Extended by popular demand, Louisville’s LouGrass Sessions will keep the music flowing through November, celebrating Kentucky’s rich Bluegrass roots tradition. What began as a seasonal series from April to October has struck a chord with fans, prompting additional shows Thursdays through Saturdays. LouGrass blends Bluegrass with Americana, blues, jazz, and more—carrying Kentucky’s legacy forward with a new generation of artists. Free live performances across Louisville’s venues give locals and visitors even more chances to experience authentic sounds in Bourbon City.
From cozy bars to lively hotel lounges, LouGrass brings Kentucky roots music to a variety of venues. Guests can explore the full lineup at lougrassmusic.com.
“The response has been phenomenal,” said Cleo Battle, Louisville Tourism President & CEO. “LouGrass proves just how much visitors and locals crave Kentucky’s roots music. It’s an authentic way to experience the spirit of Bourbon City, and we’re thrilled to keep the music going through November.”
The Last Refuge.
For a schedule of weekly performances, festivals and special events, visit lougrassmusic.com.
While planning a trip to Louisville, guests can book a LouGrass Hotel Packageat one of the six official LouGrass hotels. The hotel package includes:
Two complimentary tickets to Copper & Kings American Brandy Company visitor experience
$25 gift card to Bob Dylan’s The Last Refuge, A High Church of Bourbon in Downtown Louisville
Official LouGrass swag bag filled with LouGrass and Bourbon Country merchandise and keepsakes
Merchandise discount at the Louisville Visitor Center
Additionally, each hotel package booked receives one entry to win two weekend passes to the 2026 Bourbon & Beyond music festival.
Guests are encouraged to download a copy of Louisville Tourism’s annual Visitor Guide to see the city’s top attractions and bourbon distilleries. Visitors also can get additional city attraction, lodging and dining assistance at gotolouisville.com.
The music of beloved singers Gladys Knight, Patti Labelle and Dionne Warwick is being celebrated at Black Ensemble Theater (BET) in Chicago.
“That’s What Friends Are For,” the latest production at BET, runs through Aug. 10. The show tells a fictional tale of singers Knight, LaBelle and Warwick gathering together backstage prior to a planned Las Vegas residency. They talk about their lives and the friendship they share.
The show, produced by Black Ensemble Theater founder Jackie Taylor, is written and directed by Daryl Brooks. It’s an energetic production featuring powerful vocals from the talented ensemble cast.
“That’s What Friends Are For” stars Rose Marie Simmons as mature Gladys; Michaela Dukes as young Gladys; Sybyl Walker as mature Dionne; Brianna Buckley as young Dionne; Tamara Batiest as mature Patti; Courtney Driver as young Patti; Dennis Dent as Charles Gibbons; Dwight Neal as Luther Vandross; Jaimee Thomas as Michael Peterson and Treqon Tate (ensemble).
Among highlighted numbers are the engaging “That’s What Friends Are For,” “You Are My Friend,” “If Only For One Night,” “Midnight Train To Georgia” and “Walk On By.”
Audience members will leave the theatre singing the tunes of these iconic musical artists.
FYI: “That’s What Friends Are For,” will run through Aug.10 at Black Ensemble Theater, 4450 N. Clark St., Chicago. Visit blackensembletheater.org.
About Eloise Valadez
Guest blogger Eloise Marie Valadez, a frequent contributor to Travel/Food, is a professional journalist/writer and editor with four decades of experience covering the arts, entertainment, and culinary industries. A native of Chicago, she has a passion for the written word.
The definition of a good wine is as simple as this: Do you like it well enough to pour another glass?
Let us help you find your favorite at the Indiana Wine Fair, a day-long event in historic Story, Indiana. Sample the best of Indiana’s wines while enjoying live music and perusing the arts and crafts of Hoosier and regional artisans and the offerings of local food vendors.
Featured wineries offer 1-oz samples but also sell glass pours, merch, and bottles for carry out. Some wineries claim to sell so much to become unable to open their own shops until their inventory is replenished.
That’s why it’s a privilege to continue the tradition, as experts tell us the event is directly responsible for the market growth of Indiana wines.
