Pura Tanah Lot is also a very attractions on the island of Bali tessohor. Starting from a trip to Tanah Lot, you are going to feel happy sometimes uncomfortable. Starting from a trip to Tanah Lot, you are going to feel happy sometimes uncomfortable. My advice try to drive a motorcycle ride to get there. My advice try to drive a motorcycle ride to get there. You will be greeted by nature a very beautiful countryside, rice terraces that stretch, with a green tinge so refreshing your eyes, your eyes left and right in a very broad way you were treated especially the beautiful panorama, you will not be bored for about 45 minutes travel from Kuta. You will be greeted by nature a very beautiful countryside, rice terraces that stretch, with a green tinge so refreshing your eyes, your eyes left and right in a very broad way you were treated especially the beautiful scenery, you will not be bored for about 45 minutes travel from Kuta.
The air is also different from the air which tends to Kuta Beach hot, while you're driving in the area near the rice paddies you will be exposed by gentle wind is fresh and cool slightly. The water is also different from the water which tends to Kuta Beach hot, while you're driving in the area near the rice paddies you will be exposed by gentle wind is fresh and cool slightly. But it is different from the cold air in the mountains. But it is different from the cold water in the mountains. Only in this paddy field area is more oxygen rich because many plants along the way, the traffic was not too crowded except at the holiday season. Only in this Paddy field area is more oxygen rich because many plants along the way, the traffic was not too crowded except at the holiday season.
But do you know the Legend of Tanah Lot Temple itself? But do you know the Legend of Tanah Lot Temple itself? This is the story for you, it is said at the time of a royal tersebutlah majapahit Bhagawan named Dang Hyang Dang hyang Dwijendra or Nirarta. This is the story for you, it is said at the time of a royal tersebutlah Bhagawan majapahit named Dang Hyang Dang hyang Dwijendra or Nirarta. He dekenal in the spread of Hindu religion ajaraan with the name "Dharma Yatra ', he is known in chilli is called" Mr. Sumeru "or teacher of semeru a name of a mountain in East Java. He dekenal in the spread of the Hindu religion ajaraan with the name "Dharma Yatra ', he is known in chilli is called" Mr.. Sumeru "or teacher of semeru a name of a mountain in East Java.
At the time he came to Bali to perform its mission, which ruled in Bali at the time was King Dalem Waturenggong who welcomed him with great respect. At the time he came to Bali to perform its mission, which ruled in Bali at the time was King Dalem Waturenggong who welcomed him with great respect. He spread the religion to-remote corners of the island, is mentioned when he ran a "Dharma Yatra" in the hair Sivi, he saw the holy light from the southeast and follow up on the source who turned out to be a source of water. He spread the religion to-remote corners of the island, is mentioned when he ran a "Dharma Yatra" in the hair Sivi, he saw the holy light from the southeast and follow up on the source who turned out to be a source of water .
Not far from where the spring he found a very beautiful place called "parrot dyke" (meaning rock dike, Beo means the name of a bird) so it is a rock shaped like a bird. Not far from where the spring he found a very beautiful place called "parrot Dyke" (meaning rock dike, Beo means the name of a bird) so it is a rock shaped like a bird. This placed him in meditation and worship of the god pengguasa sea. This placed him in meditation and worship of the god pengguasa sea. Batukarang location is included in Beraban Village area, and he began spreading his teachings to the people of Beraban Village, which is headed by didesa a holy leader called "Bendesa Beraban Sakti". Batukarang location is included in Beraban Village area, and he began spreading his Teachings to the people of Beraban Village, which is headed by didesa a holy leader called "Bendesa Beraban Sakti". Earlier villagers Beraban momotheisme hold to the teaching. Earlier momotheisme Beraban villagers hold to the teaching.
In a short time many people follow the teachings Beraban Nirarta Dang Hyang then make Bendesa Beraban very angry and asked his followers are still loyal to drive this holy Bhagawan. In a short time many people follow the Teachings Beraban Dang Hyang Nirarta Bendesa Beraban then make very angry and asked his followers are still loyal to drive this holy Bhagawan. With the power possessed sepiritual, Dang Hyang Nirarta protect themselves from attacks by moving Beraban Bendesa large rock where he meditated to the middle of the ocean and creates a lot of snakes with a shawl around the rock as a protector and guard the place. With the power possessed sepiritual, Dang Hyang Nirarta protect themselves from attacks by moving Beraban Bendesa large rock where he meditated to the middle of the ocean and creates a lot of snakes with a Shawl around the rock as a protector and guard the place.
Then he gave the name "Central Lot" means land in the middle of the Sea. Then he gave the name "Central Lot" means land in the middle of the Sea. Finally Bendesa Beraban admitted testimony and spiritual power of Danghyang Nirarta, and a faithful follower and take it to spread the teachings of the local population. Finally Bendesa Beraban admitted testimony and spiritual power of Danghyang Nirarta, and a faithful follower and take it to spread the Teachings of the local population. As a token of thanks before continuing his journey to a sacred keris known as the "Jaramenara / Ki New Elephant" to Bendesa Beraban. As a token of thanks before continuing his journey to a sacred keris known as the "Jaramenara / Ki New Elephant" to Bendesa Beraban. We have the keris is stored in Castle Kediri a very sacred and holidays diupacarai brass. We have the keris is stored in Castle Kediri a very sacred and holidays diupacarai brass. Ceremony at Pura Tanah Lot once every 210 days of the "Wage Langkir Buda" in accordance with the Balinese calendar dates. Ceremony at Pura Tanah Lot, once every 210 days of the "Wage Langkir Buda" in accordance with the Balinese calendar dates. www.wisatamurahbali.com
AMAZING KECAK DANCE
Fascinating Kecak
Kecak is a typical Balinese performing arts that was created in 1930 and played mainly by men. This dance performed by many (tens or more) male dancers who sit in a circle and lined with a certain rhythm called "top" and raised both arms, depicting the Ramayana as Rama's line of apes help fight Ravana.
However, Kecak Trance Dance ritual comes from, the tradition of dance that the dancers will be in unconscious condition, to communicate with God or the spirits of the ancestors and then convey expectations to the circle masyarakat.penari is wearing plaid cloth as a board chess around their waists. Besides the dancers, there were other dancers who portray the characters as Rhama Ramayana, Shinta, Ravana, Hanuman, and the Kecak dance Sugriwa.Lagu taken from Trance dance ritual.
Also, do not use musical instruments. Kincringan used only imposed on the feet of dancers who portray the characters Ramayana.Sekitar 1930s Wayan modulus worked with German painter Walter Spies to create dances based on traditional Kecak Trance and parts of the Ramayana story. Wayan modulus at popularizing this dance around the world in the entourage of his Balinese dancers. www.wisatamurahbali.com
Kecak is a typical Balinese performing arts that was created in 1930 and played mainly by men. This dance performed by many (tens or more) male dancers who sit in a circle and lined with a certain rhythm called "top" and raised both arms, depicting the Ramayana as Rama's line of apes help fight Ravana.
