The Midsummer Nights Swing provides the ideal relief for those who have an itch to dance the night away. Since its establishment 22 years ago, the Lincoln Centre New York demarcates 3 weeks annually, usually in the months of June or July for the event which brings together music lovers, dance lovers and fun lovers for a night of music and dancing under the stars.

Originally located at Josie Robertson’s Plaza, the event was shifted to Damrosch Park last year which has certainly widened up the horizon for more participants. The new location has a more accommodating floor plan, with wide, sprawling spaces and a spacious dance floor. Seating around the arena of sorts also affords a larger number of non dancing participants to sit back and enjoy.

Although titled a ‘swing’ the event includes a dance move for everyone. Jitter bugging, Shim-shaming, Lindy Hoping, and the more recent Tango, Salsa and namesake Swing all have a place during the three week span. Each night starts off at 6.30 pm with dance lessons in the varied forms of dance styles. Interested dancers in all stages even rookies are most welcome and professional trainers are on hand to help you out. Live music kicks in at 7.30 pm where participants then get to practice their new found skills and talents or else just shake a leg to the beat in any old style. The live music aspect sees many renowned as well as beginner bands and deejays take to the stage.

Vendors selling food and beverages inside the park premises ensure that the event can be a family event enjoyed by all. Tickets are usually priced between $15 – 17 and include the dance lessons and access to the main dance floor during the live music session. Of course being an open air event many people also opt to simply enjoy the music in their own way on the fringes.

If you’re travels take you through New York during this annual swing event then be sure to grab a seat to the party! If such travelers seek New York City Luxury hotels from which to base themselves then The Premier Hotel is in an ideal location and is one of the best four star hotels Manhattan offers.

Celebrating its 15th anniversary in 2011 the New York International Fringe Festival is undoubtedly one of the Big Apple’s most highly anticipated arts festivals of the year. Dubbed the largest event of its kind in North America FringeNYC is renowned for its diverse and multi-faceted repertoire that includes the active participation of over 200 arts, theatre and performance arts companies from across the globe. Taking place in 20 venues scattered across New York for 16 days this annual melee of artistic expression has become a highlight in the city’s cultural calendar with over 75,000 visitors from far and wide heading to the Big Apple to be a part of the festival.

Established in 1996 this one of a kind festival is the brainchild of John Clancy, Elena K. Holy, Aaron Beall and Jonathan Harris. Complete with every conceivable type of performance art matter such as stand-up comedies, musicals, plays, magic shows and even mimes the bulk of the festival’s headlining acts take the stage in 19 downtown theatres as well as locations spread out across the Lower East Side, Greenwich Village, the East Village and downtown Manhattan.

Divided in to sub-events namely FringeU( educational material), FringeAL FRESCO (free outdoor events) , FringeART (art shows), FringeJR ( events for children ), FringeHIGH (events for young adults) and FringeCLUB (after-show events for audiences and artists) the over 1200 performances at FringeNYC truly does include something for every spectrum of society.

The acts on show at the FringeNYC are selected by a jury unlike other Fringe festivals and nearly 200 shows are thereby selected to be performed at the festival while 20 out of these are then chosen for the FringeNYC Encore Series which takes place for 2 weeks in September.

Noteworthy shows that made its debut at FringeNYC include Debbie Does Dallas musical, the Broadway sensation Urinetown and The Black Rider while the Collective:Unconscious and Charlie Victor Romeo also won audiences over with their groundbreaking adaptations.

Those in search of elegant Manhattan 4 star hotels will be more than satisfied with The Premier Hotel. Just a stone’s throw away from Times Square and within minutes from over 21 Broadway theatres this stylish rest is also one of the most conveniently located New York City luxury hotels in Manhattan.

Affording such a range of activities the city is a holiday destination for people of all ages and all walks of life. And for those seeking some ‘clean’ fun, actually some of the ‘cleanest’ in the country, Scottsdale boasts a unique activity each summer which brings together locals as well as visitors to one big messy party.