Each guest receives a Story Inn keepsake wine glass, tote bag, and sample pours all afternoon. $30 presale tickets and more information are available at Indianwinefair.com
Free parking is available at Story. Free parking with free shuttle service is also available at Range 46 Wine Co in Gnaw Bone, with pickup/drop off at the Brown County CVB on Washington Street in Nashville. Shuttles run from 11am – 8pm.
Trust us, this is so true: Indiana Wines Rock
Photo Jane Simon Ammeson
Contrary to popular belief, wine is not only made in California or France. In blind tastings, Indiana wines compete with the best because of our diverse geographic regions, climate, and soils. Decades ago, Purdue University genetically engineered grapes to thrive in harder clay soils, which have found root on the Story hillside. Tour the orchard, vineyard, and nature trail on your next visit!
Stay Late and Laugh
Indiana Wine Fair 12-6pm; Comedy Show 8:30-10pm
Wine Fair guests receive admission to the monthly comedy show Saturday May 31 evening from 8:30-10pm. Enjoy the afternoon wine, live music, and support local arts, crafts, and food vendors. Plan to stay for the evening comedy show/fundraiser sponsored by 812 Farms.
Indiana Wine Fair founder Rick Hofstetter (on left) and friends. Photo Jane Simon Ammeson.
Celebrate the timeless elegance of Vienna and the legacy of the “waltz king” on Zicasso’s eight-day 200 Years of Johann Strauss Tour. The 19th-century musical sensation earned fame akin to modern-day rock stars with his infectious melodies and elegant compositions, especially waltzes like The Blue Danube. Immerse yourself in Strauss’s world and that of Vienna’s Golden Age with VIP seating at masterful performances, ballroom evenings, and exclusive access to opera houses and palaces.
Jane Simon Ammeson
From guided visits to imperial residences to leisurely walks through Vienna’s charming streets, enjoy Strauss’s enchanting melodies as each day blends cultural splendor with ceaseless indulgence.
Jane Simon Ammeson
Prices for Zicasso’s eight-day 200 Years of Johann Strauss Tour start at $4,000 per person for accommodations, in-country transportation, some or all activities/tours, expert trip planning, and 24/7 support during your trip.
Photo courtesy of House of Strauss.
Trip highlights include:
Visit Strauss’s former residence and learn to waltz at a private ballroom dancing class;
Enjoy an evening at a traditional Viennese heurigen, wine tavern, with local wines and music;
Discover the House of Strauss, a multimedia museum showcasing the composer’s legacy, and tour the Vienna State Opera with exclusive backstage access;
Don your finest ballgown or tuxedo to show off your skills during ball season before heading for refreshments at a UNESCO-recognized sausage stand;
Wander through Vienna’s Central Cemetery to view the graves of musical legends and admire Art Nouveau architecture.
Wikimedia Commons
In addition to these itinerary inclusions, this tour offers guests the option to trace Strauss’s footsteps through iconic landmarks like St. Stephen’s Cathedral and City Hall.
Stroll through Vienna’s Baroque squares and hidden alleys to uncover its musical heritage with visits to Café Frauenhuber, the city’s oldest coffee house which opened in 1824, and Schönbrunn Palace. Guests can also journey to Stift Klosterneuburg Abbey for a winery tour and wine tasting with scenic views.
Virtue Cider founder Gregory Hall, a pioneer in the farmhouse cider industry and a major player in Southwest Michigan’s craft beverage landscape, has repurchased the proper farmhouse cider brand from beer titan Anheuser-Busch. Nestled in the distinctive fruit-growing terroir of coastal Southwest Michigan, which Greg deems the “Napa Valley of cider making,”
Virtue Cider is taking its sustainable old-world production methods back to its independent roots, bringing the brand’s deep commitment to clean, high-quality ciders to new heights with a series of announcements for the new era. These include a full distribution overhaul, a farmhouse tasting room renovation coupled with a new menu direction, guest chef dinners, local artist collaborations and a reinvigorated direct-to-drinker subscription service delivering sustainable sips nationwide.
“My heart and soul have always been devoted to crafting independent beverages that connect with our local community,” says Hall. “I’ve poured myself into building both Goose Island and Virtue Cider on this foundation, guided by a passion for creativity and collaboration. As Virtue Cider enters this new chapter, I’m excited to return to our roots, refine our winemaker’s approach to craft cider, and rediscover the sense of independence that inspires us and helps us grow.”