However, Kecak Trance Dance ritual comes from, the tradition of dance that the dancers will be in unconscious condition, to communicate with God or the spirits of the ancestors and then convey expectations to the circle masyarakat.penari is wearing plaid cloth as a board chess around their waists. Besides the dancers, there were other dancers who portray the characters as Rhama Ramayana, Shinta, Ravana, Hanuman, and the Kecak dance Sugriwa.Lagu taken from Trance dance ritual.
Also, do not use musical instruments. Kincringan used only imposed on the feet of dancers who portray the characters Ramayana.Sekitar 1930s Wayan modulus worked with German painter Walter Spies to create dances based on traditional Kecak Trance and parts of the Ramayana story. Wayan modulus at popularizing this dance around the world in the entourage of his Balinese dancers. www.wisatamurahbali.com
Travel to Bali, Kintamani
In the mountains around Kintamani, there is Mount Batur with a deep crater lake and hot springs are turbulent. The cool mountain air with views in all directions, as beautiful with the existence of several important temples, which have made Kintamani become one of the places that do not forgotten the Bali tourist agenda.
Mount Batur is actually only one small eruptions gnung, but its location was in the midst of a large crater diameter of 14 Km. In addition, Mount Batur Lake Batur adjacent to the crescent-shaped high wall surrounded the outskirts of the crater. The size of the crater steepness will make you imagine the massive eruption of Mount Batur which happened ten thousand years ago.
The mountain is still active today as Balinese people who still remember the eruption that occurred in the 1917 eruption which has taken thousands of lives and destroyed hundreds of temples. Another eruption often occurs after the incident, forcing local people to be evacuated, along with several temples including one of the main temple of Bali, Ulun Danu. Ulun Danu temple which was originally located in a large crater, and then moved to the top of the hill. Now, Ulun Danu temple offers a view of Mount Batur is charming. www.wisatakebali.com
Mount Batur is actually only one small eruptions gnung, but its location was in the midst of a large crater diameter of 14 Km. In addition, Mount Batur Lake Batur adjacent to the crescent-shaped high wall surrounded the outskirts of the crater. The size of the crater steepness will make you imagine the massive eruption of Mount Batur which happened ten thousand years ago.
The mountain is still active today as Balinese people who still remember the eruption that occurred in the 1917 eruption which has taken thousands of lives and destroyed hundreds of temples. Another eruption often occurs after the incident, forcing local people to be evacuated, along with several temples including one of the main temple of Bali, Ulun Danu. Ulun Danu temple which was originally located in a large crater, and then moved to the top of the hill. Now, Ulun Danu temple offers a view of Mount Batur is charming. www.wisatakebali.com
Federer primeste sfaturi despre cum sa fie tata de la Tiger Woods
de Andra Popa HotNews.ro
Miercuri, 19 august 2009, 17:19 Sport | Tenis
Federer a pierdut la Tsonga la Montreal dupa ce elvetianul a condus cu 5-1 in decisiv. O fi fost obosit?, se intreaba italienii de la Gazzetta dello Sport, care il suspecteaza pe Federer ca nu mai doarme suficient de cand i s-au nascut cele doua fetite, Mylai si Charlene. "Noaptea ma odihnesc destul de bine, insa viata a devenit mult mai frumoasa cu micutele", a replicat elvetianul.
Federer e incantat de noua postura pe care o are, mai ales ca un prieten apropiat si faimos i-a dat cateva sfaturi de cum sa se descurce in rolul de tata. "Tiger mi-a spus ca nu e imposibil sa fiu si un tata bun si un jucator de top, numai ca trebuie sa rezist in primele luni", a mai spus Federer.
Miercuri, 19 august 2009, 17:19 Sport | Tenis
Federer a pierdut la Tsonga la Montreal dupa ce elvetianul a condus cu 5-1 in decisiv. O fi fost obosit?, se intreaba italienii de la Gazzetta dello Sport, care il suspecteaza pe Federer ca nu mai doarme suficient de cand i s-au nascut cele doua fetite, Mylai si Charlene. "Noaptea ma odihnesc destul de bine, insa viata a devenit mult mai frumoasa cu micutele", a replicat elvetianul.
Federer e incantat de noua postura pe care o are, mai ales ca un prieten apropiat si faimos i-a dat cateva sfaturi de cum sa se descurce in rolul de tata. "Tiger mi-a spus ca nu e imposibil sa fiu si un tata bun si un jucator de top, numai ca trebuie sa rezist in primele luni", a mai spus Federer.
UBS study: Salary level in Romania comparable with Colombia and Thailand
de V.O. HotNews.ro
Miercuri, 19 august 2009, 20:53 English | Business
Romania and Bulgaria are the countries with the lowest salaries in Europe, comparable to salaries in Colombia and Thailand, according to a study by Swiss bank UBS. The study shows Bucharest comes 67 among 73 world cities in terms of price levels.
The same study shows the most expensive cities are Oslo, Copenhagen, Zurich and Geneva, while the highest salaries are to be found in Switzerland, Denmark and the US.
Bucharest prices are higher than those met in cities such as Ciudad de Mexico, Cairo, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, New Delhi and Mumbai, according to the study.
Miercuri, 19 august 2009, 20:53 English | Business
Romania and Bulgaria are the countries with the lowest salaries in Europe, comparable to salaries in Colombia and Thailand, according to a study by Swiss bank UBS. The study shows Bucharest comes 67 among 73 world cities in terms of price levels.
The same study shows the most expensive cities are Oslo, Copenhagen, Zurich and Geneva, while the highest salaries are to be found in Switzerland, Denmark and the US.
Bucharest prices are higher than those met in cities such as Ciudad de Mexico, Cairo, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, New Delhi and Mumbai, according to the study.
Communications Ministry relaunches 10 million euro tender for e-Romania portal, demanding sub-portal for Orthodoxy as "national religion"
de V.O. HotNews.ro
Miercuri, 19 august 2009, 15:06 English | Top News
The Communications Ministry relaunched tender amounting to 10 million euro from the state budget to create an e-Romania Internet portal which would allow the payment of taxes and other public services online, according to an announcement made on Wednesday. But the Ministry now demands that the e-Romania portal include an informative sub-portal about the national religion of Romania, despite that the Constitution and the Cults Law say Romania does not have a state religion.
The contract called eRomania1 involves the conclusion of a framework agreement with a single economic body for a period of 45 months and amounts to an estimated 42 million RON, VAT-excluded. According to the tender documentation, the system would be formed of 14 sub-systems conceived as portals dedicated to issues such as Justice, Agriculture, Environment, Transport, SMEs, Public Servants, Tourism, Culture, Statistics, Education, Citizenship, Associations and Health.
