Like many I am still searching for the perfect way to spend New Year’s Eve. I’ve never been huge NYE celebrating type of person so it’s no biggie if I don’t find some spectacular fireworks display, but at the same time it’s always kind of nice. Last year I stayed nestled inside my apartment and the previous year I believe I was sitting on a beach in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica wishing I were somewhere else (long story). Well the Miami Herald offers a small sampling of what’s available across the states and even as far down and out as Australia, Italy and Costa Rica. Go figure. Nothing listed for Chicago so I’ll be moving onto the next list, but for those partying domestically in Key West, NYC, ATL or even Alabama check out their notes.
Kwanzaa Parade
A friend of mine just shot me an email telling me to tune into KPFK 90.7 fm radio out of Los Angeles to chill out to some very soothing music and he was right. Thanks to his thinking of me I found yet another cool holiday event that seems worth all your attention. The 5th Annual Kwanzaa Heritage Parade and Festival kicks off December 30, 2006 from 10am-7pm in Leimert Park Village. For those who aren’t quite hip to the African American holiday which takes place every year from December 26th to January 1st, it was created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga and is derived from the Swahili word KWANZA, meaning first fruit. Though the roots of the holiday are African an extra ‘A’ was added by Dr. Maulana Karenga to distinguish differences between African and Afro-Americans.
Having never gone to a Kwanzaa parade or any event for that matter in my past it sounds like a great cultural learning experience if all else. They break down the meaning behind each day. The first is Umoja or Unity where individuals strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation and race. Find out what the other six days represent and make plans to attend if you’re around So. Cal.
Photo of the Day (12/16/06)
Feeling dizzy yet? All the frenzy seen in this shot is caused by the rope dancers during Esala Perahera as described by E-R-G-O. The ceremony takes places in Sri Lanka and this shot is a second Gadling selection from the experience. The swirling colors and excitement is what got me. It isn’t exactly related to some of the festivals being celebrated at this time of year, but it sure captures human spirit. Good shot E-R-G-O.
Aruba Carnival 2007
How I long to wear another skimpy jeweled, beaded and feathery carnival costume on a hot Caribbean island – let me count the ways. With all my pals over in TnT calling and telling me how the band launches are kicking off, parties running into the midnight hour (as if they ever stop) and how the season has officially arrived or ‘reached’ I can’t help getting a bit worked up myself. Take me away! I want to go – now! After my first masquerading experience in Trinidad & Tobago’s 2006 Carnival I’ve been trying to fight developing an addiction, but as I sit and write this I’m clicking back and forth from various island websites scoping out the details for 2007 Carnival. Not to say I didn’t have a phenomenal time in TnT this year, but it never hurts to look around.
So far I’ve been looking at the details of Bahia, Brazil’s popular place to be during the season and stumbled upon Aruba’s calendar for next year. While Aruba isn’t one of my must-see destinations their events don’t look too shabby. Plus they have this music called Antillean tumba which I don’t think I’ve heard before, but appears to be a mixture of Calypso and Salsa with Dutch flavor. Sounds very, very interesting. If you’ve wanted to do something like this, let me tell you now is the time to start planning. It’s so worth it and don’t worry, not all of the costumes are skimpy. Go to the Aruba photo gallery for an idea of Carnival in Aruba. The fesitivies take place the month of February and the big event days are Feb. 17-18.
Burning Man Time Almost Here
Neil’s Burning Man POTD pick a few days back inspired me. Not to go, but to point Burning Man fanatics (if any) to this Miami Herald piece. I’ve wanted to attend the bizarre art show and hippie fest in the past, but I’m a little more reserved these days. Not talking about drugs either. I’m just not in the mood for thousands of topless women kicking up desert dust in bicycle parades, because you really must be in the mood for those types of shenanigans. It’s just a weird place, psychedelic and way far out.
Burning Man is an annual festival taking place in Black Rock City in the desert right outside of Reno, NV. Burners will pay an entrance fee of $185 to $280 and spend a week intoxicated or high off of life until the week end where they will dance and do whatever pleases them in the night as a 40 ft. wooden man is scorched in flames to the ground. A friend of mine went last year and had an incredible time, but like I said you certainly have to be in the mood and know what you’re getting into. If you’ve never been before and something I’ve mentioned here managed to strike a nerve you may wish to further explore this short read.
Makes me think of Ring around the Rosie… “Ashes, ashes they all fall down.”