Have you ever heard of the International Street Artists Festival? Well, it takes place in the Ticino! It's time to take a trip to Ascona this weekend.
During the four days of the festival, individual artists as well as professional groups from all over the world present their street performances. Set within the picturesque setting of Ascona the artists offer a colourful programme: enjoy pantomimes, stage plays and dance performances. Jugglers, tightrope walkers, fire eaters, musicians and clowns will entertain you and your children. Over a hundred of free entry performances fill the numerous small settings along the lakeside with a joyful atmosphere. At the end of every show the artists go around with a hat and the generous audience can thank them for the entertainment with a voluntary contribution. Let's just hope the weather gives its contribution of sunshine as well!
You might have grown up with the Cosby Show and are already smiling while you read this. For those of you who have not seen the family series from the 80s which almost single-handedly revived the sitcom genre in the US, the following video will give you a taste of how TV used to be made, before everyone went politically correct. The latest crop just doesn’t compare to how they did it back then.
This episode was about the question of equality in relationships. The following video explains it better than a thousand words. Wishing you a lovely weekend!
"It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air."
W.T.Ellis
During Advent, Piazza Riforma will be populated by charming wooden houses, where you can find all sorts of Christmas specialties, decorations and original gift ideas. In other words, head down town to taste some Christmas spirit and enjoy the festive season, not only the cold December weather!
Venue: Advent Market
Where: Piazza Riforma
When: Every day until Sunday 23.12 from 11.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m.
Monday 24.12 from 11.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
Tomorrow enjoy a special treat of fairy tales and music for children: Gioacchino Lonardo and his marionettes will tell two of the most famous traditional tales: Jonas and the Whale and Robin Hood.
Venue: Marionette theatre
Where: Piazza San Carlo
When: Wednesday, December 5th, 2012
Time: from 2.30 p.m. to 4.00 p.m
November in Ticino is Circus time. The Circus Knie has travelled across the entire country over the past eight months and will be concluding its tour in Lugano as usual. Soon you'll be able to enjoy the new programme PASSION CIRQUE.
This year's high-caliber programme incorporates the magical combination of acrobatics, animal acts, clowns and popular comedy to deliver a passionate performance.
I thought I'd share some facts about Switzerland's National Circus:
Number of tours since 1919: 94
Number of venues: 43
Tour Duration: 22 March to 18 November 2012
Number of tour days: 243
Of these preforming days: 219
Duration by Location: 2 days to 4 weeks (Zurich)
Performances: 348
- 183 evening performances
- 146 matinees
- 13 morning performances
I usually try to buy tickets for the very last show of the year. Knowing that it is the final preformance renders the show a bit more special and I believe the artists feel this emotion as well. It blows my mind to walk into this magical world before the production and walk out the tent two hours later and find everything - and I mean everything - except the tent we had been sitting under has been taken down and is on its way to Rapperswil, Circus Knie's winter residence.
Venue: Circus Knie
Where: Stadio Cornaredo
Dates: November 15th to 18th, 2012
Times:
Thursday - 20.15
Friday - 15.00 and 20.15
Saturday 13.30, 17.00 and 20.30
Sunday 10.30, 14.30 and 18.00
As I am writing this post I am watching the Pre-Show of the Super Bowl 2012 waiting for the clock to strike twelve which is when the game starts. I most probably won't make it to halftime, eventhough the thought of watching Madonna's show dedicated to her Dad does keep me hanging.
In the meantime I thought I'd preview the most anticipated commercials with my readers. With more than 111 million fans expected to watch this year's Big Game, the Super Bowl is an advertiser's biggest stage. And they're willing to pay $3.5 million for a 30-second spot.
They're willing to pay because last year a record 111 million Americans tuned in to see the game, making it the most-watched single program of any kind in U.S. television history.
Many of this year's commercials are already online. About 20 of about 36 Super Bowl advertisers put their TV commercials on the Internet prior to today's game. That's a big difference from previous years when only a handful of companies leaked their TV ads.
Let's take a look at some of the TV ads people might be talking about tomorrow:
Kia Optima "A Dream Car. For Real Life"
Motley Crue, a man riding a rhino, former UFC champ Chuck Liddell and SI swimsuit model Adriana Lima: This one takes you on a wild ride. It's not over-the-top hilarious, but you have to love the subtle message.