But the documentation says that the e-Cultura module dedicated to Culture include among others an informative portal on the national religion of Romania, named "Orthodoxism Online". This comes despite Romania does not have a state religion. Orthodoxy Online would allow online cash donations to churches and would promote the Orthodox religion.
Miercuri, 19 august 2009, 15:06 English | Top News
The Communications Ministry relaunched tender amounting to 10 million euro from the state budget to create an e-Romania Internet portal which would allow the payment of taxes and other public services online, according to an announcement made on Wednesday. But the Ministry now demands that the e-Romania portal include an informative sub-portal about the national religion of Romania, despite that the Constitution and the Cults Law say Romania does not have a state religion.
The contract called eRomania1 involves the conclusion of a framework agreement with a single economic body for a period of 45 months and amounts to an estimated 42 million RON, VAT-excluded. According to the tender documentation, the system would be formed of 14 sub-systems conceived as portals dedicated to issues such as Justice, Agriculture, Environment, Transport, SMEs, Public Servants, Tourism, Culture, Statistics, Education, Citizenship, Associations and Health.
But the documentation says that the e-Cultura module dedicated to Culture include among others an informative portal on the national religion of Romania, named "Orthodoxism Online". This comes despite Romania does not have a state religion. Orthodoxy Online would allow online cash donations to churches and would promote the Orthodox religion.
Presa din Bulgaria: Hotelurile bulgaresti de la Marea Neagra, scoase la vanzare de "proprietarii disperati"
de R.P. HotNews.ro
Miercuri, 19 august 2009, 12:50 Economie | Imobiliar
Bulgarii nu mai reusesc sa atraga turisti in statiunile de pe litoral. Valul de entuziasm de acum cativa ani s-a dus pe Marea Neagra, iar statiunile din sud sunt acum aproape in totalitate "for sale", scrie presa de la Sofia. Mai exact, 204 hoteluri sunt in prezent scoase la vanzare, potrivit agentiilor imobiliare din Burgas, informeaza agentia Novinite.
85 dintre acestea sunt de vanzare pentru mai mult de 1 milion de euro, la fel ca multe alte hoteluri administrate, insa, oficial, ca mici case familiale de oaspeti. Pretul cerut de majoritatea hotelurilor este de peste 300 de euro pe metru patrat; un tarif care, potrivit agentilor locali, este mult deasupra pretului la care proprietarii vor putea efectiv sa-si vanda afacerile. Agentii explica, insa, ca tarifele sunt atat de mari pentru ca multi dintre proprietari incearca sa-si acopere astfel datoriile uriase.
Cel mai scump hotel care a fost vandut este o mica vila din orasul istoric Nesebar, achizitionat la pretul de 3.333 de euro pe metru patrat, potrivit Novinite.
Paradoxal, Institutul National de Statistica de la Sofia anunta ca, in al doilea trimestru din 2009, numarul hotelurilor din Bulgaria a crescut cu 115 (14,5%) fata de aceeasi perioada a anului trecut. Asta in ciuda efectelor negative pe care criza economica le are asupra industriei turistice: numarul persoanelor care au stat in hoteluri in al doilea trimestru din 2009 a scazut cu 12,7% fata de anul precedent.
REFERINŢE Numarul hotelurilor din Bulgaria a crescut cu 14,5% in 2009, in timp ce numarul turistilor e in scadere
Miercuri, 19 august 2009, 12:50 Economie | Imobiliar
Bulgarii nu mai reusesc sa atraga turisti in statiunile de pe litoral. Valul de entuziasm de acum cativa ani s-a dus pe Marea Neagra, iar statiunile din sud sunt acum aproape in totalitate "for sale", scrie presa de la Sofia. Mai exact, 204 hoteluri sunt in prezent scoase la vanzare, potrivit agentiilor imobiliare din Burgas, informeaza agentia Novinite.
85 dintre acestea sunt de vanzare pentru mai mult de 1 milion de euro, la fel ca multe alte hoteluri administrate, insa, oficial, ca mici case familiale de oaspeti. Pretul cerut de majoritatea hotelurilor este de peste 300 de euro pe metru patrat; un tarif care, potrivit agentilor locali, este mult deasupra pretului la care proprietarii vor putea efectiv sa-si vanda afacerile. Agentii explica, insa, ca tarifele sunt atat de mari pentru ca multi dintre proprietari incearca sa-si acopere astfel datoriile uriase.
Cel mai scump hotel care a fost vandut este o mica vila din orasul istoric Nesebar, achizitionat la pretul de 3.333 de euro pe metru patrat, potrivit Novinite.
Paradoxal, Institutul National de Statistica de la Sofia anunta ca, in al doilea trimestru din 2009, numarul hotelurilor din Bulgaria a crescut cu 115 (14,5%) fata de aceeasi perioada a anului trecut. Asta in ciuda efectelor negative pe care criza economica le are asupra industriei turistice: numarul persoanelor care au stat in hoteluri in al doilea trimestru din 2009 a scazut cu 12,7% fata de anul precedent.
REFERINŢE Numarul hotelurilor din Bulgaria a crescut cu 14,5% in 2009, in timp ce numarul turistilor e in scadere
High Court of Justice decides magistrates must be paid bonus payments
de V.O. HotNews.ro
Miercuri, 19 august 2009, 20:51 English | Top News
Romania's High Court of Justice decided on Wednesday that the Romanian government has to pay bonus payments to magistrates, thus rejecting appeals of the Finance Ministry against previous such decisions. The Ministry had lost the cases in this regard with three other magistracy bodies.
A governmental decision to withdraw a 50% bonus pay for stressful working conditions has sparked outrage among magistrates across the country.
The decision, which as authorities explained was motivated by lack of funds, was followed by protests and a series of court cases between the Finance Ministry and various judicial organizations. The dispute led to a Bucharest Appeals Court decision last Monday to fine Finance ministry Gheorghe Pogea with 20% of the gross minimum salary for each day of delay in paying the 50% bonuses.
Miercuri, 19 august 2009, 20:51 English | Top News
Romania's High Court of Justice decided on Wednesday that the Romanian government has to pay bonus payments to magistrates, thus rejecting appeals of the Finance Ministry against previous such decisions. The Ministry had lost the cases in this regard with three other magistracy bodies.
A governmental decision to withdraw a 50% bonus pay for stressful working conditions has sparked outrage among magistrates across the country.
The decision, which as authorities explained was motivated by lack of funds, was followed by protests and a series of court cases between the Finance Ministry and various judicial organizations. The dispute led to a Bucharest Appeals Court decision last Monday to fine Finance ministry Gheorghe Pogea with 20% of the gross minimum salary for each day of delay in paying the 50% bonuses.