Following his 20-year tenure at Goose Island Beer Company, founded by his father John Hall, Greg immersed himself in European cider culture, soaking up time-honored techniques from some of England and France’s top cider craftsmen. He brought that same spirit home to the United States, purchasing the brand’sFennville, Michigan farm in 2011 and building a haven for craft cider production anchored in two ingredients: apples and time.
Hall sold a 51% stake in Virtue Cider to Anheuser-Busch in 2015 and reacquired the brand in late summer 2024. A constant throughout Virtue Cider’s history, the brand will continue to use only local heirloom fruit with absolutely no added sugar, uplifting the apple farmers of the Midwest’s “Cider Coast” and raising a glass to sustainable Michigan-made sips.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN VIRTUE CIDER’S NEW CHAPTER:
Once again embracing its spirit of independence, Virtue Cider is leaving big beer-backed cans on grocery store shelves behind and committing to 750 ML bottles, only available at Virtue Farm or through the brand’s robust direct-to-drinker shipping program.
In tandem, Hall will stay true to his love of grassroots relationship development in the chef community, pouring new seasonal releases and beloved bottle varieties at intimate gatherings inside some of the Midwest’s best chef-driven restaurants.
Hall will also welcome some of the nation’s most prominent culinary talents to Fennville for guest chef dinners with fine cider pairings, embracing the local bounty of the micro-region.
On the 48-acre Virtue Farm, the tasting room will undergo extensive renovations and welcome a vibrant new food program, with a menu refresh to align with the brand’s wine-making approach to cider. Menu details are forthcoming but will focus on seasonal, homestyle comforts made with regionally sourced ingredients.
Hall and his team are also excited to continue nurturing their direct-to-drinker and Cider Society subscription box programs, delivering proper farmhouse cider from the fermentation tank to the front porch. Cider enthusiasts in 43 states across the country can give the gift of Michigan cider to themselves and their loved ones with access to holiday boxes and exclusive seasonal releases.
Virtue Cider has also forged new partnerships with local musicians and makers through amped-up live music programming at Virtue Farm and merchandise and cider label partnerships with acclaimed regional artists. Tony Fitzpatrick, whose work has been showcased at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, is the first of many Midwest artists to join the list of collaborators.
More details on Virtue Cider’s upcoming craft cider releases, renovations, events, and more to be released in 2025. For more information, follow Virtue Cider on Instagram or visit the website at www.virtuecider.com.
ABOUT VIRTUE CIDER: Located on a 48-acre farm in Fennville, Michigan, Virtue Cider is a craft cider company committed to creating exceptional farmhouse ciders that blend old-world traditions with modern cider fermentation and aging techniques. Embracing a deep-rooted respect for sustainable practices and local partnerships, Virtue was founded in 2011 by Gregory Hall, who brought two decades of innovation and an impressive collection of 14 consecutive Great American Beer Festival medals from his tenure as head brewmaster at Goose Island Beer Company.
After his time at Goose Island, Hall set out on a pilgrimage to the cider capitals of England and France to study time-honored European cider-making traditions, and Virtue was born. Virtue Farm, Virtue Cider’s headquarters, is specifically located in the heart of one of the country’s premier apple-growing regions, known as the Midwest’s “Cider Coast.” Hall has cultivated a deep bench of local farming partners, using the bounty of the highest quality Midwestern heirloom apples to craft a collection of crisp, complex, award-winning ciders, which never contain added sugar.
Apples are pressed on-site and fermented in tanks below ground to maintain a steady temperature, housed within three cider houses with architecture that emulates the Norman French style and a strong environmental focus. Virtue Cider’s farm is open year-round and is a vibrant destination for visitors, offering scenic trails, a tasting room featuring a seasonal menu and samples of a variety of ciders, cider flights, and more from their extensive portfolio. For more information on Virtue Cider, please visit www.virtuecider.com.
ABOUT VIRTUE FARM: Virtue Farm, located in Fennville, Michigan, is a 48-acre farm and the destination headquarters of Virtue Cider. Three Norman French-style cider houses, built with Michigan White Pine, hold Virtue’s below-ground fermentation tanks, which use only locally sourced apples and are naturally cooled and heated by the region’s climate.
