Film Festival

The key to packing for music festivals isn’t packing light- it’s packing in a way you can carry as much as possible to the campsite from your car or whatever public transport you take to the event. Obviously a car is better because you can pack more stuff, making you better prepared and less reliant on the overpriced shops, food stalls and bars in and around the festival arena.

The amount you’ll need to pack will vary depending on whether you’re at a a 2 day, 3 night festival like V festival or the isle of White or other festivals like Glastonbury or Reading and Leeds, which are longer so you might need to pack more food, drink and toiletries.

Festival food

Although food at festivals is in ready supply and some of it isn’t too bad these days to save money we’d recommend taking as much of your own food as possible. Here’s some ideas- remember summer music festivals can get hot so fresh food will to off quickly if it’s not kept cool.

Barbecues – fires are banned at all the music festival campsites, although this isn’t really enforced as much at Glastonbury as others like V festival. Portable and disposable BBQs are good idea because BBQ food is easy to cook and the disposable ones you can, obviously, dispose of so you don’t have to carry them home. Stick with some simple burgers and sausages, take it frozen then keep it in a freezer box with ice packs and it should stay fresh for 24 hours or so. Avoid chicken, fish or cooked rice as these tend to have the worst consequences if you leave them out too long or don’t cook them thoroughly enough before eating. Don’t forget the tomato ketchup! You could also take some frozen bacon and bread to make bacon sandwiches the first morning on camp.

Tinned food- After the BBQ foods gone move onto the cans and anything you can cook quickly over a portable gas cooker. If you have a cooker you can boil water as well meaning you can make instant noodle and soup cups as well as the essential morning cup of tea (which will cost you £1.50 if you buy it from a food stall). Don’t forget the tin opener and kettle, as well as something to clean the pots and plates with.

Non-perishable food – stuff like breakfast cereal, which you can eat with long life milk are great for festivals- they won’t excite the taste buds but they will fill you up quickly and cheaply.

Festival drinks

There’s drinking water taps in he campsites at every music festival so don’t worry about bottled water. Just bring enough empty bottles or a water container to fill at the taps.

More importantly alcohol is expensive at festivals and is hard to find in the campsites as the bars are all within the live music arenas. If you want to drink, and most people do, taking your own drink is advisable. The most popular drinks for music festivals are cans of lager and cider which you can buy cheaply from the supermarket by the case of 24 cans- making them reasonably easy to carry. If there’s a few of you and you need several cases consider buying or renting a trolley to push your beers to the campsite- they get heavy!

Glass is not allowed in the campsites of music festivals. V festival and Reading are especially strict on this and you could lose your tickets if you’re found with glass bottles inside the campsite. If you’re taking drinks which only come in glass bottles, like vodka or whiskey, decant these into a plastic bottle and dispose of the glass carefully before you go into the campsite.

Sleeping

Tents are advisable although other more innovative forms of shelter have also been know I’ve the years including tepee’s, trenches, tree houses and dustbin liners! Remember you’re unlikely to be spending a great deal of time in your tent so a basic waterproof dome is sufficient. For a bit of added luxury and campsite finesse you can pitch several dome tents in a square and erect a gazebo over the gap in the middle as a mini courtyard.

Make sure you have something soft to sleep on. Inflatable mattresses are the best, failing that a decent groundsheet and roll mat will take the edge of the hard, often rocky campsite ground.

Before you leave make sure your tent has enough decent tent pegs, which aren’t twisted and bent out of shape. Also pack a mallet to knock them into the ground.

Washing and personal hygiene

Keeping clean at festivals is a thankless task but if you’re the type of person who can’t enjoy the day if you don’t start it with a wash you have a few options at modern festivals.

Most festival grounds now have some sort of shower facilities. At Glastonbury there are several options including the environmentally friendly organic showers. At V festival they usually have prison like communal shower blocks- anyone with a weekend ticket which includes camping can use these for free.

Remember to take towels and shower gel to wash with. Girls will be glad to know many festivals have hairdryers and hair straighteners which you can rent (albeit at an extortionate price) look out for these near the shower facilities.

If queuing for a communal shower isn’t your thing you could invest in a camping shower (basically a big water tank with a shower head on it). These double up as useful storage for drinking water. Else the good old fashioned wet wipes will keep you feeling semi-fresh until the end of the weekend.

Clothes

Don’t go overboard with clothes at festivals but don’t trust the weatherman either and plan for all eventualities weather wise. A decent waterproof or poncho are always a good idea. As is some lightweight summer clothing or even beachwear in case it gets really hot.

