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New Zealand: Rotorua – We Join with the Maori People

Whakarewarewa, NZ, you can watch a Maori cultural performance. Afterwards, audience members can join the talented cast for a photo op.

France, Paris: Paris Juggler

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One of the things we love about travel is the unexpected sights. Walking to our hotel we came across this brave juggler. He is either very smart because he has a captured audience who get to watch him juggle on the crosswalk of a traffic light or he is very dumb because he could get run over.

 

France, Paris: Approaching the Opera de Paris

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Heading down the Boulevard des Capuchines toward the Opera de Paris is still one of those OMG moments. It is way grander than you imagined.

 

US: Salem, MA – Frightfully Fun Halloween Events in Salem

Is there a place that can be more synonymous to Halloween then Salem, Massachusetts?  Throughout the entire month of October visitors of all ages flock there for the ultimate Halloween experience. Whether it’s haunted houses, historic landmarks, costume parties, ghost tours, historic tours, events, psychic and tarot readings, witch and magical shops, Salem’s Haunted Happenings, a festive celebration of Halloween and fall in New England, offers a plethora of unique one of a kind Halloween experiences.

Oct 13th:
12th Annual Witch City 5K Road Race
– Salem Willows Park 167 Fort Ave. 9:00 am. 12th Annual Witch City 5K Road Race. Run through Boo-tiful Historic Salem. Get your best running costume ready for this annual Salem Haunted Happenings Event. A great way to begin your day of Halloween fun in Salem. Let the kids join the Halloween costume fun with the Spooktacular Kids Broom Dash. Post-race awards, costume contest, music, photos, refreshments and more. Witch City 5K

Haunted Harmonies A Capella Festival – Haunted Harmonies is a one day A Cappella Festival. Vocal Group Competition-2pm, Tabernacle Church (50 Washington St.) Free and open to the public. Street Singing-4:30pm-6pm, Essex Street Pedestrian Mall. Free. Evening Concert-7:30pm, Tabernacle Church (50 Washington St.) See website for tickets. Haunted Harmonies

Howl-O-Ween Costumed Pet Parade – Derby Wharf, Salem Maritime Historic Site, 160 Derby St. 1 pm-2:30 pm. The event will include plenty of fun and games and a parade and costume contest with prizes. The event is free, though attendees wishing to participate in the parade will be asked to register. Further details: Howl-O-Ween Parade

Dark Of Night At Pioneer Village– Pioneer Village, West Ave. – Forest River Park.  Starting at 7pm. In candle-lit cottages at the dark forest’s edge, ghostly tales are told. An annual event for those lucky enough to experience the village in October. Seating is limited. Parking is free. Schedule and ticket purchase: Dark Of Night

Oct 14th: MDA Halloween Witch Ride- 11am. Scenic ride from Boston Harley-Davidson at 649 Squire Rd. in Revere to Shetland Park in Salem. All bikes welcome. Register

Oct 19th: Tony Moran At Count Orlok’s – Oct. 19, Oct 2o, Oct 21 – Count Orlok’s Nightmare Gallery 217 Essex St. (978) 740-0500 Special celebrity guest Tony Moran, known as the face of Michael Myers in the film “Halloween” will be appearing at Count Orlok’s for a meet and greet and autographs. Count Orlok’s Nightmare Gallery

Oct 20th: Haunted GracePhantom of the Opera – Grace Episcopal Church, 385 Essex St. 7:30-9:30pm. Love Gothic buildings and silent movies accompanied by spooky organ music? Haunted Grace is back with a chance to watch the original 1925 Phantom of the Opera with a live soundtrack played on the organ at local Gothic Grace Church. Info and tickets

Jerry’s Fright Fair – Oct 20, Oct 21, Oct 27, Oct 28- 301 Essex St. 10am-7pm. 2 floors of vendors/artists selling mostly Halloween themed merchandise, artwork, jewelry, crafts and more! Info

An Evening with Edgar Allan Poe– Remix Church, 9 Church St – 6-7 pm  special guest, the dearly departed Edgar Allan Poe returns to Salem in a theatrically eerie setting, performing dramatic readings of “The Raven” and “A Tell-Tale Heart.” Mister Poe will answer all your deepest, darkest questions about his life, his work and his mysterious death. Information and tickets

Oct 21: Trick Or Treat On The Wharf – Pickering Wharf, Derby St. at Congress St.  5pm to 7pm  Join the businesses on Pickering Wharf for this annual event that is free and open to the public. Children can give their costumes a test run at Pickering Wharf in Salem – participating establishments will be offering treats for kids.

