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The 14th Bahrain International Music Festival which took place last year in November 5-11 brought in musicians from France, Palestine, Oman, Egypt and Iraq. I was only able to watch the performance oft he Manama Singers and Orchestra with their Haydn Imperial Nelson Mass and the Royal Oman Symphony Orchestra.

Overall the performance was great. It was held in the newly built Cultural Hall. I can say that the Royal Oman Symphony Orchestra with its conductor, Leif Sundstrup gave the best performance in the week long event. The Manama Singers also did an excellent job with their conductor Alistair Auld who is the formost conductor in the island kingdom.

There were several important guests, dignitaries and musicians alike. The President of the Royal Society of Music, Mr. Carrillo said that the performance made by the Royal Oman Symphony Orchestra was the best musical performance he has ever seen. The event was a success if their aim is to improve Cultural life in Bahrain. For a country with not much history in music, the Bahrain International Music Festival seems remarkable to have succeded with many people who attended.

If music festivals such as South by Southwest and the Austin City Limits festival are testament to the city’s reputation as the Live Music Capitol of the World, the Texas Book Festival is proof positive that Austin is a hotbed of creativity in the literary world as well. Founded by Laura Bush in 1995, it has grown to become a nationally important event, featuring over two thousand authors, local, national and international, in twelve years of existence. Exciting, fun, musical and educational, this all-ages event is considered to be one of the premiere literary events in the country.
Located primarily in the State Capitol, the festival takes place every fall, drawing upwards of 40,000 spectators to delight in panels, concerts, demonstrations, and other activities in the House and Senate Chambers, as well as tents and stages erected on the sprawling green lawn of the Capitol grounds. Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, and other high-profile politicos have given keynote addresses, and the late Governor Ann Richards was a regular as well. Kay Bailey Hutchison, Jim Lehrer, and Roy Blount Jr., and other such notables have made appearances as well.
A variety of themes are represented at the festival, with panels dedicated to mysteries, biographies, photography, retrospectives, periodicals, journalism, and many other topics. A “Lifestyle” tent hosts discussions and activities including parenting, wineries, birding, and yard art.
In keeping with the interests and expectations of Austinites, the festival emphasizes a high level of entertainment and music, dedicating one tent to musical performances throughout the festival, and hosting events at satellite locations including the legendary Continental Club. A concert featuring Austin’s finest musicians is held on the Capitol steps. Musician authors such as Joe Ely read from their works, as do those who write books about musicians, including Kathleen Hudson and Joe Nick Patoski.
Other aspects of the entertainment world are well-represented also. Actors including Eli Wallach and Marlee Matlin have appeared there, and Top Chef host Padma Lakshmi offered live cooking demos for exotic recipes. Food and cooking are also highlighted, with an entire tent equipped with cooking supplies and dedicated to cookbooks and examinations of food culture.
The Texas Book Festival has raised over two million dollars for Texas Public Libraries, and their commitment to children is clear. With one tent dedicated to children’s authors, one to children’s entertainment, and one to activities for the little ones, this festival is a perfect way to combine books and literacy with a fun and exciting event. Storytimes abound throughout the festival, and activities can include hula dance, puppet shows, drawing, and sing-alongs. When children’s authors are in town for the festival, they often take part in “Reading Rock Stars,” an affiliated program that brings them to public schools to read their works.
A truly Austin event in spirit, the Texas Book Festival is a lively, creative and exciting way to explore the literary world both on a local and national level.

The Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macau SAR Government presents the 22nd Macau International Music Festival (MIMF) from October 5th to November 2nd, 2008.

The Macau International Music Festival, since decades, has been bringing internationally renowned artists to Macau. Every year, performances at the Macau International Music Festival are of the highest order and offer a delicate balance of Eastern and Western forms of music. Along with promoting Macau tradition and culture, the Macau International Music Festival seeks to expose the communities in Macau to diverse musical forms, and in the process enrich the cultural experience in Macau. This year the focus is on opera, symphonic, choral and chamber music, as well as contemporary, folk, pop and jazz music.

The 22nd Macau International Music Festival will see none other than Britain’s National Orchestra – The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra giving the opening performance. This is their first performance at the Macau International Music Festival and it will be conducted by Principal Guest Conductor Leonard Slotkin. (5/10, at the Macao Cultural Center Grand Auditorium, 8pm). It is of course common knowledge that ever since its inception by Sir Thomas Beecham, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra has, under his guidance and vision, been known to perform some of the greatest compositions the music world has ever heard.

The Macau International Music Festival will also see performances by the third largest symphony orchestra in Canada – The Grammy Award Winning (2008) Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, conducted by its Music Director, the British conductor Bramwell Tovey. (14/10, MCC-GA, 8pm) Joining this orchestra is the 28 year old Grammy Award winning violinist Hilary Hahn. Hilary Hahn, today, is one of the most sought after and acclaimed performers on the concert circuit.

The Macau International Music Festival promises to be more colorful and louder than ever with over seventeen different artists performing across genres as diverse as traditional, classical, pop, jazz and opera from different countries like Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Hungary, Portugal, the USA, Canada, Australia and Mainland China.

Music lovers all over the world, be ready to experience Macau from a different perspective. You can enjoy the music, atmosphere and glamor while staying at a luxury Macau hotel. Macau is well known for its sophistication, so you’ll find nothing but the best in hotels such as the Sands Macao Resort Hotel.