The Bark Side: 2012 Volkswagen Commercial
In this extended version of our 2012 Game Day commercial, the sporty, all-new 2012 Volkswagen Beetle inspires Bolt the dog to get in shape, and an intergalactic superstar makes a surprise appearance.
Ferris Bueller-Honda CR-V
The official 2012 Honda CR-V "Matthew's Day Off" is a fun homage to "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" with actor Matthew Broderick. We've all seen it, but it will likely be one of this year's best.
Sketchers-Dog Racing
By now you've heard of the controversy: Dog-racing to promote a new shoe from Sketchers? Some greyhound dog advocacy groups are not happy. We've only seen a teaser so far, so obviously we want to see the entire commercial.
Priceline-The Negotiator
William Shatner dies in a firey bush crash, doing what he does best: Give us great deals on Priceline.com. But will Priceline name a new spokesperson now that Captain Kirk is dead?
Milan has long been regarded as one of the international capitals of industrial and modern design, as well as one of the world’s most influential cities in fashion. The host of FieraMilano, Salone del Mobile and Milan Fashion Week, and the home of Teatro alla Scala and the iconic Milan Cathedral, the Milan’s steeped history in design makes it one of the most important hubs of creativity in the world.
Despite its common label as a furniture fair, Salone Internazionale del Mobile has become much more: most importantly, it has become a key event in the luxury calendar where furniture manufacturers and luxury brands look to showcase their creativity and innovation, and where the world’s most influential designers, journalists and professionals converge to discuss and analyse the latest technologies, materials and trends.
Your incognitio Expat reporter went to tour the exhibition yesterday and indulged in a world of luxury and design. Here are but a few impressions I wished to share with you.
Benvenuti to the fair grounds!
That's me...
I'll have one of those as my vault please!
What a spectacular stand wall
Ahh, which one to choose???
Recycling is in....a chair made of cardboard!
A boy's dream bedroom...Forza Italia!
Delicate lighting
Heavens above
I wonder if those ballons would fit in my living room?
Philippe Starck...no comment needed
Looks interesting....
...let's take a closer look.
Did you know Christian Lacroix produced furniture and mosaics?
"Talk to me Harry Winston, tell me all about it"
Marilyn Monroe in Diamonds Are A Girls' Best Friend
We are counting down to Hollywood's biggest night: the Academy Award ceremony.
Since the 1943 Academy Awards, when Harry Winston outfitted the lady of the night, Jennifer Jones, with her jewelry, Winston has lent the who's who of Hollywood royalty that extra sparkle--and, some say, a lucky charm--on the night of nights. Each year, Winston lends a staggering $200 million worth of jewelry to celebrities. As those very celebrities walk down the red carpet dressed in the likes of Gucci, Versace or Cavalli, one other name is always implied: Harry Winston, jeweler to the stars.
For this year's Oscars, celebrities collectively borrowed $40 million worth of jewelry from the exclusive designer. For 71st Annual Academy Awards, host Whoppi Goldberg alone added that extra sparkle with $41 million in Winston jewelry--including a rumored $15 million diamond ring. Halle Berry was wearing Harry Winston's famous Pumpkin Diamond Ring (the world's largest vivid-orange diamond ring), worth $3 million, when she accepted her Oscar; and Elizabeth Taylor, the queen of diamonds herself, was also loaned $3 million worth of jewelry for Oscar night.
In 1950, Harry Winston, the namesake of the House, was nicknamed by the press "The King of Diamonds"; and with good reason! Winston got his start in the jewelry business when at the age of 12. In 1908, he purchased a glass stone for $2, he later sold that same stone for $800. It turns out it was an emerald. In 1920 he organized his first business, "The Premier Diamond Company" in New York City. In 1932, Winston acquired the jewelry collection of Rebecca Stoddard for $1 million. The early thirties saw Winston transition from wholesaler to retailer when he opened the first "Harry Winston" in New York City.
Winston has held more of the world's most famous jewels than any other group, with the exception of the British Crown. Although Winston does have some competition in Hollywood, with other retailers looking to outfit the stars on Oscar night, the King of Diamonds is likely to prevail over any competition and remain the premier jeweler to the stars.
Millions of people have counted down the days, minutes and seconds to watch the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Green Bay Packers vie for the championship title.
Tonight is the last game of the season: Who will get THE RING???
Get ready football fans, because today is game day for the game of all games:
the Super Bowl.
