Blues BBQ Festival in New York on August 21st!
Next Sunday holds the Blues BBQ Festival at Hudson River Park. This free day of music and food starts at 2:00 pm and continues until 9:00 pm. Some of America’s best blues bands will be performing throughout the day, including Marquise Knox, Walter Trout, and Bonerama. Not only will there be great music, but New York City BBQ restaurants like Brother Jimmy’s BBQ and Dinosaur Bar B Que will have plenty of food for you to pig out on. You don’t want to miss this incredible day of fun, so check out our New York hotels and book your stay for next weekend. Come early and experience these tours that also bring you delicious food and wonderful music!
A Slice of Brooklyn Pizza Tour is a fabulous tour that will satisfy the pizza lover and history buffs alike. This four and a half hour tour takes visitors through the streets of Brooklyn to visit all of the best pizzerias in the area. The price includes pizza and soft drinks as well as a historic tour through the streets of Brooklyn that showcases famous movie spots, landmarks and special points of interest. All these sights and many more will be yours to see, all while enjoying the best pizza to be found and enjoying a historical account in Brooklyn.
When you take the West Village Pub Crawl on your trip to the Big Apple, you will be in for an exciting night of great drinks and nightlife in one of the city’s most popular areas. It is in this part of the city that you will explore various pubs on a three and a half hour walking tour as you visit the bars of the beat generation. You will be treated to a complimentary cocktail at each of the three pubs during this tour and have plenty of time to order additional drinks on your own. The West Village Pub Crawl is a great way to experience satisfying drinks and an even better atmosphere on your trip to the Big Apple.
Experience the culture and rich history of this region first hand and see why Harlem is famous for its “real” jazz and authentic soul food with the Harlem Soul Food and Jazz Experience. Start out with dinner at a local diner that features Harlem favorites like spicy ribs, fried fish and chicken, collard greens, and mac ‘n’ cheese. Head over to a local jazz club to hear real Harlem jazz in this five-hour tour of one of the most historically rich neighborhoods in America.
2010 Blues Music Awards in Memphis, TN
Memphis, TN is known as the home of the blues, so it’s not surprising that they are hosting the biggest blues event of the year. The 2010 Blues Music Awards play a huge part in the blues industry, and you can go to Memphis and be a part of it all. Artists, fans, and industry leaders gather for this award in anticipation of seeing special talents recognized, so you get the chance to see some of the biggest names in the blues industry. This is an event you won’t want to miss!
While you’re in the city to celebrate blues music, visit the Blues City Cafe. The cafe is located on historic Beale Street where blues musicians gather to play and dance together. This cafe offers great dining in that uniquely Memphis setting. A delicious meal in the heart of Beale Street is the perfect way to honor blues music in your own special way while you’re visiting Memphis.
Memphis is also where rock ‘n’ roll began, so take the time to recognize its special place in the culture and history of Memphis. Visit the home of the King of Rock ‘N’ Roll with Elvis Presley’s Graceland Platinum Experience. See Elvis’ mansion, two museums devoted to Elvis, and his private jets. As the king of rock ‘n’ roll, Elvis lived in a style that was all his own, and you will love your exploration of it.
2 Parades and One Chicago, IL for an Action Packed St. Patrick’s Day
If you’re looking for excitement and true Irish celebration this St. Patrick’s Day, look no farther than Chicago, Illinois. Chicago has not one, but two incredible St. Patrick’s Day parades. Complete with the traditional bagpipes, kilts, and drinks, both the South Side Irish St. Patrick’s Day parade and the St. Patrick’s Day Parade are noteworthy events in Chicago. The Chicago River is even turned green for the celebration. Take part in the party of the year with the Chicago Irish community and those who celebrate with them.
While you’re in Chicago taking in the Irish culture, don’t forget to visit some of the noteworthy museums and other attractions Chicago has to offer. Check out the CityPass for admission to three of the most remarkable museums in Chicago as well as the Shedd Aquarium and Alder Planetarium. The CityPass offers great value and even has VIP entry and fast pass privileges with two of the locations.
After a day full of learning and studying the exhibits, cut loose and see the nightlife of Chicago. Listen to the blues Chicago is so well-known for and see the clubs in the Chicago Club Crawl. With this pass there is no coverage charge, and you will be given a drink at each location. Transportation is also included so you can relax and not worry about driving afterwards. Also check out the Chicago Night Life Pass which gives you access to several clubs and allows you to skip the long waiting lines.
Enjoy Nashville Culture and History at Upcoming Festivals
August 13, 2009 by admin
Filed under Nashville TN, VME
Nashville, TN has several upcoming festivals and events coming up that will provide visitors to the city a great time and a taste of the culture and history that has made Nashville the entertaining city it is today.
