R & H SEGERSTROM CONCERT HALL – COSTA MESA, CA GIACOMO PUCCINI’S “LA BOHEME” staged in concert APRIL 19, 21, 24, 8 P.M. by Angela Rocco DeCarlo Pacific Symphony’s masterful concert production of Giacomo Puccini’s great love story, “La Boheme,” is the very distillation of operatic chic. With Carl St. Clair conducting and A. Scott Parry directing, the Pacific Symphony orchestra’s vibrant, yet, velvet backdrop to the opera’s sexy lead singers produced a singular intimate sensation.   Frankly, it was a revelation to experience such an affecting “La Boheme” in a concert setting. Last night’s performance at the Renee & Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, Costa Mesa, ( next April 21 & 24 ) demonstrates Puccini was and remains a great artist of human emotions. His music – which he orchestrated, as well as composed – apparently doesn’t need elaborate sets and costumes when it has young beautiful actors with fine voices to carry the drama. Hyung Yun as Marcello captivated with his abundant dramatic charm and exasperation at Georgia Jarman’s naughty Musetta. Denis Sedov’s imposing stature as Colline is endlessly graceful, while David Lomeli as Rodolfo and Maija Kovalevska and Mimi make real the unfortunate lovers. Jeremy Kelly’s Schaunard is the resourceful friend. Together they filled a ...

Hello darlings!  Traveling Diva, at your service!  I did a bit of research, and Dallas is not as boring as you think !  Here are a few off-the-beaten-path things to consider for group outings before and after the fabulous event.  Woo hoo! My first pick: Deep Ellum - I discovered this hunting around on the net and it looks amazing for a full day into night trip.  Try out the Art Cafe and shop for odd stuff surrounded by the NY loft backdrop before picking a live music spot to settle into.  Deep Ellum has been often described as a 'little New Orleans and Southern SoHo' - It is trendy, zaney, and very unique. The shops you will see there are even decorated in a very colorful manner. This is the place for pyschics and tattoo shops, as well as individual nightlife and restaurants. Deep Ellum is the modern eclectic side of Dallas. This website gives you all the info but the upcoming events calendar is a bit outdated...  :) http://ondaweb.com/deep_ellum/ This one deserves a "hod-dam!" The 6th Floor Museum -   Go to the 'lower Greenville Street' area, northeast of the city. It's a small, 'happening' area, with some blues bars, restaurants, and ...

By Josie Villa-Singleton , aka Travelista San Antonio de Areco provides a quiet refuge from the hustle and bustle of Buenos Aires just a scant 70 miles away. Every year in November they celebrate all things gaucho with the Dia de la Tradiccion festival. I’ll chalk it up to my Texas roots that I’m fascinated with these “cowboys” of South America. During a 3 1/2 month stay in Argentina last year we visited the town of San Antonio de Areco.  We missed the Dia de la Tradiccion festival but were still eager to visit the town and stay at a nearby estancia. In my research I quickly learned that a stay at an estancia doesn’t come cheap, even in Argentinian Pesos. Our family decided to go for “broke” and we chose the highly lauded Estancia El Ombu de Areco for a night’s stay (you can also purchase a day visit). We arrived at the  Estancia El Ombu de Areco to find tables set up on the beautiful lawn for lunch.  That dissipated the stress of the bus ride from Buenos Aires. The freely flowing Malbec didn’t hurt either. In a page right out of the guidebooks we enjoyed a magnificent traditional Argentine asado ...

Larisa Safaryan Presenting her intricate egg shell sculptures. Larisa Safaryan chose egg shells to create her delicate works. On the same show - a Group Exhibition of original oil paintings, Mixed media and sculptures by our gallery artists. Don't miss this rare opportunity to attend our Artist's Reception   Opening night Reception and Exhibit Saturday, March 31, 2012 From 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm Gallery Exhibit March 31, 2012 - May 18, 2012 Please join us on March 31 for a special reception and meet these artists in person! Silvana Gallery  Location and Hours  Get Directions  Tel: 818 662 7070, Tel: 818 395 0313, Fax 818 662 7075       Tuesday - Saturday 11am - 7pm   Sunday and Monday closed  info@silvanagallery.com     www.silvanagallery.com This Exhibition is Sponsored by SVH Tours and Travel Services www.pleasantvacation.com     www.applespecials.com

By Emanuela Cariolagian We arrived in Port Grimaud on Saturday afternoon, quickly changed into our swim suits and went to catch some afternoon rays of sunshine on the beach.  We sat under the warm and soothing sun, which felt so good on our tanned skin, and quietly and peacefully read our books, from time to time reading to each other funny excerpts from each of our three different books…laughing and sharing… As we sat along the bord de la mer, smelling the salty and crisp air of the sea…we heard the sea gulls crying and the waves crashing along the seaboard…the sound of these natural phenomenon made us relax even further into a tranquility and peace that rarely exists in Paris.  The fresh and clean air was beating against our soft skin delving us further into a meditative state of being… We looked far at the sea, mesmerized by the waves that were dancing and seducing us…with the strong and green mountains behind the body of water… it reminded us of the hills of Spain. And as we walked back to the cozy and quaint summer holiday villa along the canal and marina of Port Grimaud, we saw some boats go by and the ...