Summer Garden Party
(BBC)-This year’s GQT Summer Garden Party will be held on September 5th at RHS Harlow Carr Gardens near Harrogate in North Yorkshire.
The event starts at 10am and ends at 5pm.
There will be 2 Question and Answer recording sessions that day:
Session 1: 10.:30am
Session 2: 2:00pm
You will be able to attend one of these recordings.
The panelists answering your questions are Pippa Greenwood, Bunny Guinness, Chris Beardshaw, Bob Flowerdew, John Cushnie, and Anne Swithinbank.
Please submit your question on arrival..
In addition to the Q&A sessions, we will be hosting a series of talks, workshops and interactive events.
Plant Swap Shop
Come and exchange a plant or plant cutting for another! Perhaps you've a favourite plant you would like to share with another gardener. Maybe you're searching for a specific plant to add to your collection?
Bring a potted plant or cutting to our Plant Swap Shop.
Cuttings: Please take your cutting as close to the 5th September as possible. Wrap the base of the cutting in damp toilet paper or cotton wool and seal in a plastic bag. Label with plant name.
Plants: Bring your plant in a pot small enough to carry with you. Clearly label the pot with the plant name.
GQT Plant Clinic
Is your plant suffering from a disease? Do you need treatment advice from the GQT panel? Bring your plant sample along for examination!
Please take your cutting as close to the 5th September as possible.
We ask that you bring all plant samples in a SEALED plastic bag, to ensure admittance to the RHS Garden Harlow Carr.
Ticket Information
A Summer Garden Party ticket includes admission to all areas in the RHS Garden Harlow Carr for the whole weekend (5th & 6th September).
Tickets are priced at £10.00 or £15.00 to include a Bettys Picnic Lunch. (RHS Member rates and Carer rates apply please ask when booking).
Please be aware that there are limited catering facilities on site. You may want to bring food and drink with you.
When you purchase your ticket, you will be asked to select the 11am OR 2.30pm recording & have the option to book a picnic lunch.
To purchase your ticket please call the RHS ticket line on:
T: 0845 612 1253
Calls are charged at local rate and lines are open Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 17:30 excluding bank Holidays.
Venue Details
Venue Details:
The Summer Garden Party will take place at: RHS Garden Harlow Carr Crag Lane Harrogate North Yorkshire HG3 1QB
Car Parking:
All ticket holders are asked to park in/will be directed to the additional car parking which is located approx 0.5 miles from Harlow Carr at Cardale Business Park. A shuttle service will be provided to take you to and from the venue and drop you at a separate Gardeners' Question Time entrance located away from the main garden entrance. The shuttle service is not suitable for wheelchairs.
Disabled Visitors Information:
For those with their own wheelchairs very limited disabled parking is available at the main garden entrance. Attendants cannot be provided, but one companion is admitted free of charge per wheelchair user, visually impaired visitor or other person whose disability necessitates a carer. Dogs are not permitted in the garden but registered assistance dogs are welcomed in all areas. If you are attending as a carer and wish to attend the Gardeners' Question Time marquee you must book a ticket. Please ask for a carer ticket when booking. The gardens are accessible but please note that this is a sloping site and in some areas it is quite steep and some path surfaces may be difficult, e.g. pebbles. Please ring the Garden for further information on 01423 565418.
Arrival
Once the shuttle service has dropped you off, you will be asked to submit your question and be given a programme and map of the garden.
Recording Information
Please make sure you arrive at your allotted recording in good time as once it has started, late admittance is not permitted so please be prompt. Pease note lunch can not be eaten whilst in the recording.
1st Recording: Marquee doors open at 10.30am. Please arrive no later than 11:00am
2nd Recording: Marquee doors open at 2pm. Please arrive no later than 2:30pm
Toilets:
Adapted unisex WCs at main entrance and at Bettys Café & Shop; single sex adapted toilets in the gardens. Accessible with assistance. Additional toilet block will be located by the Study Centre Greenhouse.
The event starts at 10am and ends at 5pm.
There will be 2 Question and Answer recording sessions that day:
Session 1: 10.:30am
Session 2: 2:00pm
You will be able to attend one of these recordings.
The panelists answering your questions are Pippa Greenwood, Bunny Guinness, Chris Beardshaw, Bob Flowerdew, John Cushnie, and Anne Swithinbank.
Please submit your question on arrival..
In addition to the Q&A sessions, we will be hosting a series of talks, workshops and interactive events.
Plant Swap Shop
Come and exchange a plant or plant cutting for another! Perhaps you've a favourite plant you would like to share with another gardener. Maybe you're searching for a specific plant to add to your collection?
Bring a potted plant or cutting to our Plant Swap Shop.
Cuttings: Please take your cutting as close to the 5th September as possible. Wrap the base of the cutting in damp toilet paper or cotton wool and seal in a plastic bag. Label with plant name.
Plants: Bring your plant in a pot small enough to carry with you. Clearly label the pot with the plant name.
GQT Plant Clinic
Is your plant suffering from a disease? Do you need treatment advice from the GQT panel? Bring your plant sample along for examination!
Please take your cutting as close to the 5th September as possible.
We ask that you bring all plant samples in a SEALED plastic bag, to ensure admittance to the RHS Garden Harlow Carr.
Ticket Information
A Summer Garden Party ticket includes admission to all areas in the RHS Garden Harlow Carr for the whole weekend (5th & 6th September).
Tickets are priced at £10.00 or £15.00 to include a Bettys Picnic Lunch. (RHS Member rates and Carer rates apply please ask when booking).
Please be aware that there are limited catering facilities on site. You may want to bring food and drink with you.
When you purchase your ticket, you will be asked to select the 11am OR 2.30pm recording & have the option to book a picnic lunch.
To purchase your ticket please call the RHS ticket line on:
T: 0845 612 1253
Calls are charged at local rate and lines are open Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 17:30 excluding bank Holidays.
Venue Details
Venue Details:
The Summer Garden Party will take place at: RHS Garden Harlow Carr Crag Lane Harrogate North Yorkshire HG3 1QB
Car Parking:
All ticket holders are asked to park in/will be directed to the additional car parking which is located approx 0.5 miles from Harlow Carr at Cardale Business Park. A shuttle service will be provided to take you to and from the venue and drop you at a separate Gardeners' Question Time entrance located away from the main garden entrance. The shuttle service is not suitable for wheelchairs.
Disabled Visitors Information:
For those with their own wheelchairs very limited disabled parking is available at the main garden entrance. Attendants cannot be provided, but one companion is admitted free of charge per wheelchair user, visually impaired visitor or other person whose disability necessitates a carer. Dogs are not permitted in the garden but registered assistance dogs are welcomed in all areas. If you are attending as a carer and wish to attend the Gardeners' Question Time marquee you must book a ticket. Please ask for a carer ticket when booking. The gardens are accessible but please note that this is a sloping site and in some areas it is quite steep and some path surfaces may be difficult, e.g. pebbles. Please ring the Garden for further information on 01423 565418.
