Historic Jamestown Virginia

Historic Colonial Williamsburg * Williamsburg, Virginia (downtown) * http://www.history.org/
In this very pristine historic living history town costumed actors bring to life the incendiary passions of the Revolution on the streets of Colonial Williamsburg so that the future may learen from the past. While you can do historic Williamsburg without purchasing a ticket, they highly encourage it and emphasize that its a must (though I didn’t have any problems without a pass). I didn’t bother with one because I only went in the evenings and late afternoons - maybe that’s why. If you’ve got it, buy a pass to help support this wonderful project. General admission passes include access to a variety of Historic Area buildings and exhibits, the Museums of Colonial Williamsburg, and regular daytime programs. Some offer discounts on evening performances and other perks. Bus transportation is included in your Colonial Williamsburg admission. Access to as many as 20 to 40 Historic Area buildings and exhibits (depending on season and operating schedules), such as the Capitol, Raleigh Tavern, Great Hopes Plantation, all historic trades sites (wheelwright, blacksmith, silversmith, milliner, wigmaker, etc.), all gardens, and all original 18th-century exhibition sites (the Courthouse, Gaol, Magazine, and the homes of Peyton Randolph and George Wythe), along with admission to Revolutionary City®. Check Colonial Williamsburg This Week for openings. Also includes Capitol tour, orientation tour, regular daytime programs*, and viewing of the movie classic Williamsburg—The Story of a Patriot. Plus, free parking at the Visitor Center and use of Historic Area shuttle buses. ($37/adults; $18 for ages 6-17)

Colonial Williamsburg is the historic district of Williamsburg, Virginia and consists of many of the buildings that existed from 1699 to 1780 that formed the colonial capital of Williamsburg and a thriving pivotal point of the historic triangle (Jamestown and Yorktown). It was once the center for Government, education, and culture in the Colony of Virginia. As a historical re-enactment village, its meant to be an interpretation of a Colonial American city with exhibits including dozens of authentic and accurately-recreated colonial houses, shops, and activity grounds including the Raleigh Tavern, the Capital building, the Governor’s Palace, and Bruton Parish Church. The Historic area is located just east of the College of William and Mary that was founded at Middle Plantation in 1693 just prior to the establishment of the town as capital of Virginia. the restoration and recreation of Colonial Williamsburg, one of the largest historic restorations ever undertaken, was championed by the Reverend Dr. W.A.R. Goodwin and the patriarch of the Rockefeller family, John D. Rockefeller, Jr., along with the active participation of his wife, Abby Aldrich Rockefeller, who wanted to celebrate the patriots and the early history of the United States.
Rating: 5 stars out of 5. Visited 5/20/08, 5/21/08, and 5/22/08.

Grave-Sweeping Day In Beijing

My first year in China, Grave-Sweeping Day wasn’t an official state holiday, but this year it became a government-approved day off from work. Lee In China explains how to celebrate this holiday (thankfully, no fireworks are involved):

Today is a national holiday in China, Tomb Sweeping Day. It’s when the Chinese go to the graves or tombs of their ancestors and clean them out, to show respect for them. So they clean out the tomb, put in fresh flowers, that sort of thing.

Since I’m not Chinese this has become Alcohol Swigging Day, to be followed by Partying Your Balls Off Night, culminating in Saturday Morning Hangover.

Related: Grave-Sweeping Day in Yantai, 2006

Pioneer Square, Seattle, Washington

Pioneer Square
http://www.pioneersquare.org/. The heart of the city, where it all began. Thriving in history and many tales of times passed. This historic section of Seattle will enrich your spirit just from strolling past the historically preserved architecture that looms above you. There is over 20 blocks of Victorian Romanesque architecture, over 30 fine art galleries, and over 200 unique shoppes. In addition to coffee houses and restaurants, its also a section of Seattle’s thriving nightclubs - bringing entertainment to the city from the city’s birth. Rating: 4 1/2 stars out of 5. Visited 12/27/06.

Cripple Creek, Colorado

Historic Cripple Creek From Colorado Springs via US 24 and SR 67, or the adventurous “Gold Camp Road” thru the mountains Cripple Creek Welcome Center, 5th and Bennett, PO BOX 430, Cripple Creek, CO 80813; 719-689-3315 Population: 1,115 Elevation: 9,508′ “There be Gold in dem Hills” … “Pikes Peak or Bust …” and many rumors of ‘gold’ ‘color’ on what was once the Womack Ranch brought curious prospectors into the area, especially after Bob Womack made the first major gold strike in 1891. Bob rode to Colorado City (aka Colorado Springs all grown up), spending lots of money and bragging about his claim. He sold it for $500 not realizing that through history it would yield more than $350 million in gold. 1891 saw the “$300 million cow pasture” dotted with prospectors like a disturbed ant mound with ants. The town was created and within 2 years had a population of 18,000. Destroyed in 1896 by wild rampage fires, it was rebuilt and even though the boom ended in 1904, many still seek the area and the shafts still yield gold today. With the wealth came gambling, hustling, casinos, strippers, and prostitution; much of which exist today minus any blatant stripping and prostitution focusing on entertainment and tourism traps. Rating: 3 1/2 stars out of 5. Visited 10/13/06.  Cripple Creek, Colorado photos © 2006 Technogypsie.com

Me, Downtown Cripple Creek larger sepia image photos © 2006 Technogypsie.com   Cripple Creek, Colorado photos © 2006 Technogypsie.com

Dance Extroadinaire: Sun Shier Dance Company (Colorado Springs, Colorado)

