Emlyn Williams Theatre, Mold, North Wales: 20th February 2003

Clwyd Theatr Cymru commemorated the 50th anniversary of the death of the Welsh poet, Dylan Thomas (1914-1953) with a superb run of performances by a small but accomplished cast of actors.

Described in the programme as “A theatrical journey through the prose writing of Dylan Thomas”, the production was created by Tim Baker, an Associate of the Royal National Theatre, who won the Manchester Evening News Best Visiting Production award in 1992 for the highly acclaimed To Kill a Mockingbird.

Although Thomas is best known for his ‘play for voices’, Under Milk Wood, his evocative poems such as Fern Hill and Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night are rarely overlooked when anthologies celebrating 20th century poetry are put together. Indeed, this mesmerizing interpretation of Thomas’s short stories could well be described as a rich fusion of prose and poetry. For example, in a scene crossing a river he speaks of, “slipping stepping stones” and early on in the piece he describes his “love” of words thus:

“And these words were, to me, as the notes of bells, the sounds of musical instruments, the noises of wind, sea and rain, the rattle of milk carts, the clopping of hooves on cobbles, the fingering of branches on a window pane, might be to someone deaf from birth, who has miraculously found his hearing.”

The company of five use only stools and orange boxes to set the scenes for Thomas’s vivid recollections of his boyhood in Swansea. The young Dylan is played brilliantly by Russell Gomer, who struts and capers across the hazily lit stage, reliving the poet’s every memory as if it was his own. His fellow actors play a myriad of characters. The slightly built but enormously gifted Zo

It was my hip and trendy cousin Riya, fresh from a throbbing life in Mumbai who came out with a rather opinionated statement–”there’s not much of nightlife in Kolkata”. And there stood I, the sucker for the tastes and essences of Kolkata, glaring at her ignorance of the new avatar it has come up with. “Well”, I grinned, “if City Center, the plush Shoppers’ Stop or Metro Plaza has not taught you what a metamorphosis our city has gone through, you had better jived out at one of our discotheques to eat up what you uttered right now!”

In fact, what we wanted was an out-and-out experiential fun event. And in our quest, we landed up in “Tantra”, the idyllic hotspot of lovers and pals, foot-tapping teenyboppers and lustful party-animals. The electrifying dance floor at Tantra was hot, reflecting enough of style, panache and oomph. My cousin Riya was flattered to see the hippest crowd of Kolkata dance into the wee hours, which, in a way pampered her flamboyant lifestyle. Cherishing the coquetry and live music, I went on tapping my feet at the celebrated hub, the Mecca of the DJs and VJs performing at each weekend. Being in the media, I had already swallowed plenty of juicy scoops of how and why “Tantra” happens to be a plain titillating experience and a provoking “singles’ corner” for umpteen members as well as non-members. Some girls I knew keep harping on how lucky they have been to bump into their “prince charmings” at the dance floors. And there I was, tasting every bit of the bragging clubbing circuit of the City of Joy, wild party animals rocking the disc floors, DJs spinning the turnables, and last, but not the least, hot models creating a stir with their plunging tops tickling male fantasies. All these make for good scoop for the illustrious Page 3′s, huh? And coupled with a glimpse of a hot celeb action, who can say, the next MMS story may originate right over here?

Jokes apart, what I liked in particular that night at Tantra was an amazing ambience to replicate the abundance of fun and frolic existing in Kolkata, the proverbial City of Joy. Besides, there were the custom sound systems tailor-made to suit the required ambience in each area. With a superb dance floor perfect for some wild partying, it was great to see the go-go dancers add color and gaiety to the m

The second and third week in September bring Expo New Mexico to downtown Albuquerque. All of the state’s best as well as an ample list of national entertainment highlight the festivities of this state’s annual fair.

No two state fairs are the same and New Mexico’s shines with the epitome of southwestern themes. In addition to the arts and the agricultural exhibits of the area this fair also boasts a Native American Village, African American Pavilion, and the Villa Hispana, where each shows off the best and most unique elements of local music and art. Not only are indigenous cultures given the spotlight there are also interesting concessions for visitors’ purchases. Silver and turquoise jewelry are available for purchase. Also for hungry visitors such dietary delights as tacos and buffalo burgers are to be had for a nominal fee.

Expo New Mexico lists among its state’s Natural Resources Building exhibits those dealing with minerals and the mining industry of the region. This would tend to distinguish this fair from others in different parts of the country.

Not that this 236 acre fair lacks any features of other fairs: it does not! All of the carnival atmosphere, 4H judging and rodeo events that are found at the typical state fair are to be found at Expo New Mexico.

Attesting to the artistic culture of New Mexico the state fair has several galleries to showcase some of the state’s most amazing artists. For the younger kids there’s lots of displays of elementary, middle, and high school level artwork the School Arts building.

The timing of this fair after Labor Day is particularly beneficial to the traveler. In general most of the rates associated with traveling are cheaper by that time and the crowds are definitely thinner. The cooler weather of early Autumn make New Mexico a very pleasant place to be and still a nice warm place to visit if you are trying to get away from the downright cold weather of some of the Northern states.

Gail Leino is known throughout the internet world as Mrs. Party. She has become the internet’s leading authority on selecting the best possible party supplies with clever themes. Her simple party planning approach demostrates how to use proper manners while teaching etiquette with organizational skills. She shares lots of interesting fun facts. See travel vacations for more tips and holiday spot destinations.