boundaries in the worlds of music, theatre, dance and performance art.  Known as PS 122, the name reflects the previous inhabitants of the building, Public School 122.  The school was abandoned in the 1970′s, and many visual artists began renting out the classrooms for painting studios.

Abandoned public schools have long been the perfect place for artist studios, and for rehearsal spaces for dance and theatre companies.  What happened at PS 122 however, went beyond the simple rehearsal spaces, and in 1980 opened to the public a series of presentations, which illustrated the work of those who had been involved with the school for years.  It was a multidisciplinary show, that evolved into classes and workshops being offered by the artists in residence.

In 1986, the old gym was converted into a performance space that other companies were renting out in order to put up longer running shows.  The mission of PS 122 is to seek out new talent, and to support and nurture new artists in all fields, those who are defying traditional conventions and pushing the bounds of performance art.  The history of the evolution of this institution is illustrated in the 2000 film, “Homecoming”, and provides a wonderful look into the lives of the artist who have made this innovative space in New York come to life.

Fort Lauderdale has much to offer in the ways of fun and good times in the sun, on the beach and in the water.  However should you need a bit of time away from the sun and the sand there are three museums in the city that are well worth a visit.  As mentioned in the travel pamphlets provided by the staff of most of the luxury hotels on the beaches of Fort Lauderale is rich with history, art and science.  The African American Cultural Center celebrates and offers the public, a look into the lives of the residents of African heritage.  The library located at the center draws researchers from around the world, as their collection of books numbers close to 80′,000.  Many rare or out of print books are to be found in the library as well as an extensive collection of African American writers and the museum contains a rich collection of paintings and sculptures.

The Fort Lauderdale Museum of Art is also filled with works of art, on canvas or in stone and bronze, with as well, a vast collection of locally produced textiles and craft-work.  There is a wide variety of famous works housed in the museum, and the touring exhibits change frequently.  This is one of the museums you will wish to set aside the entire day for, as there is much to see, and much to photograph.

As with the previous two museums, the Museum of Discovery and Science (http://www.mods.org/) offers fun for the entire family, in fact it is one of the best attractions for children in the city.  There are more than two hundred interactive displays and exhibits.  There is even a small section of the museum which houses and cares for alligators, snakes and bats.  There is a large nature trail filled with the fauna and the flora of the region, as well as the different levels of the Everglade forest.  And, as with the bringing of the animals and reptiles inside, the museum houses a shark exhibit, which contains along with the sharks, the largest coral reef to be in captivity.  From land to sea to the sky, the space exhibit will top off your trip.  These are great places to escape the heat of a humid day, and great places to learn while having fun.

The perfect setting for a luxury hotel, Dubai has many splendid things to offer the discerning traveler.  It’s had an amazing boom in the past decade, and has become a rather magnetic attraction for celebrities from all around the world.  The parties on the beach and in the clubs are truly fantastic, and Dubai does have a magnificent night life, but there are many sides to Dubai.  There are plenty of attractions that will appeal to guests of all ages, with city tours and shopping malls and much much more.  There is also an absolutely thriving art gallery scene, and the music scene here is also getting to be a world-class cultural phenomenon.  There are always art festivals and fairs, or splendid choices for seeing live music, along with all the other attractions that make Dubai a perfect destination for your wanderlust.

Our hotels are carefully selected to offer you the best in style and hospitality, and you’ll love the splendor our accommodations offer.  There are hosts of amenities to keep you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated, as well as offering most any convenience you might need to make your stay here fruitful.  After a rest in the sumptuous rooms, you can enjoy a fantastic meal, prepared by world-class chefs, before setting off on your new adventures.  If you happen to be in town during Art Dubai, you may have the opportunity to see the work of Emily Smith.

She’s one of hundreds of artists who present new work here during this fantastic exhibition, and offers a taste of what’s happening in the galleries all year round.  There’s no bad time to visit Dubai if you’re looking at art, because there’s always something exciting happening.  Emily Smith is one of the international names presenting new work in an exciting and edgy atmosphere.  This U.K.-based artist, who works with the SVA group, deals with memory and objects, and uses Derridian theories of poststructural meaning to investigate how we make meaning with things.  Her particular blending of sculpture and projection play with perception in an enticing way, one tha haunts the memory of the spectator long after the gallery lights have dimmed.

We hit Goa by storm for New Years. We couldn’t think of a more beautiful place to celebrate bringing in the New Year. Goa is most definitely a resort type of spot. All the entertainment was very comical and fun. I was really amused at all the tourist I past by with beet-red sun burns. Some 40 of my closest relatives and I all arranged to stay at the same Goa India hotel, we pretty much took over the place. The hotel restaurant where we booked our celebration basically almost felt like a private party.