Oct 27: Devils Chase 6.66 Miler and Creepy Clown 3.33 Miler – Soccer Field, Salem Willows, Salem, Ma. (Other Side of 129 Fort Ave)  6:30am registration8am start time. The Devils Chase 6.66 Mile Run, named to the Top Nine Costume Runs in the World, is the best and most unique event you will run in all year long. 98% of participants dress up in devil-themed costumes. New this year,  a 3.33 Miler for our runners that want the same fun of the Devils Chase 6.66 Miler with half the run. People from all over the world venture to Historic Salem for one hell of a good time and a great run past a variety of Salem’s well known landmarks.  Devil’s Chase and Creepy Clown 3.33

Tales at the Witch House – The Witch House  310 Essex St. 978-744-8815. Starting at 7pm. Don’t miss a macabre tales of superstition and murder. Move through the darkened rooms of the Witch House by lantern light as the story is performed by costumed actors. Stories begin every half hour and last about a half hour.  Tales At The Witch House

Haunted Grace – Nosferatu – Grace Episcopal Church, 385 Essex St. 7:30-9:30pm. Love Gothic buildings and silent movies accompanied by spooky organ music? Haunted Grace is back with a chance to watch the original 1922 Nosferatu with a live soundtrack played on the organ at local Gothic Grace Church. Info and tickets

Oct 31: 27th Annual TNW Samhain Witches CircleThe Temple of Nine Wells -ATC Ceremony at Gallows Hill Park, 5:30pm-7:30pm. Members of the Temple of Nine Wells Community, local Witches and Pagans and visitors from all over the world will gather at Gallows Hill park on Samhain Night. Dress warmly and walk with them to the site at 4:30pm from NU AEON at 88 Wharf St. After the rite, return to the heart of downtown Salem in the annual Commemorative Candle Light Walk.  Samhain Witches Circle

Closing Fireworks Display – 10:15pm Washington St./Bridge St. Overpass. Official conclusion of Salem’s Halloween celebration.

On Going Events:
Imprisoned! 1692 : Essex National Heritage Area, 35 St. Peter. St. Weekends in October. Experience the horrors of the Old Witch Gaol (jail), the actual location where many accused were held during the infamous trials. There’s no turning back now. On the eve of the deadliest night of the Witch Trials, the jailer will guide you to hear the stories of the convicted and their final pleas. Their fate has been chosen, but is it deserved? They will let you come to your own conclusions. Information and tickets

Witchery – Musical Play Written Just for Salem: Ames Hall, YMCA, 290 Essex St. 800-838-3006 Fridays Oct. 5 & 12 – 7pm; Saturdays Oct. 6 & 13 – 2pm & 7pm; Sundays Oct. 7 & 14 – 2pm. Witchery is a live, fun filled musical play. A lost little witch falls off her mother’s broomstick on Halloween night into the land of Salem Massachusetts. Let’s all help the witches, warlocks, ghosts and turkeys find her, in this fun musical for all ages. Live actors, Live music. Witchery

Salem Witch Museum 19 1/2 Washington Square North 978-744-1692 – Do you believe in witchcraft? At this museum get an understanding into the complex perception of witches, “from midwives and healers to witch hunts and Wiccans.” Salem’s most visited museum presents the witch hysteria of 1692 in an educational, thought-provoking, and a bit spooky way. You’ll learn about the event leading up to the witch trials, and what life was like in Salem.salemwitchmuseum

Salem Arts Association Exhibition: “Dark Arts”: Salem Arts Association, 211 Bridge St. Ash St. Entrance. Oct 5-Nov.4 Salem Arts Association Presents “Dark Arts”. Explore Salem’s history with witchcraft, religion, and Halloween. Dark Arts

The Tarot Experience – Moon Witch: The Witchery, 61 Wharf St. witchcraft & moon magick along with themes from the tarot in new and thought-provoking ways.