Most of the farm’s electricity is sourced from 200 solar panels, just one piece of the farm’s vast commitment to sustainability and nourishing its community. Over 20 acres of the farm are grasslands, creating a monarch waystation for Michigan pollinators, and the farm is home to several Gloucestershire Old Spot pigs, harking back to old orchard folklore, as well as a variety of chickens. Virtue Farm also features a full tasting room with cider flights, handhelds, and charcuterie selections, offers guided tastings and tours for visitors, hosts live music, and supplies seasonal bottle selections for Virtue Cider’s national Cider Society subscription service.
On the heels of announcing their 2025 Las Vegas residency, Rock & Roll Hall of Famers Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony ignited Allegiant Stadium with an electrifying halftime performance during the NFL Raiders vs. Broncos game today. Delivering a powerhouse set of “I Can’t Drive 55,” and “Right Now,” the duo celebrated the news that their top-grossing summer tour is coming to Las Vegas this spring as an exclusive The Best of All Worlds Tour residency at Dolby Live at Park MGM. Tickets for the residency are on sale now: www.ticketmaster.com/SammyHagarVegas or RedRocker.com.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 24: Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony pose for a photo with members of the United Staes military at Allegiant Stadium on November 24, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Denise Truscello/Getty Images for Live Nation)
The performance was highlighted by a heartfelt tribute to honor the bravery and dedication of the U.S. military. During the iconic Van Halen hit, “Right Now,” Hagar invited members of the military who participated in the Raiders’ “Salute to Service” reenlistment ceremony to join him on stage and sing along. At the end of the performance, the crowd chanted “USA! USA!” and the members of the military were given rockstar treatment with high fives from fans as they exited the stage.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 24: Sammy Hagar attends a Las Vegas Raiders’ game at Allegiant Stadium on November 24, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Denise Truscello/Getty Images for Live Nation)
Hagar’s highly anticipated The Best of All Worlds Las Vegas Residency is set to run April 30 through May 17, 2025. Today’s performance offered fans a taste of what’s to come in the intimate, high-energy residency, featuring career-spanning hits from Montrose, Van Halen, Chickenfoot, and beyond.
The tour will reunite the rock powerhouse band of Hagar, Anthony, Joe Satriani and Kenny Aronoff with a new “only in Las Vegas” setlist, representing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see this band of brothers deliver one of the most legendary hits-packed live shows of their careers.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 24: Sammy Hagar performs during halftime at the Las Vegas Raiders’ game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium on November 24, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Denise Truscello/Getty Images for Live Nation)
About Sammy Hagar
For more than four decades, Sammy Hagar has been recognized as one of the best and most accomplished lead singers and songwriters in rock music. From breaking into the industry with the seminal hard rock band Montrose, to his multi-platinum solo career, to his ride as the frontman of Van Halen, Chickenfoot, and his latest best-selling supergroup, The Circle, Hagar has amassed 25 Platinum albums on sales surpassing 50 million worldwide.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 24: Sammy Hagar poses for a photo with members of the United States military at Allegiant Stadium on November 24, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Denise Truscello/Getty Images for Live Nation)
Along his journey, he has set the tone for some of the greatest rock anthems ever written with songs like “I Can’t Drive 55,” “Right Now,” and “Why Can’t This Be Love,” and earned the highest respect of the music industry with a Grammy Award and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Since opening his flagship Cabo Wabo Cantina in 1990, he’s turned a lifelong passion for great food, music and spirits into a thriving and iconic lifestyle brand encompassing restaurants and spirits.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 24: Michael Anthony and Sammy Hagar pose for a photo at Allegiant Stadium on November 24, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Denise Truscello/Getty Images for Live Nation)
A pioneer in the spirits industry, he launched Cabo Wabo Tequila in 1996 and catapulted it into the #2-selling premium tequila brand in the United States. In 2010, Hagar sold his interests in Cabo Wabo Tequila to Gruppo Campari in a 9-figure deal that’s widely credited as the start of the celebrity-owned spirits trend. He now owns an award-winning portfolio of top-shelf spirits and beer that embody that same spirit of Baja beach life and rock ‘n’ roll. They include Sammy’s Beach Bar Rum, a partnership with rock icon Rick Springfield, Santo Spirits, a partnership with tastemaker Guy Fieri, Sammy’s Beach Bar Cocktail Co. and Red Rocker Brewing Co.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 24: Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony attend a Las Vegas Raiders’ game at Allegiant Stadium on November 24, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Denise Truscello/Getty Images for Live Nation)
Never one to hit the brakes, Sammy’s also expanded his successes into publishing, TV, radio and beyond, including five seasons of his hit TV show “Rock & Roll Road Trip with Sammy Hagar” and as host of “Sammy Hagar’s Top Rock Countdown,” a weekly syndicated radio show on 90+ US stations.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 24: Sammy Hagar poses for a photo with members of the United Staes military at Allegiant Stadium on November 24, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Denise Truscello/Getty Images for Live Nation)
He’s a #1 NYT bestselling author, a dedicated philanthropist, donating millions back to local communities through his private non-profit The Hagar Family Foundation, and the first Honorary Ambassador to Los Cabos, an honor he was bestowed in 2022 in recognition of his longtime investment in the people and economy of Mexico. Visit RedRocker.com for more information.