The New Year celebration was so overwhelming. The music was so very loud and the performances by the pool, made it almost impossible to get around. There were tons of people! Lot’s of dancing, lots of songs sung by some famous southern Indian people who performed international hits. I did enjoy the Bhangra dancers. Bhangra is a Punjabi traditional dance, and they dance to very loud rhythmic drums. Very strenuous and difficult, because there’s a lot of jumping around and a lot of squatting and moving shoulder with the beat. It’s a very cool dance to watch, but not participate in, even though many tried. Now that was funny.

The night ended due to a fight at the beach-side bar. I’m not sure what happened, but I think some English dudes wanted to start something with my very drunk cousins. Unfortunately, the English dudes succeeded. A lot a drama ensured, a few bloody faces and then we went to bed.

The next day, I awoke and slipped away with Shelby and my Dad for a tour of Goa. Goa has tons of churches, we found the reason why is because Goa was founded by the Portuguese who left their mark of Catholicism. The Portuguese went on a rampage to destroy the temples already built by the Hindus, but the Hindus managed to save some of the temples from destruction. I found it ironic that the Hindus were here first, building up temples, then the Portuguese came in a built up their churches and in today’s world, Goa is considered one of the best party places in the world.

When you’ve decided to stay in Hong Kong, hotel accommodations become central to all your experiences here.  You deserve the best, and our hotels are carefully selected for their excellence in service, comfort, and design.  Our guests will experience an unusually lovely sense of relaxation, offering the kind of luxury necessary to prepare you for your new adventures in Hong Kong.  With a splendid combination of both innovation and tradition, we provide the most contemporary amenities with the best of old world hospitality and graciousness.  While you’re staying in Hong Kong, the time will be much more pleasant knowing you have a beautiful hotel to return to at the end of every day.

Hong Kong is a place of wonders, with an extremely rich mix of cultures.  There are plenty of attractions here that will surely please every member of the family.  With a host of exciting tours, sight-seeing, shopping, and cultural events, it is one of the most fascinating places on the planet.  It has attracted some of the best minds in Asia, and the creative human influences here are obvious.  One of the great examples of this display of intelligence and creativity was the Microwave International New Media Arts Festival held in 2008 in Hong Kong.

This festival had extremely lofty aims, bringing art and technology together in a way that could only be found in Hong Kong.  With a splendid array of artists and technicians participating, the festival showcased some of the most exciting works of new art in the world.  The Microwave International New Media Arts Festival also held symposium to discuss the most recent and relevant issues concerning the relationship between technology and culture in the daily life of the world’s citizens.  The majority of the events here were free, in order to include the locals and visitors in these important dialogues, and to show some of the coolest art around.  Robots and computers are always hot topics these days, and this was an opportunity to discuss the machines in the flesh.

Taking the tour of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea seemed like the lamest idea my parents could have ever come up with. Especially, when we stepped out side of one of the Chelsea Hotels we were greeted by rain. But, my parents wouldn’t let me just go back inside and go up to our hotel room where it’s nice, warm and dry. I did my best to act all bratty and pouty but none of it got me out of the tour.

During the soggy tour we were informed that the Royal Borough is situated in West London and is surrounded by the City of Westminster to the east, by the London boroughs of Hammershith and Fulham to the west and by the London borough of Brent to the north. I can’t tell you just how bored I was, and not waiting on the edge of my seat to hear who surrounded the Royal Borough to the south, and I didn’t really care. My parents were taking notes! Please.

My ears did prick up when they mentioned that The Borough is internationally recognised as a shopping destination. It also is a host to world renown arts, parks and outdoor spaces. Shopping, shopping, shopping. I looked over at my parents with a face saying ‘let’s shop’!  They acted like I did about this tour, like they couldn’t care less about the shopping. My interest waned again as the tour droned on about how the Borough is a Borough of extremes with some of the wealthiest neighbourhoods in all of England as well as some of the most deprived. North Kensington and parts of Earl’s Court has a high rate of low income people, high unemployment and poor health.

Just over 22 percent of the residents belong to the black and the minority groups. Once again, my ears pricked up, sounds like good food, good night clubs and cute boys. Sounds like a place where the upper class young will go to get away from all the stuffy ways to just hang and chillout with the cool people. I again, looked over at my parents with a look of ‘let’s check out the poor areas’, they again gave me a look that their not interested. Why am I on this tour?