Salem Horror Fest 2018: October 4-14 – Cinema Salem at Witch City Mall & Peabody Essex Museum, 161 Essex St. A festival of screenings, parties, exhibits, concerts, panels, discussions, and celebrity appearances in the Halloween capital of the world. Film schedule and tickets: Salem Horror Fest

The Salem Haunted Magic Show – Hysteria: Oddities!: St. Peter’s Church Hall Theater, 24 Saint Peter’s St. September 29-November 2. A New Live 75 minute show HYSTERIA: Oddities! A unique blend of inconceivable magic, bizarre demonstrations of mind reading, wild comedy, and interactive audience participation. The show focuses on the mysterious and sometimes frightening world of the circus sideshow with incredible demonstrations of bizarre and scary magic, along with classic sideshow stunts like walking on broken glass, swallowing swords, beds of nails and eating lightbulbs . Showtimes and tickets: Salem Haunted Magic Show

Cry Innocent: The People vs. Bridget Bishop: Old Town Hall  32 Derby Square  June 17th-August 26th, Sat. & Sun. in September and daily October 1st – 31st.  The year is 1692. Bridget Bishop has been accused of witchcraft and YOU are on the Puritan jury. Hear the historical testimonies, cross-examine the witnesses and decide the verdict. Is Bridget Bishop capable of witchcraft? Play your part in history. Approximate duration of the show is 45 minutes. The outdoor arrest scene begins approximately 15 minutes before show time. During the show, the audience may step into the role of Puritan jurors. Tickets and schedule: Cry Innocent

Gallows Hill Museum And Theater: Gallows Hill Museum And Theater – 7 Lynde St. 978-825-0222  A variety of performances and attractions throughout October including: Gallows Hill Main Show, Lost Museum, Ghosts and Legends Trolley Tour, Daytime Walking Tours, Tales and Ales and other entertainment events Oct.1-Oct.31. Details and schedules: Gallows Hill Museum and Theater

Salem Time Machine: 131 Essex St. 4-D Walk-Thru Adventure into Salem’s Past 978-744-0013 -Two walk-thru attractions: Salem 3D Haunted Adventure, for families, children and those not wanting a scare. The attraction is dressed for Halloween and is a 16 minute walk-thru telling the story of Salem from 1650 to 1991. For those in a Halloween state of mind try the 3-D Haunted House with live actors, 3-D walls, 3-D floors, black lights, and haunting sound. Salem Time Machine

Witch Mansion: 186-1 Essex Street, Museum Place Mall  978-825-1300 – Witch Mansion claims to be Salem’s scariest haunted attraction. Built by a professional haunted house design firm, this eerie adventure is guaranteed to give you Chills and Thrills. Along with high-tech animations and creepy ghost illusions in 4D. You won’t believe your eyes as you enter a twilight world of ghosts, beasts and banshees.  Witch Mansion

Mahi-Mahi Haunted Happenings Cruises & Boo!s Cruises: Pickering Wharf – Derby and Congress Streets – (978) 825-0001 Haunted Happenings Harbor Cruise: The fabled coastlines of Salem sound come alive with tales of haunted lighthouses, eerie islands, ruthless pirates, and living monsters who wreak havoc on passing ships to this very day.  This spook-tacular 75-minute cruise screams Haunted Happenings Fun day or night. Haunted Happenings Cruise Halloween BOO!S Cruise: 2-hour cruise with DJ Snow spinning your favorite dance tunes and Halloween favorites. Costume prizes awarded, Ages 21+. Halloween Boo!s Cruise