Arrival
Once the shuttle service has dropped you off, you will be asked to submit your question and be given a programme and map of the garden.
Recording Information
Please make sure you arrive at your allotted recording in good time as once it has started, late admittance is not permitted so please be prompt. Pease note lunch can not be eaten whilst in the recording.
1st Recording: Marquee doors open at 10.30am. Please arrive no later than 11:00am
2nd Recording: Marquee doors open at 2pm. Please arrive no later than 2:30pm
Toilets:
Adapted unisex WCs at main entrance and at Bettys Café & Shop; single sex adapted toilets in the gardens. Accessible with assistance. Additional toilet block will be located by the Study Centre Greenhouse.
Cut Your Spending by $ 500 A Month
Monthly savings up to: $183*
Shop once a week. The more trips you make to the store, the likelier you are to buy on impulse because you see more tempting items. About two-thirds of purchases are unplanned; cut that in half to save $143 a month (if you spend $100 a week on groceries).
Give up the bottle. Stop drinking bottled water and instead buy a filter for your faucet (about $34, plus $25 for replacements). If your family consumes 12 gallons a month, you'll save about $15.
Eat what's ripe. Out-of-season produce costs 20% to 50% more than it does when it's in season. For a list of what's in season when, go to fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org. Estimated savings: $7 a month.
Differentiate between clean and dirty. Organic produce costs $1 to $2 more than the conventional kind. Cut your pesticide intake by going organic on the dirtiest produce (apples, lettuce) and conventional on the cleanest (kiwi, tomatoes). For a list of clean and dirty fruits and veggies, go to foodnews.org. Savings: $18 a month.
By Carolyn Bigda, David Futrelle, Amanda Gengler, Ismat Sarah Mangla, and George Mannes
Shop once a week. The more trips you make to the store, the likelier you are to buy on impulse because you see more tempting items. About two-thirds of purchases are unplanned; cut that in half to save $143 a month (if you spend $100 a week on groceries).
Give up the bottle. Stop drinking bottled water and instead buy a filter for your faucet (about $34, plus $25 for replacements). If your family consumes 12 gallons a month, you'll save about $15.
Eat what's ripe. Out-of-season produce costs 20% to 50% more than it does when it's in season. For a list of what's in season when, go to fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org. Estimated savings: $7 a month.
Differentiate between clean and dirty. Organic produce costs $1 to $2 more than the conventional kind. Cut your pesticide intake by going organic on the dirtiest produce (apples, lettuce) and conventional on the cleanest (kiwi, tomatoes). For a list of clean and dirty fruits and veggies, go to foodnews.org. Savings: $18 a month.
By Carolyn Bigda, David Futrelle, Amanda Gengler, Ismat Sarah Mangla, and George Mannes
What if you do NEED a man?
By Leonora Epstein
(The Frisky) -- "Some women are just happier in a relationship."
As my shrink said this, my jaw dropped to the floor. Did she really just say that? The woman who had feminist literature on her bookshelf and never failed to induce a pep rally of self-empowerment at the end of each session?
We were, of course, discussing (OK fine, I was complaining about) my lack of a boyfriend, and inability to get over some of the ones I did have.
For me, I surmised from my psychotherapy high horse, the issue was about loneliness and, therefore, about some childhood father complex. I thought I sounded smart; it seemed like something my psychiatrist would say herself.
But her response was both jarring and a relief: Some women are just happier in a relationship.
Huh? Isn't the modern woman supposed to be totally amazing on her own? But at the same time, the tension in my heart unclenched as I considered the phrase that potentially answered all of my romantic issues. The Frisky: Why I had breast-reduction surgery
Was I one of those women? And do they really exist? Looking back, I began to think it might be true. When in committed relationships, I was happier. When single, I was depressed. Perhaps this was chance, but I realized that I took better care of my life with a boyfriend by my side. I kept things cleaner to show respect for his presence in my living space. I bathed more often and took care of my acne-prone skin.
I dug up a paper I wrote during my senior year of college when I was living with the man I planned (at the time) to marry. Based on Daniel Miller's "A Theory of Shopping," I had explored the author's hypothesis that purchasing could be motivated by love, and proved it by shamelessly charting a week's worth of my purchases.
At the time, the list was comedic (I had a friendship with my very giving professor). But now looking at my list, I see a zeal and motivation I don't always find in my life now. In buying skim milk, bran cereal, flax bread, I was taking pride in eating healthy. With the new dishes and wine glasses, I added sophistication to our home. I recalled feeling satisfied and grown up when we began enjoying food on matching plates and not drinking Pinot Grigio out of mugs. The Frisky: Mourning the death of my single-girl friendships
When I recently asked my friends about this idea of "being better with a man" or "needing a man," a good handful of them confirmed this belief. (Definitely not all, mind you.)
One said, "I'm more organized, in control, and positive when I'm receiving male attention ... a relationship is enough to keep me motivated and excited." Another friend, Olivia, told me, "In a relationship, I have someone else to answer to. There is another person who is close enough to me to know when I'm being lazy or not living up to my potential, so that pushes me to actually be more active."
For Olivia and me, efforts of self-sufficiency outside of relationships can sometimes fall short, or more often, turn into faking that whole "I'm an awesome single woman" thing.
And I'm sorry, I do know that I'm awesome, but getting there is exhausting. I'm not saying this is everyone, but that perhaps there are women -- and men! -- who need sex with trust, or who rely on spouses for friendship rather than large social networks. And perhaps "needing a man" is an indication of the more basic human instinct -- not for reproduction, but for companionship.
The idea still doesn't sit right with me as someone who has put so much energy into making me happy. But, then again, there's a lot to say for someone who chooses to be happy. Even if it means the choice includes a man.
(The Frisky) -- "Some women are just happier in a relationship."
As my shrink said this, my jaw dropped to the floor. Did she really just say that? The woman who had feminist literature on her bookshelf and never failed to induce a pep rally of self-empowerment at the end of each session?
We were, of course, discussing (OK fine, I was complaining about) my lack of a boyfriend, and inability to get over some of the ones I did have.
For me, I surmised from my psychotherapy high horse, the issue was about loneliness and, therefore, about some childhood father complex. I thought I sounded smart; it seemed like something my psychiatrist would say herself.
But her response was both jarring and a relief: Some women are just happier in a relationship.
