Arts & Culture: For a number of years now I had heard about Cirque du Soleil. And every time another person told me about their experience with this unique and bold performance art, my curiosity soared to new heights. Typically when this happens with a book, movie, or play, I tend to be let down by the actual experience because of course I have built up the actual product to epic proportions in my mind.
Not so in this case! While in Las Vegas recently, I was finally able to experience first hand the Mystère production of Cirque du Soleil, and was totally blown away by the brilliant creativity and execution of this fabulous show.
The most fabulous show on earth- I've read this description of the circus so many times in reference to the magical aura of this entertainment venue, but as a product of the culture of post WW II technology with its entertainment saturation I've never felt the awe described in literature that say someone growing up in the Great Depression might have felt peeking through the canvas of a tent that housed a fat lady or tattooed man.
I was aware during the performance that I had not experienced this type of childlike awe in quite some time. Starting with the Opening or Taiko, our senses were overloaded with performers crawling straight down walls like lizards. Leaping acrobats, beak faced birds, oversized babies and errant clowns who irreverently tossed the audience's popcorn and pulled people out of their seats.
The costumes and colors in themselves were provocative. The high-tech scenery surpassed any special effects that might be used in a video production, and the physical skills of the performers stunned me. I literally could not take my eyes off the Hand to Hand musclemen, brothers Marco and Paul Lorador from Portugal, who performed a hand and body balancing act that I wouldn't have believed possible without the trick of the camera, if they hadn't almost been close enough to reach out and touch. Their grace and strength seemed superhuman as they balanced each other, every muscle in the human body working in total harmony with the other.
Then there was the Chinese Poles, The Aerial Cube, the Bungee, the Korean Plank, Trampoline and Fast Track, and the Aerial High Bar. And this is only one of half a dozen themed productions that are equally distinct and imaginative. In Las Vegas alone you can see "O," "Love," "KẦ," "Zumanity," and "Mystère." And there are eight other productions that travel around the world as well.
It all started in 1982, in Baie-Saint-Paul, Quebec, a charming, rural area popular with artists, art collectors and tourists. A group of young street performers, the Club des Talons Hauts (the High Heels Club) began to hatch the idea of organizing an entertainer's festival, the Fête Foraine de Baie-Saint-Paul, which was the precursor of what was to become Cirque du Soleil. Guy Laliberté, an accordion player, stilt walker and fire-eater, dove into business to organize and plan the growth of the young company, creating one of the most amazing entertainment venues for a global stage.
Yes, I encourage you to see this show, this fabulous show. Put it on your A list of things you want to do in upcoming months. You will not be disappointed.
Arts & Culture: It's a tradition now at the Westin St. Francis in San Francisco. Executive Pastry Chef, Jean-François Houdré, aka "King of the Castle," is diligently working day and night perfecting his signature 12-feet rotating holiday Sugar Castle, to be unveiled in the Tower Lobby of The Westin St. Francis on Friday, November 23.
"The creation of the Sugar Castle is truly a labor of love," says Chef Houdré. "Each year, I begin working on it two months in advance, adding more special touches and details each time. This year's version promises to be the best yet!" The inspiration to create this one-of-a-kind, grandiose Sugar Castle came from Chef Houdré's trip to Europe with his family in 2005. While traveling around Bordeaux, the Houdré family visited many remarkable châteaux, particularly Mont Saint Michel and La Cité de Carcassonne, which is one of Europe's most complete examples of a fortified abbey.
As the Houdré family toured these extravagant castles, his son Henri, age ten, and his daughter, Claudia, age eight, were able to experience an earlier time when royalty once occupied these magnificent castles centuries ago. From that experience, the children were able to convince their father that he must build a sugar castle at The Westin St. Francis to rival the royal castles in France and display it for children to visit during the holiday season.
Resembling a French Chateau from Chef Houdre's hometown of Bordeaux, the 100% edible castle is made of pastillage (a combination of powdered sugar, egg whites and gelatin dough), gingerbread, sugar, molasses, flour and candy. Weighing over 1200 pounds, this magical castle features more than 20 grand circular towers, approximately 30 rooms, illuminated windows, and is surrounded by a quaint village and a running train.
The castle is entirely edible, and is comprised of: 70 pounds of gingerbread, 130 pounds of pastillage (Powder sugar egg white and gelatin dough), 40 pounds of pulled and bubble sugar, Royal icing made of 300 pounds of sugar and egg whites, 40 pounds of molasses, 60 pounds of flour and 100 pounds of assorted Christmas Candy. It takes approximately 360 hours to complete the holiday masterpiece.