Sunday, 9 July 2006 - Part III
Dance Extroadinaire - Colorado Springs, Colorado

Colorado College Summer Programs: Extroadinary Dance - Faculty Performance Gala, 2006 Summer Festival of the Arts 7:30 PM - Armstrong TheaterSun Shier Dance Company Title: Jacquelyn Music: Dinaresade Dancers: Hsiu-Ping Chang, Chia-Hao-Chiang, Wen-San Ho, Wei-Lun Lee, Yi Chieh Len, Pi-Jung Wu 30dance.com The Sun Shier Dance Company did a performance for the Gala Extroadinary Dance festival in Colorado Springs early July 2006. “Jacquelyn” was a theatrical dance about the whims of fashion and how it has become a uniform - from self-assigned identification with particular social dispositions - the game of fashion in the message of this dance, is that imitiation perpetuates itself, just like the duplication of a gene - and those similarities and duplications are so ingrained, that one could imagine a world full of mirrors reflecting the same view of humans. This unique dance theater was founded by Hsiu-Ping Chang and Pi-Jung Wu in 1997 - over the years have invited more than 20 choreographers and theater professionals to work for the productions as a team. Their performance during Dance Extroadinaire was fabulous. Incredible performance: 4.5 stars out of 5.   Sun Shier Dance Company

Sun Shier Dance Company

Colorado Renaissance Faire (Castle Rock, CO)

Colorado Renaissance Faire
Month of July
303) 688-6010 or write 409-F South Wilcox Street, Castle Rock, CO 80104
http://www.coloradorenaissance.com/
It’s been awhile since I’ve attended a Renaissance Faire, and those that I did attend, were not permanent structures and so well organized as Colorado’s in historic Castle Rock. Large castle of enchantment with many village squares, stores, keeps, a museum, a maze, a climbing wall; kids were able to ride elephants, camels, horses, and llamas … much merriment and some spectacular shows …. fun for all ages … from kid rides to adult entertainment. The Ren Faire won’t let you down; bring your shillings as there is much to buy and eat … A good time was had by all … Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5.

Dance Extroadinaire: Richard Durnford (Colorado Springs, Colorado)

Sunday, 9 July 2006 - Part II
Dance Extroadinaire - Colorado Springs, Colorado

Colorado College Summer Programs: Extroadinary Dance - Faculty Performance Gala, 2006 Summer Festival of the Arts 7:30 PM - Armstrong TheaterRichard Durnford Solo Extremity The first opening performance was Richard Durnford doing extremity dance on a pole that leans towards the audience reaching almost to the ceiling of the theater. Richard Durnford is a well known performer and teacher of Circus Arts (he has been teaching since 1988) and is part of the internationally renowned Bongo Bolero. He trained at the French National Circus School, the San Francisco School of Circus Arts, and the Circus Space in London. He currently teaches Ashtanga Yoga at the Colorado College Extraodinary Dance Festival. bongobolero.com. Incredible performance: 4.5 stars out of 5.   Richard Durnford

Richard Durnford

Gothnic (Denver, Colorado)

Gothnic 2006; Photo by © 2006 Technogypsie.com Fire show Photo ©2006 Simulana

Gothnic is the annual Picnic in the Park for the Colorado Goth community. Occurs once a year in a selected park in Denver, its a great place to mingle, chat, and hang out with those of like minds and music. A great potluck spread contributed by the whole community, games of badmitton, volleyball, and frisbee can be found as activities. 2006 was blessed with an incredible bagpipe performance and fire spinner enchanting us as darkness falls. I had a blast and I want to thank the organizers and community for a splendid event. Rating 5 stars out of 5. 2006 Gothnic.  Gothnic 2006; Photo by © 2006 Technogypsie.com

Plaza Del Arte Festival (Denver, Colorado)

 

Plaza del Arte Festival (Downtown Denver, Colorado) Annually the downtown Denver streets are held siege with an invasion of colored chalk and multi-inspirational artisans reminescent of Europe’s famous plaza artists … A plethera of artwork covers a couple streets blocked off for viewing over the weekend … shoppes, food, concessions, and vendors also add to the bustle making this street fair spectacular. As me and Christina wandered down the streets peering at the talents of many-a-artist …. I couldn’t bear not to take pictures of these masterpieces deserving to be captured for posterity … as they’ll fade come monday and tuesday …. even the kid’s area where anyone could take to the streets and create their own art was impressive in its own array as a sea of powdered chalk concrete loomed before us. Not to miss …. Review Rating of a 4.5 out of 5. (visited 6/18/2006).

Cherry Blossom Festival (Denver, Colorado)

Cherry Blossom Festival (Annually, Denver, Colorado) Tri-State/Denver Buddhist Temple, 1947 Lawrence Street, Denver, Colorado 80202 * 303.295.1844 A free annual festival that is put on by the Tri-State Denver Buddhist Temple downtown Denver each June to celebrate the cultural heritage of Japanese Americans. Lots to do and eat - the Festival greets the attendees with an assortment of Japanese cuisine ranging from teriyaki chicken and beef, noodles, sushi, green tea, and a beer garden. Entertainment throughout the day from skits, music, dance, folk customs, and singing. This years entertainment focused on Taiko with Toni; Denver Taiko; and Mirai Daiko; Koto with Shofu Kai; Odori Dance with the Denver Buddhist Temple Dancers, DBT Minyo, Ayame Minyo Kai, and Shirakaba No Kai; Shigin with Kokusei Kai, Tohoku Shamisen Houzan-Kai; Karoake; Ikebana; Aikido; Judo; Kendo; Iaido; Jojutsu; Naginata; and much more. Shopping with the local vendors will award you with treasures to take home from handmade jewelry, ceramics, vintage kimono, anime, and handicrafts. Demonstrations on bonsai, shodo (calligraphy), ikebana (flower arrangement), and chanoyu (the tea ceremony) and free lectures on Buddhism. Review Rating of a 3 out of 5. (visited 6/17-18/2006).

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