On your feet you don’t want any sandal type shoes which will fall of in a crowd or get stuck in the mud. High heels are a terrible idea but you’ll know doubt see someone trying it. Trainers are a good option and wellington boots are always worth taking as well. Even if the weathers looking fine the slightest shower can turn festival sites into mud pits.

These packing tips will get you started but the most important thing to pack to a music festival is a sense of fun. The festival is only a couple of days so if you forget something or your tent eta flattened or blown away don’t despair, you’ll be back in your nice comfy bed by Monday.

John writes for V festival tickets a site which gives advice on planning for festivals and buying tickets to V festival.

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The Cannes film festival or ‘le Festival de Cannes’ is one of the most revered, glamorous and popular international film festivals across the world. Having originated in 1946, this festival represents one of the most respected and awaited film awards in the whole film industry, especially in the European film industry. The Cannes festival usually takes place on the ‘Palais des Festivals’ in the town of Cannes, situated in south of France.

Importance

The Cannes film festival has become one of the biggest film platforms especially for European films. The awards given out in the film festival for topping different sectors of the film industry is certainly one reason to be jealous for a co-worker in the same field. Many films also meet their premiere show at this film festival.

History

The first Cannes film festival was scheduled to start on 1st September, 1939 as the French’s fear of the Italian film festival and so it did. But the commencement of the World War II on the same month and the same year put an end to this festival. After this massive bloodshed of World War II had ended, the show resumed on 1946 in the old casino of Cannes. The first show was an immediate success and from 1947 its popularity could only increase.

In only its second year, movies from sixteen different countries took part in the festival. In 1955, the most prestigious prize of the ceremony, the Golden Palm, was introduced. Each year a jury under one person’s leadership chooses successful personnel from different sectors and awards are rewarded accordingly. Across the years the festival took many names until in 2002, it finally came to know as Festival de Cannes.

Awards distributed:

The festival introduces many awards on different sectors of movie making. The sectors can be divided into three categories such as competition, other sections and prizes given out by individual entities. The competition section is by far the most popular among all and consists of prizes such as the Golden Palm, the Grand Prize of Festival, Jury Prize, Best Actor Female, Best Actor Male, Best Director and Best Screenplay. The others section hosts prizes such as Best Feature Film and Student Films etc. There are also some other prizes in other sections.

The Cannes film festival 2010:

The Cannes festival 2010 is scheduled to be organized between 12 to 23rd May. A new category of prize called the Short Film is announced to be introduced from this year. As it is in the past years, the festival committee has already announced the head of Jury of the award ceremony. The name is Tim Burton, who is one of the new age Hollywood filmmakers who has been able to create a mid-way between art and popular movies. The festival is expected to be another big success as it has been in the past.

For more information about the Cannes festival, check out Plume-Noire.com’s coverage of the Cannes Film Festival. Visit http://www.plume-noire.com/movies/festivals/cannes-film-festival.html

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Austin is widely recognized as the music capital of not only the state of Texas, but perhaps the country. With its ongoing focus on promoting music, not only through festivals, but year round, the city’s music scene continues to grow, with new festivals coming on board all the time.

Three core festivals—South by Southwest (SXSW), Austin City Limits, and Old Settler’s Days—make up the centerpiece of Austin’s festival showcase. These festivals, as well as an ever-expanding retinue of new festivals, are continuing the tradition of making Austin a true music destination.

South by Southwest Music and Media Conference (March)

Featuring more than 1,800 music performances of all types from around the world, the SXSW Music and Media Conference is a legendary Austin event. The music takes place on more than 80 stages and other music venues throughout downtown Austin, with the greatest concentration focused on Red River and Sixth Streets.

South by Southwest (or SXSW), started out as a music and media event in the late 1980s, and now includes both a film festival and a new media conference in its growing program. While a fair amount of wheeling and dealing in the music business occurs during the day, the amazing range of concerts gives SXSW a definite festival feel.

During the day, the Convention Center in Austin is center stage for those in the music business. Conference attendees flood the trade show, which features a full agenda of informative (sometimes provocative) panel discussions that include hundreds of speakers from the music industry, making it a premier event for industry folks as well as average music lovers. It’s no surprise then that the SXSW is a highlight on the international music calendar.

Austin City Limits Music Festival (October)

The annual three-day festival, Austin City Limits Music Festival is held in Zilker Park, where more than 130 musical presentations are spread out among 8 stages and offer a range of music, from reggae to hip hop, blue grass to hard rock. A spin-off from the famed PBS series, “Austin City Limits,” what once was a festival featuring local performers has become as legendary as Bonaroo.

With its downtown location in Zilker Park, festival goers find that the entertainment often carries on long past festival hours, as bands jam into nearby music venues in the city in “after-shows” that bring the music down to a more intimate level. This festival also has the advantage of timing, as it comes (typically) after the summer Texas heat has subsided.