Opened more than a century ago on March 21, 1904, The Westin St. Francis is the only hotel located on San Francisco's famous Union Square, The Westin St. Francis is just steps from The City's best shopping, dining, theatres and art galleries. For reservations and more information, visit www.westinfrancis.com.
Arts & Culture: Consumers in search of that perfect piece of art often find themselves lost in a tangle of webs created by less-than-helpful gallery curators, bidding wars, and issues stemming from exhibit proximity and lack of time. Shopping for accents to complement your home décor should be a pleasant experience, one which you look forward to and that expands your creativity.
While attending a gallery exhibition definitely has its benefits?the hors d'oeuvres, conversation and cocktails?the draw of the crowd can often be overwhelming. We're not saying you need to succumb to the perils of dealing with large retail chains, which stock over-produced re-prints cased behind plastic frames. And purchasing your art in the same place you go to buy your milk is definitely out of the question. So, what do you do when you want designer décor but don't want to leave the house to find it? Buyoutsidethebox.com, an online art gallery, is an ideal solution for all of your creative needs.
With a name like Buyoutsidethebox.com, you can expect a selection that you most likely wouldn't find elsewhere. Ruth Mitchell, the creator of Buyoutsidethebox.com, traded in her career in magazine publishing in order to pursue a lifelong dream of owning her own art gallery. However, Mitchell wasn't one to sit behind a desk all day, pushing papers and dealing with the public. She felt her time would be better spent searching for innovative artists, new concepts, and artwork that ultimately represented something outside the box. Enlisting help from her business savvy daughter, Cecelia, Mitchell soon turned her dream into a reality.
"I had seen Web sites that sold art, but they were lacking in so many ways. I wanted more of an exclusive collection to be offered in a classy magazine format," Mitchell said. "We would start out small, but focus on quality, building on the original concept."
As an avid online shopper, Mitchell was determined to make her new Web site user friendly.
"I shop online a great deal myself, and two things I do not like are, having to register to visit a site, and paying a lot of extra costs as you check out," Mitchell said. "So, we asked our artists to factor in shipping. We can do that with most of the art."
With merchandise spanning the gamut, the Web site features paintings and photography, jewelry and glass, women's apparel and children's accessories, textiles and leather books, and a collection of well-written articles.
"Our theme is creative consumerism," Mitchell said. "Anything that falls under that umbrella will show up on our site."
In addition to the merchandise sold on the Web site, which is hand-selected by Mitchell from more than 50 artists, Buyoutsidethebox.com offers its customers the luxury of perusing featured collections by visiting their blog. The blog is much more than an extension of the Web site; it showcases a wide array of any and all things artistic while capturing the essence of creative consumerism. The blog's resourceful list of Arts and Culture Web sites proves to be a valuable tool for any creative mind. And with an extensive background in magazine publishing, you can rest assure that this isn't just some run-of-the-mill blog but rather a tasteful narrative covering everything from museum profiles to film reviews.
Arts & Culture: Some critics might say Jasper Cropsey's "The Backwoods of America" -- part of the Crystal Bridges growing American Art Collection -- is a symbolic icon for billionaire Alice Walton's passion for the arts.
Designed by world renowned architect Moshe Safdie, and funded by billionaire Alice Walton, the $50 million (that's just the cost of the facility and doesn't include the artworks) Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is scheduled to open in 2009, in Bentonville, Arkansas. It was two years ago this month that the daughter of Sam Walton, Founder of Wal-Mart, made the controversial announcement.
The museum will house a permanent collection of signature works from American artists along with galleries dedicated to regional art and artists including Native American art, but oddly enough, this monumental task is not making everyone happy.
The depth of the museum is indicated in a purchase from Christies America's auction house in New York City in 2004 of Charles Wilson Peale's portrait of George Washington for $6.1 million. This is causing some critics to puff up, believing that the art works are being snatched from their own backyard. No need to worry, collaborating with other institutions will be an important focus of Crystal Bridges, even before the museum opens, and they can also rest easy to know Bentonville does have an airport.
A number of the works from the Crystal Bridges permanent collection are already on loan at various museums throughout the United States including: The Hudson River School masterwork "Kindred Spirits" which was loaned to The National Gallery in Washington, D.C. for public viewing from 2005 - 2007. It is currently on loan to the Brooklyn Museum's exhibition by the same name featuring the works of Asher B. Durand. The same exhibition will also travel to Washington D.C. and San Diego.