Michael Anthony (Photo by Denise Truscello/Getty Images for Live Nation)
About Live Nation Las Vegas
Live Nation Entertainment (NYSE: LYV) is the world’s leading live entertainment company comprised of global market leaders: Ticketmaster, Live Nation Concerts, and Live Nation Sponsorship. Live Nation Las Vegas produces residency shows from Sammy Hagar, Mötley Crüe, New Kids On The Block, Mariah Carey, Maroon 5, Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars at Dolby Live at Park MGM; Santana at House of Blues; Blake Shelton, Garth Brooks and Rod Stewart at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace; The B-52s, Earth, Wind & Fire, FOREIGNER, Styx and Chicago at The Venetian Theatre at The Venetian Resort Las Vegas; and Scorpions, Black Eyed Peas and Shania Twain at PH Live at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino.
Live Nation Las Vegas also brings other world-famous artists to many of the city’s other premier concert venues including Allegiant Stadium, T-Mobile Arena, MGM Grand Garden Arena, Michelob ULTRA Arena, the Pearl at Palms Casino Resort, Downtown Las Vegas Events Center and more. For additional information, visit www.livenationentertainment.com. Find Live Nation Las Vegas on Facebook, Instagram and follow us on Twitter.
Park MGM is the Las Vegas Strip’s first smoke-free resort, offering an intimate hotel experience on a grand scale. Park MGM features 2,700 guest rooms and suites in addition to NoMad Las Vegas’ 293 well-appointed guest rooms and suites on the resort’s top four floors. The resort’s robust culinary program features NoMad Library; L.A. legend Roy Choi’s Korean BBQ concept, Best Friend; Hogsalt Hospitality’s renowned Bavette’s Steakhouse; and the 40,000-square-foot vibrant Italian marketplace, Eataly, among other dining and cocktail experiences.
Dolby Live, the resort’s 5,200-seat entertainment destination, is home to special engagements by Bruno Mars, Lady Gaga, Lenny Kravitz, Mariah Carey, Maroon 5, Mötley Crüe and New Kids On The Block, among other top artists. Park MGM also is home to On The Record, a unique nightlife concept from LA-based Houston Hospitality. Park MGM and NoMad Las Vegas are located in the heart of The Strip, next to the entertainment and dining neighborhood created by The Park and the 20,000-seat T-Mobile Arena. Park MGM and NoMad Las Vegas are operated by MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM).
If you couldn’t make it, you can still feel the vibe with these great photos taken by Keith Griner and courtesy of visitindy.com
Indy: Taylor street scenes on the night of her first concert. Keith Griner photo.Photographer Keith Griner’s pics of the first night of the Taylor Swift Indy concert catch the mood.Photo by Keith Griner shows Taylor taking over Indy. Taylor fans are ready for the big night. Photo Keith Griner.Some 200,000 people were expected to visit Indy over the weekend because of the concert. Photo by Keith Griner.Keith Griner photo.