House Of Seven Gables October Performances:  October 5-27, House Of 7 Gables – 115 Derby St. 978-744-0991.SPIRITS OF THE GABLES:Get swept into Hawthorne’s tale of guilt, greed and revenge as the characters from The House of the Seven Gables (1851), come to life and recount their stories while you walk through the very house that inspired Hawthorne’s timeless novel. LEGACY OF THE HANGING JUDGE: Legacy of the Hanging Judge takes visitors back through Nathaniel Hawthorne’s birth home to the events of the infamous Salem Witch Trials, through the eyes of the author, whose own ancestor, Judge John Hathorne had a hand to play in the tragic events of 1692. Performances begin every ten minutes in The Nathaniel Hawthorne birth house and last approximately 35 minutes. Last performance begins at closing. Combination tickets available. Reservations highly recommended. October Nights At The Gables

The Salem Psychic Fair And Witches’ Market: Witch City Mall – 176 Essex St. 10am-10pm Oct. 1- Oct. 31 Explore the future with a psychic reading and make contact with the Spirit World at Salem’s longest-running psychic fair. The Annual Psychic Fair and Witchcraft Expo features the Witch City’s most gifted Psychics. Wander an emporium of magical gifts, meet real practicing Witches, and make an appointment with one of Salem’s talented psychic readers.  Psychic Fair

Festival Of The Dead Event Series: Various events from Oct. 1 to Oct. 31. Locations include: 184 Essex St, Witch City Mall, Hawthorne Hotel, Salem Common. Halloween is the time of year when the shades of the dead whisper from forgotten places and spirits walk among us. The Witches of Salem honor this time with Festival of the Dead, an annual event series that explores death’s macabre customs, heretical histories, and strange rituals.  Festival of the Dead beckons guests to step through the veil into a realm where spirits await. Listing of events: Festival Of The Dead

Haunted Dinner Theater – Shipwrecked!: Hawthorne Hotel, 18 Washington Sq. Weekends from Sept. 28th through Nov. 3rd. In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, pirate ships sailed in search of other men’s gold off the coast of New England.  One such ship, the Dolphin, was lost with all hands. A group of infamous pirate captains come together to solve the mystery of what really happened to the doomed vessel and her treasure and they look to you to decide who is a treacherous dog that should pay the ultimate price. Haunted Dinner Theater

Whether you go by broom, by trolley or by foot, abandon all hope and surrender to the spell of Salem! There’s nothing quite like spending Halloween in Salem, always jam packed with fun and spooky things to do.

Dates: Various
Times: Various
hauntedhappenings.org
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: bostonusa.com

Photo Credit: John Andrews Photography

US: Ormond Beach, FL – Ormond/Daytona Beach Tricksters and Hot Rods

The Ormond Beach Community Day is a fun filled event for the whole family. All the fun takes place on Saturday, September 29th from 11am to 4pm at Destination Daytona.

This free community non-profit charity event features outstanding food, live music, vendors and entertainment including a professional  BMX Trickstars shows, classic car show, RV exhibit with Giant Recreation World, Motorcycle Police Demos,  drum line performance, a visit from the National Guard, top 40 hand picked Hot Rod show, kids play area with face painting, balloons, bounce house, and all full day of live music.

Location: Destination Daytona, 253 Destination Daytona, Ormond Beach, FL 32174
Date: Sat, Sept 29, 2018
Time: 11am – 4pm
Tel: 386-868-8484
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: daytonabeach.com

US: Alexandria, VA – DC’s Area Big Fall Latin Dance Party

Experience four days and nights of Latin dance lessons, meeting new people, enjoying dance performances and social dancing with world renown instructors at DC’s 3rd Annual Fall Salsa and Bachata Dance Festival.

Four Days of Non-Stop Dancing with 5 Nights of Theme Parties, Over 50 Salsa, Bachata, Kizomba, and Zouk Workshops, amazing talent from around the world and dance performances and social dancing with world renown instructors.

Experience this Latin Dance Fest and hangout with new people, learn to dance and even ask one of the artists to dance with you.