Known as the Mighty Mud Mania this summer activity started as way back as the 1970’s as a promotional stunt for the Johnson’s Wax Company which was planning on promoting ‘Wax “Shout” Spray Pre-wash’. The event which was held at the Chaparral Park was quiet a hit and even though it was a one timer for the Johnson’s Company, the city decided it was too fun an event to be stopped at just one. The Parks and Recreational Division of the city decided to incorporate this rather ‘muddy’ event in to their summer recreation program. Since then the activity, which is now known as the Mighty Mud Mania has been held each year bringing heaps of fun and joy for kids as well as adults during the summer heat of Arizona.

The Mighty Mud Mania features various mud obstacles and the level of competition depends on the age group. The obstacles include the ‘Knee Bender’, a muddy experience through a huge tarpaulin, ‘Tube Trouble’, to slide through big tire tubes, and ‘Tube Dive’, a demanding slithering dive through to a deep mud pit. Ages seven to seventeen are accommodated in these obstacles and for kids below six there are special puddle pools so that they too can get involved in all the muddy madness. The clean up for all ages are at the Pit Fall where the fire department hoses down the excess sludge and slime.

Those visiting this particularly interesting Arizona city will be amazed at the Scottsdale hotel accommodation options available. All lodging options in the area feature modern amenities and facilities affording a pleasant stay. Hotels in this city are easily bookable through the Internet and for those particularly seeking hotels in Paradise Valley with exceptional accommodation standards the ideal would be the Millennium Resort Scottsdale McCormick Ranch.

The Scottsdale Symphony Orchestra based in the state Arizona is a source of pride for its city and state. The orchestra is usually seen performing at many important state events and also feature regularly in the local entertainment calendar. This orchestra is highly regarded for its ability to enthrall audiences and is regular favorites among music lovers in the state of Arizona. Many of the musicians playing for the Scottsdale orchestra have years of classical music training behind them and have played in some of the finest ensembles in the world.

An orchestra usually consists of four sections, namely string, woodwind, brass wind and percussion. Though smaller orchestras usually have about fifty performers, symphony or philharmonic orchestras are much larger and have around hundred musicians. Though there is a significant increase in the size of the orchestra this does not indicate any change in the composition of instruments. As with many other orchestras around the world, the Scottsdale orchestra also changes the number of musicians taking part depending on the musical work they perform.

In recent times the traditional instruments have been used in orchestral performances have changed and depending on the musical work and the discretion of the conductor instruments such as Spanish guitar, jazz Saxophone and the piano also appear in performances. The Saxophone is of particular importance to the Scottsdale Symphony Orchestra as it regularly performs jazz items, which are uniquely home grown American alternative to classical European styles.

The composition of the orchestra may also change depending on the musical period the work is taken from. Classical compositions demand strict regulation of the types of instruments while Romantic and Modern period compositions are more flexible in terms of instrumentation.

The Scottsdale Orchestra can be contacted for a schedule of their performances which are usually held in the various convention centres around the state of Arizona. Scottsdale AZ resorts such as the Millennium Resort Scottsdale McCormick Ranch offers excellent access to the entertainment districts in the region. Visitors staying at Resorts in Scottsdale Arizona would no doubt greatly appreciate an evening of classical music to accompany their comfortable stay.

Known as the “west’s most western town” the city of Scottsdale is located towards the east of Maricopa County in the state of Arizona. Regarded by the New York Times to be the desert version of Miami’s South Beach, Scottsdale has a thriving nightlife with trendy bars and restaurants.

Over the years it has successfully moulded itself into an upscale retreat for both local and international tourists hosting a vast array of trendy boutique stores and the latest abodes anywhere in the USA.

The city’s relatively small population size ensures that the metropolis is kept exclusive without the hustle and bustle of larger cities such as Los Angeles and New York.

