Leadbelly Blues Festival

As an island known for its vibrant tropical energy and diverse entertainment options, Aruba is one of the best destinations in the Caribbean to experience live music. The capital city of Oranjestad is known as a hotbed of Caribbean jazz and latin music, as numerous clubs and concert halls host live bands throughout the year. Even outside the main tourist areas of Oranjestad, live music can be heard in restaurants and on the beaches. The island is also home to major music festivals, the Aruba Soul Beach Music Festival – an annual event held each May that showcases internationally-renowned soul and R&B artists – and the Aruba Music Festival – a two-day festival that welcomes top-selling classic rock groups, up-and-coming superstars and lesser-known regional artists. While events like the Aruba Music Festival are staged throughout the world, few festivals can boast the event’s unique combination of big-city entertainment and inviting Caribbean atmosphere.

Though only in its 8th official season, the Aruba Music Festival has already lured an incredible array of top-selling performers. Prior to becoming the Aruba Music Festival, the event was known as the Aruba Jazz and Latin Festival. Developed in the 1980s to showcase the Caribbean region’s rich musical tradition, the Aruba Jazz and Latin Festival was expanded and renamed in 2002. Though the Aruba Music Festival was created as a way to present top international touring acts, the festival has remained true to its roots and continues to offer performances by jazz and latin artists from throughout the Caribbean region.

While the lineup for this year’s festival has not yet been announced, the event is sure to feature famous classic rock acts, as well as many local, regional and up-and-coming international performers. In recent years, headlining acts at the Aruba Music Festival have included well-known classic rock bands such as Chicago, The Doobie Brothers, Styx, REO Speedwagon, Queen and Crosby Stills and Nash. The festival has also lured several internationally-recognized singer-songwriters such as Lionel Richie, Jackson Browne and contemporary favorite, John Mayer. Before the headliners take the stage each day at the Aruba Music Festival, the side stage heats up with a diverse array of musical styles, most provided by groups specialized in dance-friendly Caribbean genres.

The Aruba Music Festival takes place each year at the state-of-the-art Aruba Entertainment Center. The spacious outdoor venue allows concert-goers to enjoy the cool evening weather in a scenic setting located only five minutes drive from downtown Oranjestad and fifteen minutes drive from the island’s Hotel Zone. The Aruba Entertainment Center offers superior acoustics and the open, but intimate design ensures that all concert-goers have excellent views of the main stage. The venue features large general admission and open grass areas that allow concert-goers to stretch out on blankets and enjoy a relaxing, picnic-like experience, while those that prefer reserved seats will find excellent views near the stage. Behind the seating areas, a number of concession stands serve up food and drinks, including local brews and snacks.

As the Aruba Music Festival is staged just before the beginning of the peak tourism season, budget-conscious travelers visiting the island prior to the winter holidays are granted an excellent opportunity to experience the island’s vibrant music scene. Tourists visiting Aruba during the fall season will also be assured of excellent weather, as the island falls outside the storm belt that affects many Caribbean islands.

The Aruba Music Festival will take place this year on the weekend of October 9-10. After this year’s schedule of headlining acts is developed, updates about the festival can be found on Aruba’s official tourism website (http://www.aruba.com). As the schedule will appear prominently in local travel publications, travelers can also contact their resort for more details about the festival.

Do you like music? Whether it is rock, jazz, classical country, rap, easy listening or polka, music is important in our everyday lives. It can bring out a rainbow of emotions in us. The slow, soulful playing of violins can remind us of past loved ones. A strong beat can give us energy and motivation before starting an important task. And so-called “elevator music” helps to calm our nerves while waiting in doctors’ waiting rooms. Regardless of your background, such as being Amish and living in Amish Country Ohio, music is a part of your life. But how important is music to our babies?

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, for whom the Baby Mozart Music Festival DVD is named after, has become one of the most celebrated composers of all time. However, his musical achievements as a child are equally amazing. At the age of just three-years-old, Mozart was already playing the clavichord (basically, a small piano). One year later, he was already writing short pieces of music!

Signs of Mozart’s musical genius continued during his childhood. At just five-years-old, he gave his first concert at an Austrian university. At seven-years-old, Mozart once picked up a violin and played perfectly part of a musical piece that was new to him. Amazingly, Mozart had never had a single formal violin lessons! Young Mozart toured Europe for three years, and was featured in various concerts for kings and queens. When he returned to Austria, he wrote his first opera at the age of 11-years-old!

