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Archive for October, 2009

After a day on the slopes in Aspen, Colorado, you
are probably ready to do some partying. The Aspen
club scene starts hopping shortly before the slopes
close. Many of the clubs have planned events ? and
some are just free-for-alls with music and dancing all
night long. No matter what kind of music you are into,
you will find it in Aspen.

Most of the lodges and hotels in Aspen have bars or
clubs. Some have multiple bars, clubs, or lounges ?
so start your search for Aspen nighttime
entertainment at your lodge or hotel. You can
usually find a friendly game of pool in almost any bar
before the music and dancing begin.

The easiest way to find the type of music and dancing
that is most enjoyable to you is to pick up a copy of
Aspen Magazine’s Traveler’s Guide. This guide will
provide you with a list of Aspen hotspots, and let you
know what you can expect at each club or bar. If you
will be drinking, make sure that you don’t drive your
car. Walk or take advantage of the public transportation
or taxi services in the Aspen area.

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Founded in 1983 by Kent Reed, Theatre in the Park
has become an Aspen tradition that adds to the
delight of Aspen nightlife. Theatre in the Park once
actually was theatre that was performed in a tent in
the park. Now, however, Theatre in the Park has
changed its name to Theatre Aspen, and a new
permanent structure is in development. This will
allow Theatre in the Park to hold year-round
performances, instead of summer-only performances.

Contemporary and classical plays are all presented
by the theatre. If you are in Aspen around Christmas
time, make sure that you see the theatre’s
presentation of “Its A Wonderful Life.” As a summer-
only venue, sixty shows are performed each year.
Once the company has its permanent structure, we
can expect many more each year.

The Theatre Aspen also has many training programs
for adults and children. Currently, performances are
held between June and August. The Theatre in the
Park is located in the Rio Grande Park. Heat is
provided on chilly nights, and there is an area to enjoy
cocktails during intermissions, as well as before and
after performances.

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Christmas music in the form of carols, songs stringed or instrumental
renditions, is constantly heard during the Christmas season. Music forms the
background against which everything else takes place to make the Christmas
season different from all others. Christmas music plays such a significant role
that during the entire season, other popular music temporarily disappears from
radio. That may be the reason for all the different types of Christmas music –
sacred, secular, popular and traditional – that have emerged throughout the
years.
Popular and secular renditions of Christmas music has been developed by
musical artists and performers who ‘make over’ classic styles of Christmas music
with their own personal touch. One reason for popular make overs of Christmas
music may be because regular popular music is not heard during the holiday
season so pop musicians and artists do Christmas music to keep their voices
always in earshot of their fans and the general audience. It could also be that
they want to capitalize on the popularity of Christmas music.
Whatever the reason, it has become a trend for popular musical artists to
release new Christmas or holiday music albums during the season. Since variety
is the spice of life, it means there are more variations of secular, sacred,
classical or traditional and popular renditions of Christmas music that can be
heard.
Music at Christmas time is important to create the right mood. The
prevalence of Christmas music is what helps to create the special holiday type
of feeling or spirit that is present everywhere and among everyone. Everyone has
particular Christmas songs and carols that are favorites, maybe for the melody,
the lyrics or because they are reminders of special memories.
The most popular Christmas song is said to be ‘White Christmas,’ which is
popular even in warm and tropical climates where people sing of ‘dreaming of a
White Christmas,’ which in reality they would not want. Other popular Christmas
songs and carols are: Away in a Manger, which tells the Nativity story in song;
O Holy Night, Silent Night, Joy to the World, Hark the Herald Angels and Angels
we have Heard on High.
All of those songs are sacred and are all about the story of Jesus’ birth. Of
note also is Handel’s majestic ‘Hallelujah Chorus,’ which is a favorite that
choirs like to sing because of the splendor embodied in the music.
Nat King Cole’s ‘Chestnut Roasting On an Open Fire’ is a classical favorite. It
defies categorization as it isn’t sacred but is also not considered secular like
a song such as ‘Sleigh Ride.’ Among secular Christmas songs, there are also
funny ones such as ‘I Saw Mummy Kissing Santa Claus Underneath the Mistletoe
Last Night’ and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. The availability of a wide
Christmas music selection makes it possible to choose ones for different
occasions, such as for general use at home, for a fun or informal party or for a
formal dinner. As an example, selections can be made to create the right mood at
the start of a party, followed by more lively music when the party is in full
swing, and then selections to slow down the pace when the party is nearing its
end.
It’s also important to note that professional groups such as choirs, symphonies
and orchestras will also record performances of Christmas music on albums. For
the very serious and critical music aficionados, these albums will provide
wonderful listening pleasure and also make good Christmas presents. Listening to
music from those groups is also a way of enjoying their performances if doesn’t
get the opportunity to attend a live concert by the professional group.
Whatever selections of Christmas music are made however, it’s likely that it
will create a festive mood and spirit among all who hear or are listening to the
music.