Event Schedule:                                                

Workshops:
Thursday – 8pm until 10pm
Friday – 2pm until 9pm
Saturday – 10am – 9pm
Sunday – 11am – 9pm

Performances:
Friday – Sunday – Starting at 9pm

Social Dancing:
Thursday -starting at 10pm
Friday – 10:30pm – 6am
Saturday – 10:30pm – 6am
Sunday – 10:30pm – 6am

Location: Westin Alexandria Hotel, 400 Courthouse Square, Alexandria, VA 22314
Dates: Sept 27 – 30, 2018
Time: Various- See Schedule Above
Tel: 703-409-0443
dcsalsabachatafest.com
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: visitalexandriava.com

US: Raleigh, NC – A Far Out Hippie Gathering Sharing Peace, Love and Goods

Hippie Tribe Fest is where the Bohemians roam. Created to bring community together, and to bring out the fun and free spirit in all of us; to create an experience for attendees to enjoy nature, to see incredible works of art, natural products, hand-made, Bohemian and Fair-Trade, amazing creations from local artisans and to enjoy performances by talented musicians.dreamstime_xl_100707558300dpi

At the main stage, there will be six hours of top notch musical artists and performers. Gifted buskers/solo artists will be performing throughout the festival and at the Feeling Groovy tent. At the Flower Child tent you will find an array of children activities and fun for the whole family.

Throughout the Hippie Tribe festival you can discover some of the most talented body artists including  Henna, Face Painting. One of the highlights featured is a one hour Drum Circle, where drummers, dancers and hoopers are welcome and encouraged to participate, sharing the energy and heartbeat of Mother Earth.

HTF_smallest_postcards_wBleedDelicious food available from local food vendors and food trucks. Attendees are encouraged to bring out their Hippie style, folding lawn chairs, blankets, drums and other instruments, as well as an umbrella; this is a rain or shine event. All parking will be on site and FREE.

Advance Entry Tickets $5 ($10 at the door); Children 12 and under – FREE. Tickets Here

Location: Sugg Farm Park at Bass Lake, 2401 Grigsby Ave, Holly Springs, NC 27540
Date: Sat, Sept. 29 2018
Time: Noon – 7pm (rain or shine)
Tel: 919-825-1122
hippietribefest.com
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: rockymounttravel.com

US: Kennett Square, PA – Jaw-Dropping Fountains Dance with Colors and Music

Located only 12 miles from Wilmington, Delaware, Longwood Gardens attracts visitors from around the globe to its 11,000 varieties of plants spread out across more than 1,000+ acres of gardens, meadows, woodlands and elaborate horticultural displays.

Longwood’s celebration of the Main Fountain Garden, which returned in 2017 after a $90 million, more than two-year revitalization. Renowned for its spectacular Festival of Fountains, the astonishing shows gather attention from far and wide, and are a favorite among visitors of all ages.

Watch in awe when the fountains dance to stirring music and water jets shoot up to 175 feet high. You don’t want to miss Longwood’s Illuminated Fountain Performances where you’ll see an infinite mix of color, sound and music. The fountains perform daily at 11:15 a.m., 1:15 p.m., 3:15 p.m., 5:15 and extended hours for illuminated fountain performances on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings at 7:15.

In addition, the wildly popular Fireworks & Fountains return with  new shows: September 29 at 8:15 pm: Solid Gold ’70s – Take a bell-bottomed step back in time to the disco decade featuring iconic music from The Bee Gees, Kool and the Gang, Donna Summer, and more cool cats you’ll really dig. For Tickets:  Fireworks & Fountains 2018 

Festival of Fountains also features the Gardens in their summer splendor. The refreshed garden design invites guests to wander and discover new garden gems, including the Grotto, Pumphouse Plaza, and Historic Pumphouse display. Flowering annuals and perennials abound plus a breathtaking Waterlily Display that showcases aquatic plants from all over the world.