Originally the home of the Pima Indians, the first European settlers to the area came in the 1800s and since then the city has rapidly progressed becoming a model for others like it. Scottsdale has always been a haven for free thinking and creative influence; it was the muse for renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright who built many of the city’s prominent landmarks and buildings. A monument was erected after his passing to commemorate his contributions to Scottsdale.

Of the many distinct attractions that dot the Scottsdale landscape none are more popular than the Phoenix Zoo. Opened in 1962, it is the largest non profit zoo in the United States and has been dedicated to the preservation of wildlife since its inception. The zoo’s groundbreaking project was the preservation of the rare Arabian Oryx and its successful reintroduction into the wild.

Despite initial difficulties in the 60’s the zoo has gone from strength to strength and now boasts over 1300 animals featuring four unique sections ranging from indigenous Arizona to the Tropical flora and fauna.

A popular event the zoo hosts during Christmas holiday season is the zoo lights. All the sections of the zoo are decked out in a colourful array of lights to represent the holiday season. Each of the light shows represents a theme relevant to the particular section of the park it is located in.

From savannah style light shows with subdued shades of orange and yellow to the chillier blue tones for arctic animals the light shows are a dazzling experience for the entire family and a great way to get into the holiday spirit. Do not forget to take in the musical lightshow featuring international music themes that are accompanied by dancing lights alternating according to the beats to give a truly mesmerising show.

Visitors looking for a quiet elegant Scottsdale hotel to reside in need look no further than the sublime Millennium Resort Scottsdale McCormick Ranch. With pristine views over the Camel Back Mountains it is the only lakeside Scottsdale resort in the city. Wake up to a pristine morning overlooking the calm water of the lake and explore old town Scottsdale.

Food stalls in the local market provide a variety of Thai food. Most of these local food are either fried or grilled. Served with coconut milk, these local recipes are so delicious that they make your mouth water just by seeing them.

Crispy and crunchy deep fried food with the right amount of salt and spices have a moist and tender taste as well. Whether you stay in a Chaweng Hotel or any other Koh Samui resort the local market is a must see.

A fact that sometimes gets lost between the allure of the beach and the call of the blue ocean, is that Maldives is a country that bears a rich heritage and has many strong traditions. Their culture shows the influence of neighbouring countries like India, Sri Lanka and even Arab and East African countries, but the end result is undeniably, uniquely Maldives. When visiting this delightful country, the name of which has come to be synonymous with the word ‘paradise’, it is a must to remember to soak up a little of its culture. It is definitely something that would enrich your trip.

Bodu Beru is the most popular style of music and dance in Maldives. Almost every inhabited island has a dedicated Bodu Beru troupe, so you can catch an act no matter where you stay in Maldives. The act is accompanied by percussion instruments. The drums are traditionally made of hollowed out coconut wood, and the skin of the drum is made up of goat hide or manta ray skin. The dances are energetic and by the end most of the onlookers join in. Thaara is another style, although it is more commonly seen at national events. A typical feature of Maldivian music, drums play a big role here as well. Dhandijehun, is an all male act, usually performed at celebrations while Bandiyaa Jehun, a popular dance performed by young women, includes singing.

Made up of many atolls, or coral islands, Maldives offers a mesmerising number of destinations to choose from. Veligandu (in the South Male atoll) being a popular choice, its beauty is absolutely enchanting, even by Maldivian standards. You can find all the usual activities that the island is renowned for. Come prepared for a vacation filled with exciting scuba diving, big game fishing, frenzied jet skiing and leisurely lies under the golden sun. And for a change of scenery, there are always opportunities to island hop.

Staying at a Maldives island resort is an experience you are bound to enjoy. Places like the Anantara Veli, Maldives at Veligandu, offer guests luxurious accommodation in Maldives bungalows, backed with world class facilities. The hospitality starts the minute you land, with the hotel arranging for you to transfer from the airport to the hotel. Even the simplest things like that, and a terrific spa, that ensures your vacation will be carefree and memorable.