We are barely two months into the new year, and there is already another club closing that has been announced on the Las Vegas Strip. Sources say ROK Vegas at the New York-New York Resort will be closing as of April 1, 2012.

To be honest, this isn’t really a shock. It’s been open for many years and has gotten to that point in the Vegas nightlife scene where it wasn’t drawing in the huge crowds any more.

That’s not to say it didn’t have its good points, including free champagne for ladies from 11-midnight, and a terrace with a great view of the Strip. But it also had its bad points like expensive drinks. Even the water was $5, regardless of if it was bottled or tap. The co-ed bathroom was also an incredibly stupid idea.

At any rate, the source also tells me that the resort plans a quick turn around of the space and it looks like it may become some sort of live performance venue. Whether that is music or some headliner show theater wasn’t exactly clear. Plans are for this new venue to open sometime late spring/early summer 2012.

In the meantime, you can still have a lot of fun at some of resort’s still open venues like Coyote Ugly, Nine Irishmen and Pour 24.

ROK Vegas was a spin-off of the popular Miami club, RokBar Miami, which has also closed.

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ROK Vegas
New York-New York Resort
3790 Las Vegas Blvd S
Las Vegas, NV 89109
Phone: 702-740-6969
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[Image courtesy of ROK Vegas]

Vegas is know to offer some exotic experiences so if you’re looking for an out of the ordinary trip experience in the notorious desert, then the lounge/bar experience in Las Vegas, give the Lady Silvia a try.

First thing you should know is that it can be hard to find. It’s north of downtown, in the Soho Lofts building, near Heritage Park. There’s no sign outside and even though the address says it’s on S. Las Vegas Blvd, the actual entrance is on Hoover Ave., going towards 4th St. You’ll find off-street parking at 4th and Hoover.

Inside, the decor resembles a library, complete with books on the wall. There are a few areas to sit, but the staff hates it when larger groups try to rearrange the furniture. I would say the whole place comes off as a prohibition-era speakeasy.

Music is provided nightly by a DJ with the sound leaning towards house, and they also sometimes hold special events like art and fashion shows.

This vibe extends to the bar menu. Basically, they do simple drinks like scotch on the rocks, classic martinis, Manhattans and the like. Surprisingly, the brew menu has quite a few microbrews, as well as a few of the usual suspects.

Prices are a bit on the high side, but no more than you’d find anywhere else on The Strip. You can save a bit by visiting during their daily happy hour, from 4pm-6pm, and their mid-week reverse happy hour (Tuesday through Thursday from 11pm-1am), when drinks are half-off.

Lady Silvia opens daily at 3pm and, in a rarity for Vegas, is smoke free.

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The Lady Silvia
900 Las Vegas Blvd S
Las Vegas, NV 89101
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[Image courtesy of The Lady Silvia]

There are plenty of locations throughout Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, to grab a drink (except for the Magic Kingdom, which doesn’t sell any alcohol). Some people even make a game out of “drinking around the World” at Epcot.

But you may not be aware that you can actually buy sample flights, too. These are perfect to share with a friend, or when you want to try a few things without committing to a full glass of something.

The Rose and Crown at Epcot’s United Kingdom pavillion has one of my favorite beer samplers. The “Imperial Sampler” offers up a taste of Bass, Harp, Strongbow Cider, Boddington’s and Guinness.

If you don’t want to pay to get into Epcot, Raglan Road at Downtown Disney has a similar sampler, with tastes of Harp, Guinness, Smithwicks and Kilkenny. Big River Brewery at the Boardwalk resort also has a great sampler of their microbrews, ranging from a pilsner to a dark lager.

Whiskey fans will want to try the Canadian whiskey sampler available at Le Cellier in Epcot’s Canadian pavillion. It features 3/4oz. pours of Pendleton, 40 Creek, and Crown Royal.

On the other side of the entry to Epcot’s world showcase is Mexico, where you can purchase sampler flights of both tequila and margaritas. Both are yummy!

Vino fans can enjoy a sampler of red or white vintages in Epcot’s French pavillion at Les Vins de France, and also at Animal Kingdom Lodge’s restaurants.

Prices vary according to what you order and where.

Do you have a favorite flight or sampler that you order at Walt Disney World? Let us know what and where.