Zicasso is proud to announce its latest cultural tour offering, 8 Days in Puccini’s Footsteps: A Musical Pilgrimage Through Italy, designed for travelers seeking an immersive experience into the life and work of the renowned Italian composer Giacomo Puccini, in honor of the 100th anniversary of his death in November 2024. This meticulously crafted itinerary offers a journey through the locations that shaped Puccini’s illustrious career, providing travelers with a rich tapestry of music, history, and Italian culture.
Massaciuccoli Lake. Torre del Lago. Photo courtesy of Anna Massina.
On this eight-day tour, guests will be fully immersed in the world of Puccini, tracing his steps from the bustling streets of Milan to the serene lakeside of Torre del Lago. This tour is designed for those who appreciate classical music, history, and the vibrant culture of Italy, offering a unique opportunity to connect with the environments that inspired Puccini’s greatest works.
This eight-day tour provides a rare opportunity to follow in the footsteps of one of Italy’s most beloved composers, offering an enriching blend of music, history, and breathtaking landscapes. Priced starting at $3,190 per person, the tour as listed includes premium accommodations, guided tours, all transfers, daily breakfasts, and opportunities to attend opera performances in Milan and Rome.
Didn’t get a ticket for Taylor Swift’s upcoming tour? Don’t despair. Think of all the money you saved when jamming out instead to Midnights along with a good book instead. The librarians at Libby, an app for borrowing ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, and more that let’s you borrow from your local library for free, went track by track to come up with pairings to go along with the new album, check out that list here.
The best part? Unlike a $700+ floor seat and hours of Ticketmaster torture, these books are free. So instead of a credit card, just whip out your library card.
Piper Bellinger is an Instagram wild child with a trust fund and a penchant for riling up the paparazzi. A lot of people make assumptions about her, including Brendan—at first. Both characters show that there’s more than meets the eye and they don’t give a darn what people think if they’re meant to be together.
Jokes about Jacob Black and Renesmee aside, this song captures the vibe of the franchise and the era of the books and movies so well. Whether it evokes Bella’s four-month depression (Hello, One day I’ll watch as you’re leaving / And life will lose all its meaning), Edward feeling like “a monster on the hill” and a danger to his love, or truly the “covert narcissism” disguised “as altruism” from just about every Cullen, this song has the Twilight franchise covered.
Addie makes a deal with the devil and lives forever, but is forgotten by everyone she meets. That’s until she meets a man who remembers her name. A lot of her life and loves feel like snow on the beach: weird but beautiful and, often, impossible.
With lyrics like, I didn’t choose this town, I dream of getting out and I hosted parties and starved my body / Like I’d be saved by a perfect kiss down to the repetition of You’re on your own, kid, you always have been, this song evokes so many of the feelings Jennette describes throughout her book: navigating life with her mother, being forced into Hollywood and just doing her best to survive.
Micah is the “Prince of Chicago.” He runs a popular (anonymous) Instagram filled with drawings of his numerous, imaginary boyfriends. He’s got it all, but knows he’s so much more than that. When Boy 100 turns into his very first boyfriend, he finds that love is so much more than what’s been living in his head. He has to fight the hurt as he tries to make his own name while Boy 100 is chasing the fame.
Auden spends a lot of nights reading or walking around town—basically doing anything but sleep. She runs into a fellow night owl, Eli, and they form a friendship as they both try to work through their stuff. These lyrics match perfectly:
Good girl, sad boy, big city, wrong choices. We had one thing goin’ on I swear that it was somethin’ / ‘Cause I don’t remember who I was before you painted all my nights / A color I’ve searched for since.
There are so many strong, powerful and amazing women in literature who could absolutely “draw the cat eye, sharp enough to kill a man,” but from the jump, this song evokes thoughts of sticking it to The Capitol. Whether dressing for revenge, or taking down the corrupt system from the inside, Katniss Everdeen and her crew are up to some vigilante sh*t.
Daisy has a way of capturing the attention of everyone in the room when she walks in. She shimmers and shines, but there’s more to her than meets the eye.
Isla is a hopeless romantic who might finally have a chance with Josh, a guy she’s had a crush on forever. But they have a lot of obstacles to overcome in this sweet and intense romance.