Huh? Isn't the modern woman supposed to be totally amazing on her own? But at the same time, the tension in my heart unclenched as I considered the phrase that potentially answered all of my romantic issues. The Frisky: Why I had breast-reduction surgery
Was I one of those women? And do they really exist? Looking back, I began to think it might be true. When in committed relationships, I was happier. When single, I was depressed. Perhaps this was chance, but I realized that I took better care of my life with a boyfriend by my side. I kept things cleaner to show respect for his presence in my living space. I bathed more often and took care of my acne-prone skin.
I dug up a paper I wrote during my senior year of college when I was living with the man I planned (at the time) to marry. Based on Daniel Miller's "A Theory of Shopping," I had explored the author's hypothesis that purchasing could be motivated by love, and proved it by shamelessly charting a week's worth of my purchases.
At the time, the list was comedic (I had a friendship with my very giving professor). But now looking at my list, I see a zeal and motivation I don't always find in my life now. In buying skim milk, bran cereal, flax bread, I was taking pride in eating healthy. With the new dishes and wine glasses, I added sophistication to our home. I recalled feeling satisfied and grown up when we began enjoying food on matching plates and not drinking Pinot Grigio out of mugs. The Frisky: Mourning the death of my single-girl friendships
When I recently asked my friends about this idea of "being better with a man" or "needing a man," a good handful of them confirmed this belief. (Definitely not all, mind you.)
One said, "I'm more organized, in control, and positive when I'm receiving male attention ... a relationship is enough to keep me motivated and excited." Another friend, Olivia, told me, "In a relationship, I have someone else to answer to. There is another person who is close enough to me to know when I'm being lazy or not living up to my potential, so that pushes me to actually be more active."
For Olivia and me, efforts of self-sufficiency outside of relationships can sometimes fall short, or more often, turn into faking that whole "I'm an awesome single woman" thing.
And I'm sorry, I do know that I'm awesome, but getting there is exhausting. I'm not saying this is everyone, but that perhaps there are women -- and men! -- who need sex with trust, or who rely on spouses for friendship rather than large social networks. And perhaps "needing a man" is an indication of the more basic human instinct -- not for reproduction, but for companionship.
The idea still doesn't sit right with me as someone who has put so much energy into making me happy. But, then again, there's a lot to say for someone who chooses to be happy. Even if it means the choice includes a man.
10 ways to be a better thinker
(CNN - by.Jonah Lehrer). I call it the "leather couch problem," but it happens to me every time I have to purchase something expensive. I'll be standing in the furniture store, contemplating my sofa options -- do I want the chestnut cotton or the black suede sectional? -- when I'm suddenly seized with anxiety.
What if I choose the wrong one? Beads of nervous sweat gather on my forehead; Ikea is not a fun place to have a mild panic attack.
Although I take my consumer choices seriously, I have always had a knack for making the wrong ones. I was the guy with the outmoded TV and the ill-fitting jeans; I ordered badly at restaurants.
This recurring problem is what first led me to investigate the talents and the limitations of the human brain. Could I teach myself to make better choices? And what about the other things the brain is responsible for -- creativity, willpower, deduction? Could I make my brain do more than it was already doing?
Turns out, I could. Here are some principles of better thinking that you can apply to get more from your mind, every day.
1. Tap your emotions.
Our conscious thoughts are only a fraction of what's going on in our brains. At any given moment, the unconscious is taking in vast amounts of information that we're not even aware of and processing it all very quickly. Based on its conclusions, the brain generates emotions.
So don't disregard that subtle feeling telling you to avoid the salmon special. Your personal supercomputer is trying to tell you something.
2. Don't think under pressure.
It was one of the worst moments of my life: I was 12, playing peewee basketball, and my team was trailing by a point. If I sank two free throws, we would win. I missed. Twice.
Instead of relying on the part of my unconscious that's like a trained autopilot (it had learned how to shoot baskets through years of backyard practice), I analyzed the details of my shots, using brain areas that had no idea how to get a ball through a hoop.
Once we've taken the time to develop any skill (and it always takes time), we should trust our instincts.
3. Consider alternative points of view.
Professional poker players often use a simple trick when they suspect another player of bluffing: They think about how the player would act if he or she weren't bluffing. The brain naturally filters the world to confirm what it already believes. But this habit is limiting and dangerous; you could be fixating on the wrong answers.
4. Challenge your preferences.
Like presumptive beliefs (see no. 3), your supposed likes and dislikes can limit your mind. I used to be a bit of an expensive-wine snob. But then I did a blind taste test of wines from different price ranges and discovered what scientists have since confirmed: There is no correlation between the price of a bottle and how much you'll enjoy it.
By figuring out what you truly like -- be it cheap wine or fancy shoes -- you can enjoy life, not to mention spend more wisely.
5. Take long showers.
Studies show that moments of insight often arrive when you're not aware that you're thinking of the problem, such as during a warm shower or a long stroll. This is because insights are typically generated by a rush of high-frequency gamma-band neural activity in the brain's right hemisphere, and a mind is better able to tune in to that hemisphere when it is stress-free.
6. Be skeptical of your memories.
In recent years, scientists have demonstrated that human memories are surprisingly dishonest. The act of recalling an event (say, your eighth birthday party) changes the structure of that memory in the brain. Details are tweaked; the narrative is altered.
The more you think about it, the less accurate your recollection becomes, and the less reliable it is as a basis for making any kind of conclusion. (So maybe you shouldn't hire a clown for your kid's party after all.)
7. Don't expect to diet and finish the crossword.
It turns out that the prefrontal cortex, the area of the brain responsible for willpower and cognitive thought, is a rather feeble bit of flesh and easily depleted.
In a telling study, people who were asked to remember a seven-digit number and then offered a snack were much more likely to choose chocolate cake over fruit salad than were those who were asked to remember a one-digit number. The first group's self-control "muscles" were exhausted!
It's important to realize that you can do everything -- just not all at once.
8. Study your mistakes.
One common trait of successful people is their willingness to focus on their fumbles. Even when they do well, they insist on looking at what they could have done better.
Such perfectionism might not be a recipe for happiness, but it's a vital component of learning, since brain cells figure out how to get things right by analyzing what they got wrong.
9. Go ahead and daydream.
Forget efficiency. Scientists have discovered that daydreaming is an important tool for creativity: It causes a rush of activity in a circuit known as the default network, which connects different parts of the brain and allows the mind to make new associations. The daydreaming brain is actually in overdrive.
10. Think about thinking.
Metacognition, as this is known, is a crucial skill. Many scientists argue that the best predictor of good judgment isn't intelligence or experience; it's the willingness to engage in introspection.
The brain is like a Swiss Army Knife, full of different tools. When picking out a couch, we can trust our emotions, but we should rely on the rational brain when scrutinizing the fine print of a mortgage. Unless you think about which mental tool is best suited for the task at hand, you could end up flustered, even sweating, in the sofa aisle at Ikea.