[Image courtesy of Michelle Snow]

Thodos Dance Chicago

The winter season is never quite complete without Thodos Dance Chicago’s annual winter concert. The vibrant contemporary dance troupe consistently delivers exciting and fresh choreography but  this season’s show commemorates the company’s 20th anniversary so expect an extra special performance.

The winter concert kicks off at the Harris Theater on March 2 and 3 at 8PM, with a two part program. The first half showcases “The White City: Chicago’s Colombian Exhibition 1983,” the acclaimed piece was named best dance of 2011 by the Chicago Sun Times and draws on Chicago’s rich history  with brisk moves and inviting colors.  The second portion  features ‘Getting There”  by Melissa Thodos, a thrilling performance full of quick execution. The concert will be capped off by two historical dances that have snared the title of audience favorites over the years, “Chant” and “Piece By Piece.” Both feature Melissa Thodos’ athletic choreography borrowing from diverse dance forms.  Tickets range from $20-$60. Thodos Dance Chicago tours nationally and internationally and is noted for an innovative presence in American contemporary dance.  The winter concert will mark the company’s only Chicago performance this season so don’t miss it.

Thodos Dance Chicago

Harris Theater at Millennium Park

205 E. Randolph

Chicago, IL

(312) 334-7777

Photo courtesy of Thodos Dance Chicago

Nashville Schermerhorn Symphony Center

Nashville may earn a firm reputation as the country music capital but you can hear a diverse range of genres in Music City. Live jazz, rock and R &B are performed throughout Nashville but if you want to hear classical, there’s no better place than Schermerhorn Symphony Center where the Nashville Symphony performs along with a host of other ensembles.

An evening at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center provides beautiful surroundings, food and music.  Filled with artwork, crystal chandeliers and even a public garden with a colonnade, the center is filled with classical elegance.  Before concerts, the fine dining restaurant Arpeggio located in the East Lobby, serves up a luxurious four course buffet with an eclectic range of dishes including quail breast, pesto seared halibut and grilled vegetable stuffed ravioli.  The center hosts a range of symphony concerts, including shows with Nashville Symphony Chorus and the symphony backing nationally acclaimed vocalists.  March performances feature a mix of classical, jazz and world music including  jazz singer Cassandra Wilson,  The Cleveland Orchestra, Spanish Harlem Orchestra and Lyle Lovett & John Hiatt. Concerts start at 7 or 8 PM and tickets are reserved in advance.

Nashville Symphony

One Symphony Place

Nashville, TN

(615) 687-6500

Photo courtesy of Nashville Symphony

Live Music In Barcelona 2012

I like just about all music, except for Death Metal and House. Here are three very different concerts for a musical March in Barcelona!:

1. 30 Minutes of Music (30 Minuts de Música) with Mercadante & Llull

At one of my favorite Barcelona hideaways, the Ateneu Barcelonès Marcelo Mercadante y Gustavo Llull will put on three 30-minute concerts on the 11th of March. The first one begins at 6pm. Tickets are just €8.00 (or get them here for a discounted price).

2. Antonio Mesa – Bcn Jazz Flamenco

At the central Barcelona club Jamboree, jazzman Antonio Mesa will play two sets on the 8th of March, one at 8pm and another at 10pm. Tickets are €12.00 each online.

3. Tinariwen at Sala Apolo

Called world music, or a ‘fantastic fusion of North African and pop music’, Tinariwen promises to be a unique show not offered every day in Barcelona. Tickets for this one are €30 each, less online here: tix

Post and photos by Regina Winkle-Bryan. See more of her tips on Spain at : The Spain Scoop.

A striking piece of Nashville art

Nashville may be noted for music but the city’s art scene is also impressive. There are dozens of art galleries and  art museums that line the streets of downtown Nashville and the best way to get a sense of the art scene is at the First Saturday Art Crawl. Scheduled for the first Saturday of every month, the free event features wine, refreshments and the chance to view and purchase amazing art.

Galleries are open from 6 to 9PM for the event and two free shuttles ride between the galleries all night.  Although most are close enough to walk to in may experience. Exhibits change each month and more galleries seem to be opening for Nashville’s thriving art scene. One of my favorites was the Rymer Gallery, a contemporary art space patterned after the Betty Rymer Gallery at the Art Institute of Chicago. Another standout was the Ha Factory Gallery, a new gallery opened by Vietnamese artist John Hung Ha. His vibrant mixed media art pieces were fresh and memorable. After browsing through about five different galleries, one of the most striking sights of the evening wasn’t an art piece but the bright yellow cupcake bus. The food truck for the popular Cupcake Collection, the Cupcake truck provides homemade cupcakes for late night sweet tooths. I still dream bout the creamy red velvet cupcake.