We could totally imagine “Karma” as Lily’s anthem as she navigates the tricky dynamics of her ex, Ryle, and the feelings she has for Atlas as they meet again as adults. Lily deserves her second chance at love despite the others that keep trying to bring her down.
Beach Read follows January, a romance author who doesn’t believe in love anymore, and Augustus, a literary author who’s a bit of a cynic. A romance, yes, but you’ll need the tissues ready!
All that you ever wanted from me was sweet nothin’.
This is such a magical and spooky series by Bray, filled with love and mysterious powers. There are so many moments in this book that feel like they only happen when all the stars aligned, and the love story of Theta and Memphis is surely one of them. From their chance meeting during the raid of the Hotsy Totsy club in Book 1, to discovering Theta’s past in Book 3, this pair absolutely embodies “the first night that you saw me nothing was gonna stop me.”
After you soak in the new album, head over to the Libby reading app to find the perfect book match.
About the Author
Joe Skelley has always been a lover of reading and passionate about the library. His love of libraries brought him to OverDrive where he works on the Events team, working with the Digital Bookmobile and co-hosts the Professional Book Nerds podcast. Joe loves thrillers, magical realism and the broad spectrum of YA. When he’s not working, Joe loves to listen to audiobooks and podcasts, watch YouTube, get too involved in a DIY project and (most importantly) play with his Boston Terrier, Roscoe.
Borrow ebooks, audiobooks, magazines and more from your local library for free! Libby is the newer library reading app by OverDrive, loved by millions of readers worldwide.
Flamenco, that artistic expression of music, movement, song, and dance originating in Andalucía Spain and possibly dating back to the 8th century, is on display during the Chicago Flamenco Festival 2021 presented by the Instituto Cervantes de Chicago, a non-for-profit center for the Spanish language and cultural exchange.
Chicago Flamenco Festival 2021
“Flamenco is a dance of passion,” says Teresa Hernando Rojo, cultural activities coordinator at the Instituto Cervantes and director of the festival which runs until November 13 “It takes great skill and dedication.”
Best described as a solo dance with three components, canto (song), baile (dance) and one of three forms—intense, grand, and intermediate, flamenco is also an energetic and a highly expressive art form incorporating hand clapping, fancy footwork, elaborate hand, arm, and body movements all accompanied by music. It’s enthralling to observe—percussive footwork and clicking castanets, elaborate and richly colored costumes often patterned (at least for the women; the men seem to prefer black) with the music and movements expressing a wide range of emotions.
The attention to detail is amazing, even the way the bailaora or female dancer ties her long hand-embroidered shawl is representative of differing moods. Adding to the visual impact are ornate fans, perfectly coiffed hair, ruffled dresses cut high in front to enable movement, veils, and combs.
“Even the costumes are very traditional,” continues Hernando, noting that the costumes often worn during the performers at the festival are handmade by people who specialize and only make flamenco clothing.
It’s also a family tradition, flamenco is often passed down through the generations. Performers learn from parents who have learned from their parents, fathers to sons and mothers to daughters.
Performers during the five week events include Kati Golenko, one of the few women professional flamenco guitar players, and Miguel Reyes Jimenez, a master of the flamenco cajon who has written books on the subject. Golenko, who was born in Chicago and Jimenez, who is from Mexico City, met in Madrid and believe that flamenco is not only for people who were born into the tradition. They invite foreigners to join what they describe the clan of flamenco bastards, ‘The global tribe of #flamencobastards are all of us who were born outside of Spain, lacking flamenco purity in our veins, but for some strange reason, palpating with flamenco in our blood. We can´t speak to purity, but we can share what’s ours: technique, feeling, and strength.”
Other performers include Nino de los Reyes who was nine years old when he performed in “Campanas Flamencas,” directed by Paco Sánchez, founder of the legendary Cumbre Flamenca and Amparo Heredia, known as “La Repompilla,” who premiered her own show, “Herencia Flamenca,” at the Tío Luis de la Juliana festival in Madrid in 2017. This year she won La Lámpara Minera, the most prestigious and highest International flamenco singing award.
“The great thing about flamenco is you don’t have to understand the language to understand its power and beauty,” says Hernando.
For information on the Flamenco Festival and shows, click here, or contact the Instituto Cervantes at 312-335-1996; chicago.cervantes.es.
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