What if I choose the wrong one? Beads of nervous sweat gather on my forehead; Ikea is not a fun place to have a mild panic attack.
Although I take my consumer choices seriously, I have always had a knack for making the wrong ones. I was the guy with the outmoded TV and the ill-fitting jeans; I ordered badly at restaurants.
This recurring problem is what first led me to investigate the talents and the limitations of the human brain. Could I teach myself to make better choices? And what about the other things the brain is responsible for -- creativity, willpower, deduction? Could I make my brain do more than it was already doing?
Turns out, I could. Here are some principles of better thinking that you can apply to get more from your mind, every day.
1. Tap your emotions.
Our conscious thoughts are only a fraction of what's going on in our brains. At any given moment, the unconscious is taking in vast amounts of information that we're not even aware of and processing it all very quickly. Based on its conclusions, the brain generates emotions.
So don't disregard that subtle feeling telling you to avoid the salmon special. Your personal supercomputer is trying to tell you something.
2. Don't think under pressure.
It was one of the worst moments of my life: I was 12, playing peewee basketball, and my team was trailing by a point. If I sank two free throws, we would win. I missed. Twice.
Instead of relying on the part of my unconscious that's like a trained autopilot (it had learned how to shoot baskets through years of backyard practice), I analyzed the details of my shots, using brain areas that had no idea how to get a ball through a hoop.
Once we've taken the time to develop any skill (and it always takes time), we should trust our instincts.
3. Consider alternative points of view.
Professional poker players often use a simple trick when they suspect another player of bluffing: They think about how the player would act if he or she weren't bluffing. The brain naturally filters the world to confirm what it already believes. But this habit is limiting and dangerous; you could be fixating on the wrong answers.
4. Challenge your preferences.
Like presumptive beliefs (see no. 3), your supposed likes and dislikes can limit your mind. I used to be a bit of an expensive-wine snob. But then I did a blind taste test of wines from different price ranges and discovered what scientists have since confirmed: There is no correlation between the price of a bottle and how much you'll enjoy it.
By figuring out what you truly like -- be it cheap wine or fancy shoes -- you can enjoy life, not to mention spend more wisely.
5. Take long showers.
Studies show that moments of insight often arrive when you're not aware that you're thinking of the problem, such as during a warm shower or a long stroll. This is because insights are typically generated by a rush of high-frequency gamma-band neural activity in the brain's right hemisphere, and a mind is better able to tune in to that hemisphere when it is stress-free.
6. Be skeptical of your memories.
In recent years, scientists have demonstrated that human memories are surprisingly dishonest. The act of recalling an event (say, your eighth birthday party) changes the structure of that memory in the brain. Details are tweaked; the narrative is altered.
The more you think about it, the less accurate your recollection becomes, and the less reliable it is as a basis for making any kind of conclusion. (So maybe you shouldn't hire a clown for your kid's party after all.)
7. Don't expect to diet and finish the crossword.
It turns out that the prefrontal cortex, the area of the brain responsible for willpower and cognitive thought, is a rather feeble bit of flesh and easily depleted.
In a telling study, people who were asked to remember a seven-digit number and then offered a snack were much more likely to choose chocolate cake over fruit salad than were those who were asked to remember a one-digit number. The first group's self-control "muscles" were exhausted!
It's important to realize that you can do everything -- just not all at once.
8. Study your mistakes.
One common trait of successful people is their willingness to focus on their fumbles. Even when they do well, they insist on looking at what they could have done better.
Such perfectionism might not be a recipe for happiness, but it's a vital component of learning, since brain cells figure out how to get things right by analyzing what they got wrong.
9. Go ahead and daydream.
Forget efficiency. Scientists have discovered that daydreaming is an important tool for creativity: It causes a rush of activity in a circuit known as the default network, which connects different parts of the brain and allows the mind to make new associations. The daydreaming brain is actually in overdrive.
10. Think about thinking.
Metacognition, as this is known, is a crucial skill. Many scientists argue that the best predictor of good judgment isn't intelligence or experience; it's the willingness to engage in introspection.
The brain is like a Swiss Army Knife, full of different tools. When picking out a couch, we can trust our emotions, but we should rely on the rational brain when scrutinizing the fine print of a mortgage. Unless you think about which mental tool is best suited for the task at hand, you could end up flustered, even sweating, in the sofa aisle at Ikea.
Disney performer dies after suffering head injury
(CNN) -- A Disney stunt performer died Monday night after suffering an injury during a rehearsal, company and local officials said.
Walt Disney World spokeswoman Zoraya Suarez said the performer was injured while performing a tumbling roll for the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular at Disney's Hollywood Studios, part of the Orlando, Florida, theme park.
It was the third fatal incident at the park in less than two months. Earlier this month, a performer was injured in a pirate show and later died. In July, two monorail trains collided, killing a driver.
"'We feel a sense of loss for these valued cast members," Suarez said. She said a review would be conducted on each incident. Performers receive extensive training, she said.
The Orange County Sheriff's Department identified the performer in the latest incident as Anislav Varbanov, 30, and said he had been pronounced dead at a hospital.
Security personnel at Hollywood Studios called 911 Monday evening to say a cast member had suffered a head injury during the rehearsal, the sheriff's department said. No other details were given.
The sheriff's department said the incident is under investigation.
Walt Disney World spokeswoman Zoraya Suarez said the performer was injured while performing a tumbling roll for the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular at Disney's Hollywood Studios, part of the Orlando, Florida, theme park.
It was the third fatal incident at the park in less than two months. Earlier this month, a performer was injured in a pirate show and later died. In July, two monorail trains collided, killing a driver.
"'We feel a sense of loss for these valued cast members," Suarez said. She said a review would be conducted on each incident. Performers receive extensive training, she said.
The Orange County Sheriff's Department identified the performer in the latest incident as Anislav Varbanov, 30, and said he had been pronounced dead at a hospital.
Security personnel at Hollywood Studios called 911 Monday evening to say a cast member had suffered a head injury during the rehearsal, the sheriff's department said. No other details were given.
The sheriff's department said the incident is under investigation.
Dance shows find their groove with viewers
(CNN) -- When Christjohn Batters looks around the dance studio where he works in Atlanta, Georgia, he notices something different these days.
"I've been at this studio for eight years, and I would definitely say that there has been a steady increase and an influx of people wanting to learn how to dance," said Batters, an instructor and assistant manager at the Ballroom Dance Clubs of Atlanta.
"People see dance on TV, and they see people learning to dance ... and they think, 'OK, this is something I could learn to do.' "
Shows like ABC's "Dancing with the Stars," Fox's "So You Think You Can Dance," MTV's "America's Best Dance Crew" and Oxygen's "Dance Your Ass Off" are drawing millions of viewers and helping expose audiences to the art of dance.