Thomas Eakins' Portrait of Professor Benjamin H. Rand is currently on loan to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Jasper Cropsey's majestic depiction of early American frontier life, "The Backwoods of America," is now featured in the American galleries of The Nelson-Atkins in Kansas City, and the most extensive surviving group of Colonial American portraiture, the Levy-Franks family paintings, is currently on loan at The Jewish Museum in New York City. Also, the distinctive painting George Washington (The Constable-Hamilton Portrait) by the American painter Gilbert Stuart is currently on view at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston.
While the puffers puff, others admire Walton's passion and dedication to the arts, and recognize the fact Crystal Bridges will be the premier American Art Collection, once it is in place. The collection is headed up by Bob Workman, formerly associated with the Amon Carter Museum in Fort Worth, Texas.
When completed, the museum complex will encompass approximately 100,000 square feet of gallery, library, meeting, and office space, a 250-seat indoor auditorium, areas for outdoor concerts and public events, gallery rooms suitable for large receptions, as well as sculpture gardens and walking trails. Walton is building this "American Dream" on 100 pristine, wooded acres her family owns in Bentonville.
To find out more about this amazing museum visit the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art Web site.
Arts & Culture: Founded in 1974, The Clay Studio is Philadelphia's only nonprofit organization whose sole focus is on education and promotion of the ceramic arts, and is one of the leading international institutions in the field. Through artist residencies, studio space, a gallery, and school, educational and community outreach programs, The Clay Studio fulfills its mission as both a local arts institution deeply rooted in its immediate neighborhood and a member of the international ceramic arts community.
Originally organized as a small artists' collective, The Clay Studio has blossomed into an internationally renowned learning center for the ceramic arts, and is a non-profit 501(c)(3) educational institution. Four distinct residency programs are available in Old City Philadelphia, with studio space for up to 35 artists. In addition to hundreds of members and individual donators, The Clay Studio enjoys the support of such organizations as the Bank of America Foundation, The National Endowment for the Arts, Boeing Company, the Campbell Soup Foundation, and the Advanta Foundation.
The Studio's educational and community programs are designed to promote access to and instill a love of the ceramic arts within as many people as possible. Programs are available for adults and children at all skill and interest levels, from professional artists to art enthusiasts to underprivileged inner-city kids, and the Studio is a participant in the national First Fridays program. The Studio's award-winning Claymobile program, which provides hands-on arts education in some of Philadelphia's most needy communities, has become a national model for art-education outreach.
To find out about upcoming exhibitions, classes and workshops, sign up for the Studio's email list, read about its artist opportunities, make a donation, or browse an online store offering original works by the Studio's artists, see the Studio's Web site.
Arts & Culture: Sixties American counter-culture has gone high-culture. Last summer, the Victoria and Albert Museum in London presented an exhibition of 1960's fashion and classic rock posters. Now, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the 1967 Summer of Love, the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York is hosting Summer of Love: Art of the Psychedelic Era, running through September 16.
The exhibition celebrates the psychedelic aesthetic that was the hallmark of the art, music, film, architecture, graphic design and fashion of the Vietnam War Era. On display are period posters, album covers and underground magazines, along with photographs, paintings and sculptures by such Summer of Love figures as Richard Avedon, Jimi Hendrix and Andy Warhol. The exhibits are put in perspective by documentary materials that examine the people, events and political and social cultures that were the backdrop for this tumultuous time in American history, including daily screenings of such films as Howard Lester's "One Week in Vietnam," made in 1970, and Robert Nelson's "Grateful Dead," from 1967.
An exhibit examining the Summer of Love would be woefully lacking without the period's soundtrack, which is why all visitors can pick up a "music tour" free of charge in the lobby. As they browse the exhibits, visitors can put on headphones and listen to such selections as The Beatles' "Revolution No. 9," Bob Dylan's "Mr. Tambourine Man," The Rolling Stones' "Wild Horses," and Jefferson Airplane's "White Rabbit."
To learn more about the exhibition, listen to the Summer of Love Audio Tour podcast, or purchase tickets, visit the Whitney's Web site.
Arts & Culture: Though it may be summer, the holiday season will be here before we know it. The thought of holiday shopping may be daunting, but the smell of pine and the gathering of loved ones fill us with warm fuzziness. And with the arrival of sleigh bells, menorahs, and eggnog, comes the yearly production of the Nutcracker.
Whether your memories include attending the ballet as a child, or discovering the enchantment in adulthood, one thing is certain; the Nutcracker is a timeless masterpiece enjoyed generation after generation.