Old Settler’s Music Festival (April)

Old Settler’s Music Festival differs from other Austin music festivals largely in its orientation, which is largely designated as “roots” or Americana music. Held at the Salt Lick Pavilion and at Camp Ben McCulloch, the nationally recognized music festival is laid back and family friendly.

It offers the unique distinction of being held during the peak of the bluebonnet and wildflower season, making its Texas Hill Country location even better.

Most festival goers to the Old Settler’s Music Festival enjoy outdoor camping at Camp Ben McCulloch, and events revolve around campers. Festival goers enjoy more than 20 musical acts performing on 4 stages, as well as interactive events like performance workshops, arts and crafts, and a talent competition for the young (among other kids activities).

Minor festivals continue to develop and grow as Austin lends itself to a continuing (and expanding audience) for all types of music. In addition, many of the festivals benefit charities in the Austin area.

Austin Reggae Festival (April)

Held in Auditorium Shores, this weekend festival is also a great fundraiser for Austin’s Capital Area Food Bank.

Austin Urban Festival (April)

Begun in 2006, the one-day Austin Urban Festival has captured a distinctively different vibe from other Austin music festivals. Strengthening each year as it develops, it has a strong list of performances by African American artists and benefits the Soul Tree Collective.

Red Gorilla Music Fest (March)

Seeking to showcase new and emerging talent, this two day show features 500 artists playing on 10 stages. The festival’s stated mission is to “promote up-and-coming music in all genres by helping independent artists gain exposure to and awareness of industry, performance, product, and marketing.”

Christine Zibas is a veteran of the think tank world, having worked in both Washington, DC, and London. She is a former travel writer, specializing in educational travel. Her last job before becoming a freelance writer was as director of publications for a nonprofit organization, based in Chicago, Illinois.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christine_Zibas

Ladakh is region that has been located at the state of Jammu and Kashmir inbetween the Kunlun mountains in the north and the Great Himalayas in the south. The major residents of the region are Indo-Aryan and the ethnic Tibetan and the area is sparsely populated. Ladakh is the region which is known for its mountain ranges and the beauty of mountains.

Visiting Ladakh during the festive season can be the best planned tour for the travelers. During the festive season in Ladakh many travelers from around the globe visit the place. There are many festivals in the Leh Ladakh region that are visited by the tourists from all around the world.

Hemis Festival (June-July)

Hemis Festival is one of the biggest and the most important festivals of the Ladakh region. Hemis is the two-day festival that is celebrated in the Hemis Monastery. The festival is celebrated to commemorate the birth of Guru Padamasambhava who is believed to save the local people from demons. The best time to shop for the handicraft items is the Hemis festival. The Hemis Festival starts from June-July.

Ladakh Festival (Early September)

The Ladakh Festival is one of the biggest festivals of the Jammu and Kashmir state. This Ladakh festival is organized by the tourism department of the Jammu and Kashmir state. The festival showcases the culture and tradition of Ladakh. The highlights of the festival are the folk dance and the music. Travelers can also enjoy the polo and archery competition during the festival.

Losar Festival (January)

Losar festival in Ladakh is celebrated during the winter months of the year. The festival takes place in the eleventh month of the Buddhist year, which occurs in the November, December or January. The festival has its origin in the 15th century. During the festival Buddhists make offering to the God.

Dosmoche Festival

The Dosmoche is the festival that is celebrated in Ladakh for the new year. The festival is celebrated in the second half of the February in Leh, it is said to be the festival of scapegoat. The wooden mast has been set up to adorned with the streamers and the religious emblem with the offerings of storma (ritual figures molded out of dough) that have been cast away into the desert or burnt. These scapegoats carry away with them the evil spirits of the old year, and thus the town is cleansed and made ready to welcome the new year.

Other Festivals

There are number of other festivals also in Ladakh. Some of the festivals in Ladakh includes Lamayuru which takes place in July. Phiyang takes place in July- August, after the 10 days of celebration of Phiyang another festival Tak- Thok is held. The special Phiyang festival is exhibiting the thangka, which is done every year unlike Hemis, where thangka is exhibited once in 12 years.

How to Reach Ladakh?

By Air: Leh is linked by all the regular flights to and from Delhi, Chandigarh, Jammu and Srinagar.

By Road: The distance between the Srinagar Leh road remains open for the traffic from June to November. The Jammu and Kashmir Road Transport Corporation runs the Deluxe and the Ordinary bus service between the Srinagar to Leh with an overnight halt at Kargil. Taxis, cars and jeeps are also available in Srinagar for the journey.

Gather more information on fairs and festivals of Ladakh from http://www.travel-himalayas.com/

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