February
9 - 18,
2007 Detroit Boat Show - Detroit, Michigan
The 49th annual Detroit boat show runs from Feburary 10th to the 18th.
The Detroit Boat Show has been in existence for 49 years and is known as the “Premier” boating event in the State of Michigan.
More than 80,000 Michigan residents are expected to visit more than 200 exhibitors and see 1000 new 2007 model boats of all types and sizes during the 49th Annual Detroit Boat Show scheduled for February 10 –18, 2007 at Cobo Center.
Boat show attractions scheduled for 2007 include: The Live Sting Ray Exhibit and Touch Tank, The Power Boat Docking Challenge, Captain Willie’s Pirate Island, The Huck Finn Catch & Release Trout Pond, Antique & Classic Boats, Cooking Demonstrations and taste testing, Antique & Classic Boats, Boating Kids Clinic, the Extreme Sports Zone, The Captain’s Club Lounge, The Discover Boating Center, The Inflatable Playground, and Salty Dog and much more.
February
10 - 11,
2007 Eaglefest 2007 - Emory, Texas
Eagle Fest was started as an educational effort to expand our knowledge of nature and our heritage. Each year the festival included educational displays, exhibitions and lectures; Native American art and performances;; live music; and nature tours. This year will be our eleventh annual event, to be held at the Rains ISD Schools Campus on US 69, Northwest of Emory, Texas February 10-11, 2007.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife and the US Army Corps of Engineers are always a huge part of the event providing speakers, water safety exhibits, tour guides and nature exhibits.
Eagle Fest is also privileged to provide two famous bird rehabilitation organizations. On the Wing Again provides an opportunity for kids and adults to see birds up close as they walk though the exhibit and have guides teach all about these wonderful animals and point out their unique features and abilities. Last Chance Forever provides shows of birds in action. They demonstrate the interaction between man and his environment with such birds of prey as owls, vultures, falcons, hawks and eagles. Making his first appearance this year will be Silverfox (bio or video), an Apache flute player.
February
15 - 18,
2007 Pacific Orchid Expo - San Fransico, California
The annual Pacific Orchid Expo runs from February 15h to 18th in San Fransico.
Orchids are found on every continent except Antarctica and thrive in diverse climates, from the hot jungles of the South American Amazon River to the cool slopes of the Andes and Himalayas. More than 50 orchid nurseries from around the world will display their breathtaking rarities of nature and offer exceptional opportunities for orchid lovers to purchase orchids that will enhance the beauty of their homes, apartments and gardens. These incredible orchid displays continue to heat up the greenhouse with new species and hybrids. Grown to perfection, orchids themselves have become cool centerpieces and hot trendsetting statements in homes, offices, art galleries, restaurants and everywhere in between.
Promising one of the most diverse selections of orchids in the country, this year’s show will feature the hottest displays and collections coupled with docent tours and demonstrations on the coolest trends in the orchid world. The 2007 Pacific Orchid Exposition will provide opportunities for beauty lovers of all ages to take part in the time-honored art of orchid cultivation and appreciation.
February
17 - 19,
2007 Coconut Grove Festival - Miami, FL
The 44th annual Coconut Grove Festival runs from February 17th to the 19th.
The Festival attracts more than 150,000 people annually to view the works of over 330 of the finest artists and craftsmen in the world. A signature event of the South Florida cultural calendar, the Arts Festival offers visitors the opportunity to meet with exhibiting artists, sample fine cuisine, enjoy live entertainment and take a walk through history. And for the kids, they too can create their own works of art in our Coconut Grove Bank Kids Creative Corner. Last year approximately 4 million dollars of artwork was sold in three days at the show.
February
18 - 20,
2007 Carnival - Rio De Janerio, Brazil
Carnival runs from February 17th to the 20th.
In Rio de Janeiro will you encounter the mesmerising multi-sensory effects of the parade of samba schools. Combined, the extravagance of the floats, the colorful brilliance of the costumes, the magic of the music, the infectious laughter and the energy of the dancers makes for a complete integration of the arts. And, the excitement of the crowd is absolutely unimaginable! It all takes place in the Sambodromo, a half-mile long pathway built specifically to hold the event in 1984. At the end of the path (known as the Apoteose), each school has just over an hour to perform beneath the stands of nearly 100,000 spectators, trying to convince the crowd and judges of their superiority. Each school’s parade is the dramatic realization of a plot through their music, dance, costumes, and floats. The Samba schools, now copied nationwide, were founded in Rio, making Cariocas nearly as passionate supporters of certain samba schools as they are fans of certain soccer teams. Join the Cariocas, and decide for yourself which school deserves the champion title. Allow yourself to enjoy the fantasy of a lifetime by celebrating Carnival in Rio!
In addition to the parade, Rio is known worldwide for its’ street parties. Here, the magic of the parade is recreated improvisationally as people dance and sing to the endless beats of samba. The streets overflow with an exhuberance impossible to match. People from all walks of life radiate the joy of Carnival.
Rio de Janeiro is also famous for its elaborate Carnival costume balls. Some of the best are found in five star hotels, the Sugar-Loaf Ball, and the Gala Gay. Group after group of live artists keep the people moving all night long. The balls generally kick off around 11:00 p.m. and the people don’t stop until the early morning!
Mardi Gras takes place this year on Feburary 20th.
It is New Orleans' premiere party season! It's time to enjoy life, party, and have a good time! It's irresistibly fun, vibrant, sarcastic, and sassy! If you understand how this city hums during the day and sings at night, you may be able to envision its celebration of Mardi Gras.
Mardi Gras is music, parades, picnics, floats, excitement ... and one big holiday in New Orleans! Everyone is wearing purple, green, and gold; and adorned with long beads caught from the beautiful floats. They sit on the ground throwing balls, playing music, having a picnic, and watching the crowds walk by between parades.