Laura Silverman / Heather Connor

The Silverman Group, Inc.

312.932.9965 / 312.932.9911

laura@silvermangroupchicago.com

Lori Hile

Chicago International Film Festival

312.683.0121 ext. 103

publicity@chicagofilmfestival.com

The 44th Chicago International Film Festival, October 16 – 29, 2008, presented by Cinema/Chicago, will offer moviegoers the best new films from around the world, with several exciting additions, including a “Festival Village” and the launch of Green Screen, a program celebrating our natural environment, the power and artistry of filmmaking, and the intersection between the two. In its fifth decade, the Festival continues to present special appearances by legendary international actors and directors, along with the impressive film line-up for which the Festival is known. Audiences this year will be captivated by 116 feature films, 38 short and student films, and 18 documentaries from more than 45 countries, showcasing both established and promising new filmmakers. ”

For 44 years, we’ve been committed to taking you all across the globe to discover some of the most exciting cinema the world has to offer, right here in Chicago for two weeks only,” said Michael Kutza, Founder and Artistic Director of the Chicago International Film Festival. “This isn’t your typical Saturday night out at the movies – these are once-in-a-lifetime events. And this year we’ve set up camp in a new Festival Village to create an even stronger sense of community where you can come out, see the films, meet the people who make them, mingle with your fellow film fans, and most importantly see the world in a whole new way.”

SCREENING LOCATIONS The 44th Chicago International Film Festival will screen films at four locations. The majority of films will be shown at AMC River East 21, 322 E. Illinois Street, and AMC 600 N. Michigan 9, 600 N. Michigan Avenue. Both the Opening Night (October 16) and Closing Night (October 29) screenings take place at the Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph Drive. Screenings of films in the Rediscovered and Restored Series will be held at the Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Avenue, on October 26, 27, and 28.

TICKETS Film Festival passes are on sale now. Individual tickets for the 44th Chicago International Film Festival screenings and events will go on sale the beginning of October. Passes and tickets can be purchased by visiting www.chicagofilmfestival.com or www.ticketmaster.com, or by calling 312-902-1500.

ABOUT CINEMA/CHICAGO Cinema/Chicago, a not for profit, tax exempt cultural and educational organization, presents the annual Chicago International Film Festival, North America’s oldest competitive international film festival, organized to encourage better understanding between cultures and its people and to make a positive contribution to the art form of the moving image. Subscribers to Cinema/Chicago’s membership program form a loyal core audience for the organization and are granted access to more than 15 free film screenings and sneak previews throughout the year. Cinema/Chicago also offers year-round educational programs designed for students and the deaf and hard of hearing to provide new film experiences and offer insight into other cultures, languages, and ideas. These programs include the Educational Outreach Program, the Program for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and the Black Perspectives Program. For up-to-date and detailed Festival information, call 312-332-FILM or visit www.chicagofilmfestival.com.

Posted by: ERICK LASECA

Junior Board Member

Chicago International Film Festival

The Edinburgh Festival is celebrated in Edinburgh, Scotland during the month of August. Though the festivals are typically celebrated in August, there are a number of other festivals that are celebrated around the year. It is recorded as being the largest art festival in the world. It was established in 1947 by the Edinburgh International Festival (EIF). One of the aims of this organization is to “Provide a platform for the flowering of the human spirit”. The artistic goals vied for in the festival would also serve to attract tourists from all over the world.

It is considered as a very important cultural celebration. Typical activities during these festivals revolve around classical music, opera, theatre and dance. There is a very high standard of artistry involved, with the best artists all over the world being highly sought after. The EIF’s assigns an Artistic Director, whose job is to invite artists suitable enough to meet their standards.

The Hub, also known as the home of the EIF, was opened in the year 1999. It was formerly known as “The Highland Tooth”. It is considered to be the best place to find information on all of the festivals occurring. It is a towering Gothic Building situated near the Edinburgh Castle. It is a very popular tourist attraction, while serving as the focal point for the celebrations itself. There are ticketing centers and cafes, with a smattering of arts and craft. The Main Hall is host to a variety of events, namely concerts, banquets and parties. Ceilidhs, which are informal social gatherings involving Scottish folk music, dancing and storytelling, are also typical events.

There are many festivals during this period, with most happening simultaneously. Here is a list of the more well known of the festivals.

1. Edinburgh International Festival

This is the original festival started by the EIF to achieve its goals. Since then, it has been celebrated every August month. The festival pertains to performing arts, with only the most highly regarded artists from opera, theatre, music and dance being invited by the General Director to perform for the festival. There are also workshops and lectures throughout the year to further the spread of information regarding this festival.

2. Edinburgh Fringe

This festival, also known simply as “The Fringe”, is widely considered as the largest arts festival in the world. This event typically revolves around performing arts related to comedy and drama. Some theatre events involve the works of William Shakespeare and Samuel Beckett. Unlike the other festivals, there is usually no selection committee approving entries, hence, there are a wider array of events possible. Because of this, experimental works are often performed in this festival.

3. Edinburgh International Book Festival

Taking place in the last few weeks of August, this book festival is located in Charlotte Square, which is situated near the center of Edinburgh. The festival is attended by renowned authors all over the world. Recent attendees include J.K. Rowling and Ian Rankin. In 2001, additional events such as debates and discussions were introduced to the program. Authors and tourists alike are able to participate in discussions regarding important issues all over the world.