Take a hike in the expansive Meadow Garden or enjoy a shady stroll among Longwood’s historic trees. The outdoor Children’s Corner offers younger guests a garden designed just for them, while the Idea Garden is a showcase of plant combinations, innovative vegetable gardens, and unusual plant varieties to inspire guests to try at home.

Longwood Gardens allows a limited number of visitors per day, so purchase Tickets in advance to guarantee admission.

Illuminated Fountain Performances continue through October 27 and Daytime Fountain Performances continue through October 28 during Autumn’s Colors.

Photo Credit: Daniel Traub

Location: Longwood Gardens, 1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square, PA 19348
Dates: until – September 30, 2018 (check website for later schedule)
Time: Sun–Wed  9am–6pm, Thurs–Sat 9am–10pm
Tel: 610-388-1000
longwoodgardens.org
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: visitwilmingtonde.com

US: Miami Beach, FL – Dance the Night Away in Miami

The Miami Beach Kizomba Festival (MBKF) marks its 5th year of bringing people together from across the globe to celebrate African culture, music and dance.

Kizomba is a slow, sensual dance and musical genre originating in Angola in 1984, a more modern music genre mixed with African rhythm and usually sung in Portuguese.  Kizomba means “party” in Kimbundu, and that is just what you are going to get at this festival.

Not to mention outstanding workshops, world-class dance instruction and lessons, unforgettable music concerts, live musicians and performing artists, superstar DJ’s  and sunrise beach parties, night parties, and pool parties.

MBKF takes place at the iconic Eden Roc Hotel, August 22-27, with live performances by Yola Semedo and Jennifer Dias. You can choose between a Party Pass, Weekend Pass or Full pass. If you like dancing, join the celebration at the Miami Beach Kizomba Festival, a great atmosphere of people from all over the world partying all night under one roof.

For Tickets:  Buy Now

Location: Eden Roc Miami, 4525 Collins Ave, Miami, FL 33140
Dates: Wed, Aug 22 – Mon, Aug 27.  2018
Time: various – see schedule
Tel: 914-226-9554
thembkf.com
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: miamiandbeaches.com

US: Savannah, GA – This Three Week Festival Will Strike the Perfect Chord

Savannah VOICE Festival brings classical vocal excellence to Savannah, with over 25 performances, through a two week celebration of operas, concerts,  food and wine events, and masterclasses during the month of August.

Every year, the Festival is inspired by a theme—2018’s is “Stories Great & Small.” Offering music from opera, musical theatre and song, this year’s highlights include Verdi’s La Traviata, Menotti’s The Telephone, Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel and Michael Ching’s comedic opera Speed Dating Tonight!

It is a celebration of the classical voice with over 25 performances, including operas, concerts, food and wine events, and masterclasses. Offering music from opera, musical theatre and song, this year’s highlights include Verdi’s La Traviata, Menotti’s The Telephone, Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel and Michael Ching’s comedic opera Speed Dating Tonight!

The sixth annual festival, will be staged Aug. 4-26, The Westin Savannah Harbor Resort is the backdrop for many events as well as in and around Savannah in a variety of venues. This will mark the second year of the festival’s expansion to three weeks, treating patrons to several extra days of delightful musical offerings.

Through his VOICE Programs, legendary baritone Sherrill Milnes will take attendees on a lighthearted journey through memorable concerts featuring over 100 artists from 15 countries, who will share operatic stories from the past and present, and modern songs of today.

As part of the intensive programs of the Festival Season, opera industry leaders will offer the next generation of artists tools to improve their performance during hour-long mini master class sessions. The free mini master class series provides attendees with the opportunity to meet the faculty members of the VOICExperience Programs while learning more about vocal music, technique and about the “masters” themselves.

This non-stop celebration of the voice will impress the most avid fans and newcomers alike. For the complete 2018 line-up: savannahvoicefestival.org/festival-events

For Free Events: savannahvoicefestival.org/free-events

Location: Various
Dates: Aug 4 – 26, 2018
Times: Various – see schedule
Tel: 855-766-7372
savannahvoicefestival.org
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: visitsavannah.com