All of the businesses and roads are practically shut down -- people are walking everywhere and meeting new friends. People are dressed in crazy costumes, kids are everywhere, and they love it!
February 22 -
March 4,
2007 Montreal High Lights Festival - Montreal, Canada
The 8th Annual Montreal High Lights Festival runs from February 22nd to March 4th.
This year, the Hydro-Quebec Celebration of Light, the festive and thrilling outdoor program of the Montreal High Lights Festival, outdoes itself wth a program on non-stop entertainment. Still beaming from last year's inaugural success on the Festival's new site in Old Montreal and Quays of the Old Port, organizers have conceived a roster of brilliant new events to warm hearts and fire the imaginations of all who flock to the new locations.
Over two long weekends-Thursday, Feb. 22, to Sunday, Feb 25, and Friday, March 2 to Sunday, March 4, 2007-the party sets the very heart of winter aglow with a rich array of activities to tempt even the most timid out of hibernation.
February
22 - 25,
2007 Master of Food & Wine - Carmel, California
Masters of Food and Wine runs from Feburary 22nd to the 25th.
The Masters of Food & Wine is one of the most highly acclaimed food and wine experiences in the industry today. Masters of Food & Wine celebrates fine cuisine and wine as a common international language; drawing on an exclusive roster of chefs and vintners.
Their annual event is held at the Highlands Inn, Park Hyatt Carmel, located along the magnificent, breathtaking coastline of Carmel, California. Internationally recognized as one of the most spectacular gatherings of celebrated chefs and winemakers, the Masters of Food & Wine features rare vertical wine tastings, unique culinary demonstrations by acclaimed chefs, and extravagant luncheons and dinners.
This year’s 21st anniversary celebration of the Masters of Food & Wine will include more than 60 prestigious wineries from around the world and host Michelin Three Star chefs.
February 24 -
March 17,
2007 FNB Dance Umbrella - Johannesburg, South Africa
The FNB Dance Umbrella runs from February 24th to March 17th.
The FNB Dance Umbrella is the definitive, annual platform for South African contemporary dance at which new choreographic creations are presented. It is an open platform, which includes performances of youth and community groups, the efforts of young choreographers and commissioned works from professional practitioners. Foreign dance companies also show work, often with assistance from their respective diplomatic missions. Among the major objectives of the Dance Forum is to create a space for new work and the Dance Umbrella's role in the development of contemporary dance in this country cannot be underestimated.
February 25 -
March 2,
2007 Khajuraho Dance Festival - Madhya Pradesh, Khajuraho, India
Held every year from February 25th to March 2nd, Khajuraho Dance Festival takes place at the open-air auditorium in front of the Chitragupta Temple dedicated to the Sun God and the Vishwanatha Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. They are situated in the Western Group of temples, which is the largest, well maintained and most easily accessible temple group of Khajuraho. Started regularly since 2002, this weeklong festival has already become legendary with its outlandish classical dance performances presented in a dreamlike setting of splendidly illuminated temples. Khajuraho temples present sculptures depicting various skills and arts of courtly love including dance and music in stone and what venue can be more befitting to hold the cultural festival highlighting the various classical dances of India.
Some of the best artists and performers that have marked themselves in their fields come from the various states of India to participate in the festival and the performances including some of the best known dance styles such as the intricate footwork of Kathak, highly stylized and sophisticated Bharathanatyam, soft lyrical temple dance of Odissi, the dance dramas of Kuchipudi, Manipuri, the dance of rare and ancient civilization and Kathakali stage fights with elaborate masks. Recently, modern Indian dances have also found their place in the Khajuraho Dance festival. Along with the dance performances one can also see a number of craftsmen trading off their indigenous arts and crafts to the visitors.
The grand opening of "La Feria de Abril" is "El Alumbrado" (the lighting)which begins every year with the official lighting of the lanterns where half a million little lights are turned on at once, especially at the main gate. The fair is officially opened on Monday at midnight, normally 2 weeks after Semana Santa (Holy Week/Easter), and ends with a fireworks display the following Sunday, again, at midnight.
The Feria, where the natural beauty of the Sevillian girls and women is enhanced by the typical flamenca dresses, is an ideal place for cordiality and friendship amongst glasses of manzanilla wine (sherry), some tapas (small andalusian snacks) to eat, with singing an couples dancing Sevillanas (a specific version of the flamenco dance). The most important reason for going to the fair is just to have a good time with friends, enjoying it in a festive surrounding.
The “casetas” are made of a metal base and then covered with a green or red pin-striped canvas, each stripe about 10 cm. wide. At the outside of the tent you will find banisters and little triangle-shaped flags. The flags crown the facade of the tent with a baroque style, and sometimes show the casetas' name or logo. Also required are striped curtains at the entrance with a small canvas roof.
The inside of the tents are divided into three parts, usually separated by curtains. The first is the noble part which can not have advertising and is usually decorated by the tenants. The decoration should camouflage the second part. The floor is generally made of wooden planks. In the noble part a floor is set up suited for dancing. There are more than a thousand individual tents (casetas) but still there are so many petitions for casetas that must be rejected, that city officials start considering a new location for the fair.
Seville’s April Fair was founded in 1846, surprisingly, by two none-sevillians, a Basque and a Catalan. The initial aim of these two industrious founders was no other than to improve business (trade and agriculture). However, in a few years time the local people managed to change the character of the fair into something more festive. It has now converted to one of the mayor folkloric celebrations in Spain and one of the main tourist attractions of Seville.
Even so, the local people still do trade and close deals at the fair, still complying with the original intentions of the April fair.