The world-renowned Moscow Ballet will present its Great Russian Nutcracker in over 70 cities during the holiday season. Celebrating its 15th anniversary, the all-Russian cast will deliver a spectacle of beautifully choreographed dance.
Artistic Director and principal dancer, Anatoli Emelianov, uses a fresh approach to tell the beloved story of the Russian Nutcracker. Emelianov's Act II is set in the unique "Land of Peace and Harmony" where a new-to-the-script ethereal dove leads Masha and the Nutcracker Prince to a land where there are no wars or suffering, where all creatures live in harmony. Advance tickets are now available online.
Arts & Culture: What began as a leisurely wine night among a close knit circle of friends has evolved into an empire of sorts. From its inception in 2002, the original "Rock 'n Roll crew" has made great strides in its attempt to combine the world's love of wine with its passion for rock 'n roll.
Today, the Rock 'n Roll Wine Series provides a comfortable, high-energy atmosphere to the Las Vegas area each month. Known for being unpretentious, the series welcomes patrons of all sorts including wine connoisseurs, novices, and purveyors of down right good music. This is a venue where wine snobs and cork dorks can mingle with musicians and party-goers without undergoing or passing judgment. Having all the attributes of a good soirée, and a "Wine Spectator meets Rollingstone" attitude, the Rock 'n Roll Wine Series has become a favorite among Vegas' diverse crowd.
The Rock 'n Roll Wine Series defines itself as an unorthodox process of learning about and tasting wine by matching it to different musical genres and specific songs. Imagine sipping on a buttery, California Chardonnay while listening to the smooth styling's of Sting or perhaps indulging in a full-bodied Cabernet that is perfectly paired with an Eddie Van Halen guitar solo.
The concept of these tastings go beyond pairing wine with food, and even further beyond the preliminary swirl, sniff, and sip technique. The spectacle is designed to examine and stimulate all the body's senses through sights, smells, sounds, tastes, and touch. Patrons thrive on the experience and ultimately achieve sensory overload.
The themed events such as Hippie Night, 80s Hair Band Night, Reggae Night and Fschizzle My Nizzle Night have proven to draw swarms of crowds. Another local favorite is the Wine Amplified "Live!" series, which couples wine with local live musicians. What's more, the Rock 'n Roll Wine Series extends its reach by offering tastings at mountain retreats and aboard chartered yachts. With a cult following by its side, the Rock 'n Roll Wine Series has plans of one day bringing its unique method to the television screen in the form of a series, producing its own wine label, and publishing its accounts in a tell-all book.
The Rock 'n Roll Wine Series Web site offers suggestions for planning your own at-home wine and music pairing. In addition, series founder, Chris Hammond, a self-titled rule maker and breaker, shares his lists of rules. The first and foremost being, "Don't take yourself or your wine too seriously" followed by "No wine question is too stupid to ask." Hammond shares the philosophy of "experience first, wine second" and believes that wine is only as good as the friends, family and new acquaintances you share it with.
Arts & Culture: The J. Paul Getty Museums are among the top art galleries, as these venues exhibit a kaleidoscope of cultural and educational events and activities year round at its two Southern California locations. The Los Angeles Getty is the J. Paul Getty Museum at the Getty Center, and the Malibu site is the J. Paul Getty Museum at the Villa in Malibu. The Villa in Malibu, which opened in January 2006, underwent a major renovation prior to its opening.
The Portrait of Robert Chessman (1485-1547) by Hans Holbein the Younger is currently on display at the North Pavilion of the Getty Center. Holbein the Younger was highly regarded for the intricacy incorporated into his works. Other distinguished paintings by the artist include a portrait of King Henry VIII and of Sir Thomas More. The Chessman portrait is on loan from the Maurithuis in the Netherlands up to April 22, 2007. A Getty-owned work of Holbein the Younger, An Allegory of Passion, and a painting by Lucas Cranach the Elder, A Faun and His Family with a Slain Lion are exhibited in the same area.
The Villa in Malibu is currently presenting the Stories in Stone exhibition, displaying mosaics of Tunisia that date from 200 to 500 AD when Northern Africa was part of the Roman Empire. Many masterpieces from various national museums of Tunisia are used in this extraordinary show of historical significance. Stories in Stone will be shown through the end of April 2007.
The Los Angeles site displays European paintings, drawings, sculptures, decorative arts, illuminated manuscripts and photographs of both Europe and America. The Getty Villa in Malibu has approximately 44,000 pieces of art and culture of ancient Greece, Rome, and Etruria. There are more than 1,200 works on display at any given time.