Will your child be the next Mozart? Well, whether or not your child is Amish and living in Amish Country Ohio, music is nonetheless important in his or her life. Here are some reasons why nurturing early childhood music is so vital:

1. Music can help to develop a child’s fine motor skills (i.e. using small muscle groups to play a piano) and gross motor skills (i.e. using large muscle groups to dance). In addition, music improves vocal, speaking and listening skills.

2. Rhythm and pitch are part of your child’s natural development. Sometimes children

would rather sing than listen, skip than walk, and dance instead of standing still. Is this normal? It is, and here is proof:

? A fetus is already aware of the heartbeat of his or her mother.

? For centuries, music and lullabies have become standard methods for helping babies to fall asleep.

? In what experts refer to as “The Mozart Effect,” exposure to classical music can have a significantly positive effect on humans’ physical and mental health. Several studies have proven this theory. And this beneficial effect of classical music influences not only adults, but children as well.

3. The sharing of musical instruments and playing in a “band” can help toddlers to learn important social skills.

4. Music can have an important influence on the development of a child’s brain, particularly through the age of six-years-old. During these years, the most significant brain development occurs.

5. Infants and toddlers tend to be less inhibited about making errors, than older children are. After children start elementary school, they are required to learn the “correct” way to sing a song or play an instrument. However, pre-school children can have jam session on a toy grand piano, without being worried about hitting the right keys. As a parent, try to grin and bear the sour notes.

Not every child can become a musical genius. However, regardless of whether or not you are Amish and living in Amish Country Ohio, music is fundamental in nurturing your child’s physical, mental, and social development. It is more than just music to his or her ears.

Switzerland is the high class jewel of Europe. This fabulous country situated in the very heart of Europe is the perfect travel destination for those who enjoy a unique blend of culture, modern sophistication and breathtaking landscapes. With the world-renown Swiss Alps and thriving cities such as Bern and Zurich, Switzerland is an all year round travel delight. From skiing and hiking to traditional folk entertainment and shopping, travel Switzerland is never a dull experience. Be sure to take a look at Switzerland Travel Guide before embarking on the vacation of your lifetime.

Although Switzerland is a medium-sized European country with a population of only 7.3 million it’s surprising how much variety it has to offer. The country is gorgeous any time of year and cities such as Zurich, Bern or Geneva should be part of your itinerary. Zurich, the financial capital of the world, is beautifully located on the tip of the Limmat River. The city’s must see attractions include the Gothic Fraumunter, the Fluntern Cemetery and the Church of Our Lady. Switzerland is also famous for its high class shopping locations such as the famous Bahnhofstrasse Street in Zurich. The historical city of Geneva also has much to offer: the world’s tallest fountain, the flower clock, the Chatedrale de St. Pierreand and the Musee de L’Horlogere – dedicated to Swiss watches. Switzerland Travel Guide offers detailed information on Switzerland accommodations, customs, attractions and costs.

The renowned Swiss Alps are definitely an important part of Switzerland’s unparalleled charm. If you’re planning to travel Switzerland during the winter season you’ll be absolutely delighted with everything it has to offer. The mountain peaks rise above 4,000m providing some fabulous skiing resorts, including St. Moritz and Klosters. Switzerland is also famous for its high class ski resorts and exceptional services. Adventure lovers will be captivated with the skiing at Matterhorn in the Zermatt region. Mount Titlis and mount Rigi are also popular tourist attractions with beautiful glaciers and capped peaks. During summer, the Swiss Alps are a natural paradise and an ideal location for hiking and sightseeing.

Switzerland is the land of fine chocolate, cuckoo clocks, wine, cheese and the famous army knives. Switzerland is also a country with exceptional history, culture and traditions. If you enjoy cultural traveling experiences, Switzerland is the perfect destination. The highly acclaimed Montreaux Jazz festival attracts thousands of tourists who enjoy good music every year. If you plan to travel Switzerland you shouldn’t leave without visiting a few of its unique museums such as the Collection de l’Art Brut museum in Lusanne. Switzerland Travel Guide will help you find all the information you need on the country’s cultural, historical and fashion hot spots.

Traveling to Switzerland is an incredible and unforgettable experience. The fabulous European country has everything from breathtaking landscapes and trendy resorts to high end shopping, historical beauty and captivating culture. Switzerland is a country you can enjoy all year round, in the company of family or friends. Switzerland Travel Guide is your number one travel Switzerland resource for information on accommodations, culture, traditions and costs.