Photo courtesy of Rosalind Cummings-Yeates

Inside the Bluebird Cafe

Nashville nurtures its reputation as the music city of the U.S. by supporting hundreds of venues and opportunities for musicians but there’s no place that left as big an impression on me as the Bluebird Cafe.  Most people have heard of the Grand Ol Opry and Nashville’s storied honky tonks but the Bluebird Cafe, a tiny 100-seat room in the middle of a non nondescript strip mall, provides just as much star power.

The Bluebird bills itself as promoting the “heroes behind the hits” and I think there’s a lot of truth in that clever tagline. 100 seats in the round, encircling a small stage, allows listeners to enjoy intimate connections with the performers that’s rarely possible at bigger venues. Considered a listening room more than a club, patrons will shush you if you talk to loudly. But that doesn’t happen very often because the featured singer-songwriters are typically captivating. Kathy Mattea, Garth Brooks, Kenny Chesney and Taylor Swift all played the Bluebird before they won fame so you never know what soon-to-be star you might be listening to. The night I visited, I heard a young singer songwriter named Blair Bodine, she had a pure voice and memorable storytelling skills. I bought her CD and it’s become one of my favorites.  She’s not a country singer but that’s the charm of Nashville, it really is a music city.The cafe is all ages and serves up a varied menu of appetizers, sandwiches and desserts. Reservations are a good idea.

The Bluebird Cafe

4104 Hillsboro Pike

Nashville, TN

615-383-3669

Photo courtesy of Rosalind Cummings-Yeates

Disclosure: The Bluebird Cafe visit was part of a sponsored press trip.

Jazz Si

JazzSí Club Taller de Músics is tucked into the edgy Raval neighborhood in central Barcelona. This is not a fancy place, but it is an excellent spot to see live music for cheap. JazzSí Club Taller de Músics offers up flamenco, pop, rock, blues, Cuban tunes and jazz on different nights of the week. A Jam Session open to all musicians happens every Saturday at 7:45pm for those who play play jazz. On Sunday there’s another Jam Session at 6:30pm for those who play jazz. You can just come and watch, too, for €6.00 which includes a drink.

On Fridays JazzSí Club Taller de Músics puts on a flamenco show and it is one of their more popular events. This show begins at 8:45pm and is €8.00 with a drink. I’ve been to this flamenco performance and can vouch for it. However, the musicians at JazzSí Club Taller de Músics often change from show to show.

On Thursdays check out their Cuban grooves at 8:30pm for €7.50. Wednesdays entrance is free but you must buy something at the bar, same goes for Tuesdays. Mondays there’s a jazz show at 7:45pm, and entrance is just €5.00. The nice thing about this club is that the shows begin early, meaning you could eat afterwards.

See more on JazzSí Club Taller de Músics here: http://www.tallerdemusics.com/jazzsi-club/

Post and photos by Regina Winkle-Bryan. See more of her tips on Spain at : The Spain Scoop.

Beers in Dublin

When in Dublin they say that one must drink Guinness, and so I did and in great quantities. While I did not do the Guinness factory tour while in Dublin, I did sample the black beverage in many a fine pub.

Apart from sipping Guinness, one is also told to visit the popular, albeit a tad touristy, Temple Bar area and indeed the Temple Bar itself. I did not go inside Temple Bar, but I did pub-hop one evening in the zone where there seems to be live music in every bar on the street. One place I ducked into was Quay’s, where a Guinness goes for €5.00 a pint. There was live music on around 8pm, so I stayed and saw a couple sets. The bar also has a restaurant that has pretty decent ratings on Trip Advisor, but I didn’t eat there.

The whole area around Temple Bar is really hopping on the weekend. While perhaps a bit commercial, it’s a fun scene and good people-watching.

MORE:

Quay’s Bar12 Temple Bar –  Dublin 2, Dublin, Ireland

Post and photos by Regina Winkle-Bryan. See more of her tips on travel at : The Spain Scoop.