Music City Jazz, Blues, and Heritage Festival
This annual Labor Day festival will be taking place Sept. 5 and 6. The festival takes place in Nashville’s scenic Riverfront Park on the Cumberland River. The headline performers for this event are Boney James, who is set to appear on Sunday evening. Other performers include Phil Perry, Kevin Edmonds, Jackiem Joyner, ZAPP, Guitarzz, and Steve Roper. Tickets for this year’s event are $10 for one day or $15 for the weekend.
Feel like going Greek? This annual Nashville festival gives you the opportunity on Sept. 11-13. This festival is hosted by the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church. This is the 22nd year of this festival. The festival features authentic Greek food, dancing, and entertainment. Overall, it is just a fun celebration of the Greek culture and the Greek community in Nashville. The festival begins at 10 a.m. and goes until 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Sunday’s hours are 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. A tour of the church is included in admission.
In addition to these great festivals, Nashville has entertaining attractions available year round. Whether enjoying an evening cruise on the General Jackson or interacting with wildlife at the Nashville Zoo, there is always something to see in Nashville!
Get a Full Taste of the Blues through Memphis’ Dining and Historic Sites
In addition to stunning sightseeing cruises and Elvis-themed sites, Memphis is known for its contributions to the heritage of the Southern United States. Much of this southern identity can be traced through the years of blues music performed in and around the city. On your next visit to Memphis, get a full taste of the Music City blues through the city’s variety of blues-themed attractions and historic sites.
Though first heard in the early 1900s, it wasn’t until the 1930s or 1940s that blues music became a more recognized genre. Artists like Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, and Elmore James perfected the genre with a series of top hits on into the 1950s. One only needs to walk down historic Beale Street in Memphis to be reminded of blues with street performers and night clubs. One such night club is B.B. King’s Blues Club. You can enjoy a breakfast, lunch, or dinner at this historic club, but the real fun takes place after the sun goes down. The club features live performances from local and national talents alike, including the occasional performance from B.B. King himself. Ribs, burgers, catfish, and other favorites in southern cuisine make up a full list of menu items.
Right across the street from B.B. Kings Blues Club is the Blues City Cafe, where the late Chef Bonnie Mack is remembered. The restaurant features mouth-watering ribs, steak, chicken, catfist, and more. The food alone is enough to draw a crowd, but the evening entertainment also keep guests coming back for more. The Band Box is a section within the restaurant where entertainers perform. The Free World, a local band, provides many of the sounds you can expect to hear during any given evening.
The Civil Rights Movement marked a time of African American opression and struggle, a major theme found within blues music. Perhaps no greater museum exists to help remember that struggle than the National Civil Rights Museum. With exhibits of the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the March on Washington, and the Assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., among others, you’re sure to get an in depth look at some of the powerful moments in years past that have perhaps helped continue to spawn the complexities and emotions that make up blues music. The National Civil Rights Museum serves as a reminder and memorial to those very moments.
History Comes to Life in Memphis, TN
History comes to life in Memphis, Tennessee. If you are looking to take a vacation and get in touch with the past, there is no better place to visit than Memphis. With a historic walking tour, the National Civil Rights Museum and the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, you can explore the country’s cultural and social history as you wander the streets of Memphis.
Historic Memphis Walking Tour
Memphis’ rich past can be examined on an informative 90 minute walking tour that will allow you to view the old Shelby County Jail, the Battle of Memphis site, the Mageveny House, Cotton Row and other historical landmarks. Walk along Beale Street and other historical thoroughfares as you make contact with the city’s vibrant history.
Stax Museum of American Soul Music
Just a few miles off of Beale Street is the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, home to hundreds of pieces of memorabilia about Memphis’ soul music past. Stax Records was pivotal in bringing soul musicians like Otis Redding and Isaac Hayes to national prominence from their humble Memphis roots. Music fans will love the museum’s many displays and its celebration of the Memphis neighborhood that became referred to as Soulsville, USA.
National Civil Rights Museum
If music is Memphis’ claim to fame, the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King lives on as the city’s moment of infamy. However, the Lorraine Motel, were Dr. King was assassinated in 1968, has been converted to the National Civil Rights Museum, which now pays tribute to Martin Luther King and other heroes of the movement who captured the nation’s attention and transformed America from a deeply racially segregated society to the nation we live in today, where Dr. King’s dream has begun to unfold. Look back in time through the Little Rock High School incident, the Montgomery Bus Boycott and so much more by paying a visit to the National Civil Rights Museum.
