14
Dec

Our Latest Work: NEW New Year’s Eve Bashes

Posted on December 14th, 2009 :: Posted in Announcement, Published Work

We’re from New York City. We love New York City. The annual dropping of the ball on New Year’s Eve is an absolutely great New York City tradition.

However, there are other great places to ring in the New Year.

If you want to head for a new country for New Year’s Eve, check out our review of Casa de Mita in Nayarit, Mexico. A handful of sexy luxe rooms, cozy beach location, great service, all inclusive rates that include alcohol and a swim up bar that will change your mind about swim up bars make this a great international New Year’s Eve escape.

Research for our latest story for Every Day with Rachael Ray magazine lead us to four US cities–Telluride, Monterey, Tempe and New Orleans–that throw travel-worthy New Year’s Eve celebrations.

Read it here first!

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1
Oct

Blues & Brews – Telluride, CO (Day 3)

Posted on October 1st, 2009 :: Posted in Mountains, Music, USA, video

Sunday got started off right with a hearty breakfast at the Telluride Elk’s Lodge which has a funky long bar along one wall, a stage in the back (where a singer/songwriter serenaded diners) and enormous stuffed elk heads all over the place. Then it was onward to the final day of this awesome festival.

The Lee Boys kick off Sunday with some sacred steel.

The Lee Boys kicked off Sunday's performances with some slammin' sacred steel.

Most of Sunday was a bright sunny day at the festival.

Most of Sunday lived up to the name with plenty of bright sunshine.

Almost every musician at the festival made it a point to mention that Telluride is, by far, the most beautiful stage setting they’ve ever played at. Many whipped out cameras to capture the scene from the stage for themselves. Ryan from Umphrey’s McGee went one better and pulled out his Flip video camera during a break between songs.

One not so popular side effect of playing Telluride is the altitude (over 8,700′) which makes the air thin and the performing hard. Oxygen tanks were supplied backstage and plenty of musicians used them to get through their sets.

Super Chickan and the Fighting Cocks (his all-girl band) brought the Delta Blues straight from Clarksdale, Mississippi.

Super Chickan and the Fighting Cocks.

The festival had a fun kids area with various games and rides like the bungi jump.

The festival had a fun kids' area with various games and rides like the bungee jump.

Sunday brought a sunnier Mardi Gras parade than the day before.

Mardi Gras parade.

Ruthie Foster.

After a sunny day, a nasty 10 minute wind and hail storm blew in just as Bonnie Raitt's set begain.

After sun for most of the day a nasty 10 minute wind and hail storm blew in just as Bonnie Raitt's set began.

After 3 days of sun, rain, hail, mud and music, this crew was not going to stop dancing for Bonnie Raitt & Taj Mahal.

After three days of sun, rain and hail this crew was not going to stop dancing to Bonnie Raitt and Taj Mahal (dubbed Bontaj Roulet) no matter what the weather threw at them.

A festival pro in the making.

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30
Sep

Blues & Brews – Telluride, CO (Day 2)

Posted on September 30th, 2009 :: Posted in Mountains, Music, USA, video

Did we mention the rain? It never down-poured and the glorious Colorado sunshine always returned but we did get enough of the wet stuff to make some quality mud pits to dance barefoot in. What do you expect during a September festival in the mountains!

The second day started off a bit rainy, but that didn't stop people from getting down in the mud.

Day 2 started out sunny, but it didn't last, much to the delight of these happy mud dancers.

Day 2 was extra wet for another reason besides the rain–it was the day the festival held the Grand Tasting. Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. (from Chico, CA where Karen grew up) was the festival’s anchor brewery but on Day 2 more than 50 microbrews tented up and poured their stuff for a very eager crowd. Once properly lubricated, we were treated to yet another day of kickass music.

Vieux Farka Toure, direct from Mali, helped warm up the crowd.

Some of our New Orleans favorites -- Anders Osbourne, Kirk Joseph and Simon Lott.

Some of our New Orleans favorites -- Anders Osborne, Kirk Joseph on sousaphone and Simon Lott working the drums.

What better way to add complement some New Orleand music than a Mardi Gras parade.

What better way to complement some New Orleans music than with a Mardi Gras-style parade through the crowd during Anders' set?

Of course no Mardi Gras parade is complete without throwing beads to the crowd. Festival Director Steve Gumble and family members helped from the stage.