For LxM James Rothaar
Museums: J.Paul Getty Museum at the Getty Center / J.Paul Getty Museum at the Villa in Malibu
Arts & Culture: Lovers of Egyptology who missed viewing Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs at its stops in Los Angeles, Fort Lauderdale and Chicago have one more opportunity to view Tut's treasures stateside. The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia will host Tut II's final American exhibition from February 3 through September 30, 2007.
The first King Tut exhibit, which visited seven U.S. cities in the late 1970s, is credited as the genesis of "Tutmania," drawing eight million visitors. Tut II drew 2.8 million visitors before arriving in Philadelphia, with 400,000 advance tickets sold by the eve of the Franklin Institute premiere. The audience is not the only thing that is exponentially larger; the number of artifacts on display has doubled from the first exhibition, with 50 pieces from Tut's tomb and 70 from other ancient Egyptian tombs.
The exhibition showcases ancient history and unlimited opulence. Ancient Egyptians believed not just in luxury living, but luxury living after life. Tut's status as a king warranted a separate golden sarcophagus just for his liver, along with equally elegant gold "coffinettes" for his internal organs. Along with the liver sarcophagus and one of the coffinettes, visitors also view the gold crown that archeologists believe Tut wore in life, the golden dagger found wrapped in his death shroud, and the elegant coffin of Tut's great-grandmother.
Visitors to the Philadelphia exhibition can partake of a special treat not available in the other cities Tut II has visited. The University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology is hosting Amarna, Ancient Egypt's Place in the Sun, a complementary exhibition focusing on Tut's hometown and the man believed to be his father, the controversial King Akhenaten. Visitors can easily shuttle between the two exhibitions on the "Tut Trolley," which will also have stops at other Tut-related activities in the city.
The King Tut Hotel Package is being offered by 15 fine Center City hotels, including the Ritz-Carlton, the Four Seasons, and the Rittenhouse Hotel. All packages include two un-timed VIP tickets to Tut II, and packages that also include Tut Trolley tickets and admission to the complementary Penn exhibition are available. See www.gophila.com for details.
For LxM Teresa Rothaar
Exhibition: Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs
Web site:
www.gophila.com
Contact: For tickets call 1(877)TUT-TKTS or visit Ticketmaster.com.
Arts & Culture: Natives fondly refer to Philadelphia's Academy of Music as "The Grand Old Lady of Locust Street," and as she celebrates her 150th birthday, the Grand Old Lady's elegance and cultural importance endures. Opened to the public on January 26, 1857, the Academy is a National Historic Landmark, the nation's oldest grand opera house that is still used for its original purpose. One of the busiest concert halls in the world, it plays host to a wide variety of cultural and civic activities, including performances by the Opera Company of Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania Ballet, and the Philadelphia Orchestra, the latter of which owns the Academy.
Martin Scorsese filmed the opening sequence of "The Age of Innocence" at the Academy, referring to the hall as "Philadelphia's La Fenice." Architects Napoleon Le Brun and Gustavus Runge designed the Academy with audience comfort in mind. An "open horseshoe" shape offers maximum visibility to audience members sitting on each side of the balconies. The Academy's grand crystal chandelier is a focal point of the interior; according to the Academy, it measures 50 feet in circumference by 16 feet in diameter and weighs 5,000 pounds.
A celebration of the U.S. Constitution Centennial was held here in 1887 and attended by President and Mrs. Grover Cleveland. The Academy has also been the site of the American premieres of such renowned operas as Strauss's Ariadne auf Naxos, Gounod's Faust, and Wagner's The Flying Dutchman. Today, the Academy remains the region's primary venue for Broadway productions, opera, dance and theatre. The Opera Company of Philadelphia gives 24 performances a year at the Academy and the Pennsylvania Ballet about 50 each season. In true Philadelphia quirky incongruence, the Academy has also showcased such events as an indoor football game in 1889 (Penn vs. Princeton), Phillies pitcher Tug McGraw accompanying Peter Nero and the Philly Pops in a reading of "Casey at the Bat," a Mr. America contest, wrestling matches, and indoor skating.
Arts & Culture: Museums throughout the U.S. are offering First Friday programs to attract an audience who may view spending time at a museum as an ill-spent afternoon with a doting elderly relative, or heading up a fieldtrip with a pack of neighborhood children because they were coerced into doing so. First Friday programs are festive events being offered by numerous museums to shed that stodgy, stuffy erroneous predisposition some folk maintain toward museums.