Be it hip-hop, salsa, tango or ballet, viewers are learning that dancing is no longer just for the enjoyment of the Lawrence Welk set.
Batters said a lot more younger couples -- and men -- are venturing to his studio to kick up their heels.
He also said he's tickled that professional ballroom dancers such as "Stars' " Julianne Hough, Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Karina Smirnoff are staring out from magazine covers usually dominated by celebrities.
"Professional ballroom dancers, we were always like an underground club for a long time," Batters said. "Now, all of a sudden, ballroom dancers are household names."
"DWTS" has proven to be the most popular of TV's dance shows. Its two weekly episodes finished third and fourth in the year-end ratings, after "American Idol's" two weekly episodes. The show links celebrities with professional ballroom dancers who put them through their paces in a weekly competition.
On "SYTYCD," a summer hit, amateur and professional dancers perform in pairs and compete for the title.
"America's Best Dance Crew," which premiered its new season on Sunday, pits dance crews from across the world against each other, performing in various styles.
The newest entrant to the competitive dance field on television, "Dance Your Ass Off," has been viewed as a combination of "DWTS" and "The Biggest Loser" in that contestants compete to lose weight and win points for their moves.
Tonya Plank covers dance on her blog, Swan Lake Samba Girl, and said many readers venture there in their search for more information on "So You Think You Can Dance" contestants and others.
Plank, a former ballroom dancer who has taken instruction from "So You Think You Can Dance" season three finalist Pasha Kovalev, said visitors to her site flock to posts and videos about the ballet companies and ballroom competitions, even if they don't live in the area.
More people are also coming out to watch dance, she said.
"The dance competitions are so much more popular these days," Plank said. "There are so many more people there, and the ballrooms are so crowded now."
Robert Abrams, publisher and editor of ExploreDance.com, said that gauging interest in dancing can be tricky, but he agreed that the shows are helping feed the public's fascination, as is the poor economy.
Dancing makes people feel good, even in bad times, said Abrams, who has trained in competitive ballroom dance and West Coast swing dancing and served on a board of directors for the Dance Critics Association
"While I certainly think that there has been a greater amount of interest that has been generated by these different dance-related TV shows, you also have to take some of the other types of circumstances that we are experiencing in to account," he said.
Abrams also points out that now is not the first time the public has become enthralled with dance and that such a resurgence often happens in waves throughout the years.
"Look at the reaction to the Gap commercials featuring dance in the late 1990s, and eventual fall-off, for some historical perspective," Graham said.
Wendy Goldberg, a freelance photographer and reviewer of modern dance and ballet performances in the New York area, said she has noted a growing interest in dance, particularly among women in their 20s.
Manhattan has a thriving dance culture, with each genre having a devoted following, Goldberg said. Dancing helps people connect, she believes.
"You have to communicate with your partner," Goldberg said. "When you are at a party, you don't know what your partner might do, so you have to be in the moment and really focused on that partner."
Instructor Batters said he has seen an increase in people wanting to pursue competitive dance since the shows have gained popularity.
Even with all of their distinct differences in styles and setup, Batters said, he thinks all of the shows share a common message: "You don't have to be born a dancer to learn how to dance."
"I've been at this studio for eight years, and I would definitely say that there has been a steady increase and an influx of people wanting to learn how to dance," said Batters, an instructor and assistant manager at the Ballroom Dance Clubs of Atlanta.
"People see dance on TV, and they see people learning to dance ... and they think, 'OK, this is something I could learn to do.' "
Shows like ABC's "Dancing with the Stars," Fox's "So You Think You Can Dance," MTV's "America's Best Dance Crew" and Oxygen's "Dance Your Ass Off" are drawing millions of viewers and helping expose audiences to the art of dance.
Be it hip-hop, salsa, tango or ballet, viewers are learning that dancing is no longer just for the enjoyment of the Lawrence Welk set.
Batters said a lot more younger couples -- and men -- are venturing to his studio to kick up their heels.
He also said he's tickled that professional ballroom dancers such as "Stars' " Julianne Hough, Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Karina Smirnoff are staring out from magazine covers usually dominated by celebrities.
"Professional ballroom dancers, we were always like an underground club for a long time," Batters said. "Now, all of a sudden, ballroom dancers are household names."
"DWTS" has proven to be the most popular of TV's dance shows. Its two weekly episodes finished third and fourth in the year-end ratings, after "American Idol's" two weekly episodes. The show links celebrities with professional ballroom dancers who put them through their paces in a weekly competition.
On "SYTYCD," a summer hit, amateur and professional dancers perform in pairs and compete for the title.
"America's Best Dance Crew," which premiered its new season on Sunday, pits dance crews from across the world against each other, performing in various styles.
The newest entrant to the competitive dance field on television, "Dance Your Ass Off," has been viewed as a combination of "DWTS" and "The Biggest Loser" in that contestants compete to lose weight and win points for their moves.
Tonya Plank covers dance on her blog, Swan Lake Samba Girl, and said many readers venture there in their search for more information on "So You Think You Can Dance" contestants and others.
Plank, a former ballroom dancer who has taken instruction from "So You Think You Can Dance" season three finalist Pasha Kovalev, said visitors to her site flock to posts and videos about the ballet companies and ballroom competitions, even if they don't live in the area.
More people are also coming out to watch dance, she said.
"The dance competitions are so much more popular these days," Plank said. "There are so many more people there, and the ballrooms are so crowded now."
Robert Abrams, publisher and editor of ExploreDance.com, said that gauging interest in dancing can be tricky, but he agreed that the shows are helping feed the public's fascination, as is the poor economy.
Dancing makes people feel good, even in bad times, said Abrams, who has trained in competitive ballroom dance and West Coast swing dancing and served on a board of directors for the Dance Critics Association
"While I certainly think that there has been a greater amount of interest that has been generated by these different dance-related TV shows, you also have to take some of the other types of circumstances that we are experiencing in to account," he said.
Abrams also points out that now is not the first time the public has become enthralled with dance and that such a resurgence often happens in waves throughout the years.
"Look at the reaction to the Gap commercials featuring dance in the late 1990s, and eventual fall-off, for some historical perspective," Graham said.
Wendy Goldberg, a freelance photographer and reviewer of modern dance and ballet performances in the New York area, said she has noted a growing interest in dance, particularly among women in their 20s.
Manhattan has a thriving dance culture, with each genre having a devoted following, Goldberg said. Dancing helps people connect, she believes.
"You have to communicate with your partner," Goldberg said. "When you are at a party, you don't know what your partner might do, so you have to be in the moment and really focused on that partner."
Instructor Batters said he has seen an increase in people wanting to pursue competitive dance since the shows have gained popularity.
Even with all of their distinct differences in styles and setup, Batters said, he thinks all of the shows share a common message: "You don't have to be born a dancer to learn how to dance."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)