Sure, the Super Bowl is for football fans. However, lots of non-football fans will tune in to see all the creative commercials. Most of us know that not many companies have the funds available to book commercial spots during the Super Bowl game. The price tag to air just one 30 second commercial is $3 million. Ad spots were all sold out last October. For companies like Pepsi Max, Doritos, and Best Buy, they have the big budgets. These big companies will air more than five commercials each during the entire game, according to the NFL. But we all know the investment is worth it for these large corporations. While they can afford paying anywhere from $3 million to $20 million for ad spots, they know their profits will only sky rocket as nearly 80 million people are expected to tune into Sunday’s game.
While football fans are geared up for the game, millions of non-football fans will no doubt tune in and check out all the commercials. Unfortunately these commmercials are not shown on international channels but nevertheless invite some friends over, whip up some guacamole, Buffalo wings, nachos, and onion dip and tune in to SSF, ARD, France2, BBC2 or ORF1 (don't forget to switch into English) for the amazing atmosphere.
Another option is to watch the event livestream via your computer. Check out: http://www.watchlivechannels.com/nfl-super-bowl-xlv/ for further details. I have NOT tried this link myself, therefore cannot guarantee that'll give desired results. Would be interested to hear feedback though ;)
Click here for the offical NFL site and get live updates via twitter and start sharing your emotions and opinions.
In case you we're wondering: I'll be rooting for the Pittburg Steelers mainly because my Dad is from Pennsylvania.
"When I started out, I didn't have any desire to be an actress or to learn how to act. I just wanted to be famous."
Katherine Hepburn
Well, someone across the Atlantic seems to be following my blog. I received the encouragement I needed after experiencing my first blogger's blues. A producer of the popular show "House Hunters International" contacted me through my blog and is searching for rising stars in Lugano.
All of you recent or imminent houseowners in Lugano and throughout Switzerland, listen up, House Hunters International is looking for you.
"House Hunters International" tells the story of people who have picked up their lives and moved to foreign and exotic locations to pursue a new life. They are currently looking to cast people who have bought or are currently looking for a home in Switzerland, preferably in Lugano. They are looking to shoot over the coming months so you've got to move fast.
Participation in the show is a lot of fun and a great way to document your new life in your new country. The show airs on the Home and Garden Network (HGTV) in the US and Canada and is one of the network's highest rated programmes.
I've added a trailer video on a previous Swiss episode for you to have a peek.
Should you be interested, please contact me at expatwithkids@yahoo.com for more information and in the meantime, I'll start cooling the champagne.
"You see things; and you say, "Why?" But I dream things that never were; and I say, "Why not?"
George Bernard Shaw
Should you decide not to go skiing this weekend but are looking for an alternative, take your kids off to see the "Viaggio nelle fiabe e in altri mondi" in Locarno. It is a 60-minute sensory show for youngsters from 4 to 104 years.
Throughstoriesthechildren experiencedifferent emotions,which lead themtobetter understandthemselvesandothers. A hands-onspectacleandexhibition ofhuman figuresas well asotherspeciesbytheTeatro dei Fauni.
Themagical worldof fairy talesallow thechildren toenrichtheir own experiencewhile identifyingwith thecharacters and reflecting on theirwayof speech.Thegoalis to enhance the opportunities forexplorationofdaily lifeby offeringunusualandpositivegroup experiences,useful for the developmentofcreativity which is thetool thatallows themtodiscoverourworld.
Exhibition, Saturday: 14.30- 17.30; Sunday 9.30-12.30
Show for 20 people, Saturday 15.00 and 16.30;
"If everybody minded their own buisness, the world would go around a great deal faster than it does."
The Duchess
Thisperformance - which shows on Friday, January 14th - beautifullyportrays thefairytaleat its best, therefore letting the childrens' imagination flow freely.The publicof allagesareoffered achance torediscoverthis childhood poetryandat the same timedealwiththe symbolic and hidden meanings of Lewis Carroll's masterpiece.
In the Magical Kingdom of Wonderland, everything has changed since the Queen of Hearts defeated the White Queen. It is the day of her coronation as she dictates her rules: order, discipline and rationality. But Alice, a little girl, comes to upset her plans with her innocence and childhood and introduces us to manyintriguing characters,someabitcrazy, othersfunnyand cute,othersstillverymysteriousand special.
A musical, created by Enrico Botta and Annalisa Benedetti, inspired by Lewis Carroll's masterpiece. Directed by Christian Ginepro who also took care of the choreography, music by Giovanni Maria Lori. Part of the theatrical season of Lugano 2010-2011.