In New York, a style capital of the world, black is always a chic and
fashionable selection. That’s even more so in the Fall and Winter seasons when
dark colors are favored. But even the fashionistas who like somber colors add a
bit of sparkle and cheer to Christmas and holiday clothing with some color,
usually magnificent red.
Dominant colors at Christmas are red, black and white and a red scarf, or
a white one, is a must-have accessory.
Holiday-themed apparel with snowflakes, candy canes, stars, Christmas
trees, are also popular during the season. Along with being colorful, they also
convey the message that the person is fully embracing the spirit of the season
and is in a festive mood. When individuals wear holiday-themed apparel, they are
therefore radiating a positive attitude and giving the signal that it is
pleasant to be around them. After all, nobody wants to be around the ‘grumpy
bah-humbug’ type of personalities during the Christmas season.
Holiday-themed jewelry also works well as accessories. These can add that
little sparkle to an outfit that makes it stand out in an admirable way.
Holiday-themed jewelry is also perfect for those individuals who simply want to
show a touch of the holiday spirit without having to actually wear holiday-
themed apparel because it maybe too different from the conservative style of
their wardrobe.
It is necessary to add some sparkle to apparel during the Christmas season
and current style trends of having jewel-engraved or embroidered tops play well
for the Christmas season. They will allow the wearer to look festive in a very
understated but elegant way.
Fall popular styles will also undoubtedly be a fashionable way to dress
for the holidays. Based on the Fall Fashion Shows in New York, there are five
basic outfits that stylists say should be in the wardrobe of all women. They
are: the Tunic, Winter Short – which is cut just above the knee – the Vest,
Pencil Skirt and the Super-wide pant.
The vest can be a dressy one with embroidery or other adornments, or it
can be more minimal based on the overall outfit. The Winter Short and Pencil
Skirt can easily convert from working outfit to party wear with the right
accessory, making them perfect to wear to an early evening Christmas or holiday
party. A variation from the Pencil Skirt is the Pencil dress. This too is likely
to be popular for Christmas as it can be easily accessorized with a broad belt,
which is one of the accessories that top fashion advisers say is a ‘must-have’
accessory for the Fall.
The Tunic and Super-wide pant are also liked for Christmas and the Holiday
season because they are very flexible in how they can be paired with other
garments.
Another fall fashion staple are Knit Sweaters – oversized and as tunics. They
will also work well with black tights and leggings, which has made a comeback in
leg wear. Leggings can be worn under skirts or dresses. Very slim leggings can
also be worn simply in place of pants, worn with a jacket or again, with an
oversized knit sweater. Using the basic colors of red, white and black that are
popular during Christmas and the holidays, colored leggings will definitely add
a nice touch of style to outfits and make them seem perfect for the Christmas
and holiday season.
It is also good that dresses are once more welcomed among the fashionable.
And the red dress for Fall fits well into Christmas and the holiday season.
The latest in jeans, which is a mainstay in everyone’s wardrobe and suitable to
wear at all times including during Christmas and the holidays, is that a skinny
fit is in. And if ultra-skinny is not very complimentary to your body shape, you
can still get one of the newer types of jeans that are said to have a lot more
stretch, giving a 360-degree or all-around wrap to the body for a perfect or
near perfect fit.
And since Christmas is the season to be happy and cheery, the truly jolly
can always top off their Christmas outfit with a cone-shaped, red and white
Santa hat.

Nov. 24 ? Black Friday ? the day after Thanksgiving, you have time off from work and it’s the official start of the Christmas season
and of Christmas shopping. Stores are open 3-4 hours earlier and they close later. Holiday sales begin, it’s the first time that some
items will be available?. but definitely won’t be among the crazies up at 4am to get to the top of the line to make some wild dash for
the $99 flat-screen television or the Crazy Elmo toy. (Black Friday is the second single biggest shopping day for retailers and got its
name because in the days of old so much shopping was done on this day that it would turn the tide for many stores and put them in the
black, or, make them profitable.)
Dec. 2 ? First Saturday in December ? weekends are important because it means free time to shop. The early holiday and Christmas
shopper should be more than halfway through shopping list. Average shoppers are just starting to browse.
Dec. 3 ? First Sunday ? weekend Christmas shopping can be done but stores close the usual earlier time on Sundays.
Dec. 7 ? Pearl Harbor Day ? it isn’t recognized by most but is very important to war veterans. The President usually gives a speech to
a Veterans group and lays a wreath in honor of those who died on Pearl Harbor Day and in World War II.
Dec. 9 ? Second Saturday ? only two full weeks to go before Christmas. Where did the time go and where did the year go? To your
disguised annoyance, you are starting to hear the ubiquitous phrase, ‘Finished all your Christmas shopping yet?’ Christmas shopping
has to pick up speed or panic will set in. You are running out of time to enjoy some quality Christmas entertainment with your family.
Dec. 10 ? Second Sunday ? go to church if you haven’t been attending so that you won’t look like a ‘Christmas only attendee.’ Need
to squeeze in some shopping and must start sending out Christmas greeting cards this week.
Dec. 16 ? Third Saturday, First Day of Hanukkah ? it’s unbelievable that there’s only one full week to go before Christmas. Make
supermarket shopping list for Christmas Eve and Christmas dinner preparations.
Dec. 17 ? Third Sunday ? exactly one week before Christmas. Make sure Christmas toys and presents in hiding are still undiscovered.
Make final plans for family dinner on Christmas Day.
Dec. 21 ? oh dear me!!! Only three days to go before Christmas. Do last minute planning, get as many chores as possible out of the
way, finish all Christmas and supermarket shopping. Assign final preparatory tasks to family members as necessary. Go over plans for
Christmas Dinner.
Dec. 22 ? First Day of Winter ? My goodness!! you still have shopping to do!!? You dread going to the mall this weekend. Pray for a
miracle to find one of those needle in a haystack salesperson who will hold hand and get you 95% through your Christmas shopping
list.
Dec. 23 ? Last Saturday before Christmas ? Now The Single Biggest Shopping Day of the Year!!!! The mall is absolutely crazy and
there are no sales people anywhere. It’s a zoo everywhere ? on the roads, in the supermarket, even at the gas station people are
honking, hollering at the gas attendant to pump faster! But you know what ? stopped at my favorite pastry store and was in and out in
a nanosecond? there was no line!!
Dec. 24 ? Christmas Eve ? downtown is glorious, everything is so splendid and magical?. will go to Midnight Mass?. Christmas is
the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!!!!