It may not be the second coming of Studio 54, but
these events are great social gatherings. Numerous centers of refined cultural affairs remain open the first Friday evening of the month to offer drinks, dancing, food, and live music or DJs to encourage people to frequent museums more often.
Albeit an oxymoron to utilize such phraseology, the participating museums' marketing efforts are instant classics. First Friday events are increasing in popularity. Across the nation restaurants, retailers, and various businesses are uniting with museums to participate in the mixed-fun galas. ABSOLUT sponsors the monthly event at Chicago's Museum of Contemporary
Art. Other big businesses are also getting involved.
These monthly soirees are transforming cultural zones in to must-attend fantastic fetes!
JustLuxe is a luxury Web publication providing objective analysis and information to affluent consumers to assist with their decision making, decisions such as charting a yacht, purchasing a jet membership card, booking a luxury hotel, traveling to a specific destination, or buying real estate. Our writers conduct interviews with industry executives and leaders in their fields, analyze product offerings and review the Web sites of leading companies to ensure our readers have up-to-date data to make informed decisions. Consumers can find purveyors of fine luxury goods, services and travel solutions throughout the pages of JustLuxe via content or with our advertising partners. See our Best of Luxury High end Brands and partners.
NewsletterSignUp
Sign up for regular updates on the latest
trends, ultimate destinations and hottest
deals on selective items.
rss | license content
| about | article archive | sitemap | search | newsletter | writers | recommended websites
Arts & Culture: Founded in 1974, The Clay Studio is Philadelphia's only nonprofit organization whose sole focus is on education and promotion of the ceramic arts, and is one of the leading international institutions in the field. Through artist residencies, studio space, a gallery, and school, educational and community outreach programs, The Clay Studio fulfills its mission as both a local arts institution deeply rooted in its immediate neighborhood and a member of the international ceramic arts community. 
Arts & Culture: Sixties American counter-culture has gone high-culture. Last summer, the Victoria and Albert Museum in London presented an exhibition of 1960's fashion and classic rock posters. Now, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the 1967 Summer of Love, the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York is hosting Summer of Love: Art of the Psychedelic Era, running through September 16. 
Arts & Culture: Though it may be summer, the holiday season will be here before we know it. The thought of holiday shopping may be daunting, but the smell of pine and the gathering of loved ones fill us with warm fuzziness. And with the arrival of sleigh bells, menorahs, and eggnog, comes the yearly production of the Nutcracker.
Arts & Culture: What began as a leisurely wine night among a close knit circle of friends has evolved into an empire of sorts. From its inception in 2002, the original "Rock 'n Roll crew" has made great strides in its attempt to combine the world's love of wine with its passion for rock 'n roll. 
Arts & Culture: The J. Paul Getty Museums are among the top art galleries, as these venues exhibit a kaleidoscope of cultural and educational events and activities year round at its two Southern California locations. The Los Angeles Getty is the J. Paul Getty Museum at the Getty Center, and the Malibu site is the J. Paul Getty Museum at the Villa in Malibu. The Villa in Malibu, which opened in January 2006, underwent a major renovation prior to its opening. 
Arts & Culture: Lovers of Egyptology who missed viewing Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs at its stops in Los Angeles, Fort Lauderdale and Chicago have one more opportunity to view Tut's treasures stateside. The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia will host Tut II's final American exhibition from February 3 through September 30, 2007. 
Arts & Culture: Natives fondly refer to Philadelphia's Academy of Music as "The Grand Old Lady of Locust Street," and as she celebrates her 150th birthday, the Grand Old Lady's elegance and cultural importance endures. Opened to the public on January 26, 1857, the Academy is a National Historic Landmark, the nation's oldest grand opera house that is still used for its original purpose. One of the busiest concert halls in the world, it plays host to a wide variety of cultural and civic activities, including performances by the Opera Company of Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania Ballet, and the Philadelphia Orchestra, the latter of which owns the Academy. 
Arts & Culture: Museums throughout the U.S. are offering First Friday programs to attract an audience who may view spending time at a museum as an ill-spent afternoon with a doting elderly relative, or heading up a fieldtrip with a pack of neighborhood children because they were coerced into doing so. First Friday programs are festive events being offered by numerous museums to shed that stodgy, stuffy erroneous predisposition some folk maintain toward museums.
Best Luxury Sedans 
Best Luxury Watches 
Best Sexy Lingerie 
Best Luxury Villas 
Top Sexiest Beaches 
