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FESTIVALS & STUFF

CinemaTrek recommended events

PANAMA JAZZ FESTIVAL (January 16 - 31, Panama City, Panama) From the heart of the Americas to the rest of the world, the festival celebrates its 9th edition with concerts, jam sessions and events for the entire family. Additionally, during the week of the festival some of the best music schools of the Americas audition students for admission and scholarships and the participating artists give master classes.

SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL (January 19 - 29, Park City, UT) Each year 200 films are selected for exhibition from more than 9,000 submissions. More than 50,000 people attend screenings in Park City, Salt Lake City, Ogden, and Sundance, Utah. In addition to discovering filmmaking's newest talent through the Festival's program of documentary, dramatic, and short films, Festivalgoers experience live music performances, panel discussions with leading filmmakers and industry figures, cutting-edge media installations, parties celebrating the festival community, and more.

JAMAICA JAZZ AND BLUES FESTIVAL (January 26 - 28, Montego Bay Jamaica) Earl Klugh, Nicole Henry, Celine Dion, The Temptations, Cee Lo Green, Jully Black, Destra Garcia, Heads of State, Shaggy, Chris Martin and Freddie McGregor are just a few of the artists at this years event now staged at the Greenfield Stadium in Trelawny.

FESTIVAL INTERNATIONAL DE BALLONS (January 21 - 29, Chateau-d'Oex, Suisse) For 9 days, spectators can admire more than 80 hot air balloons from various countries around the world along with breath-taking air shows and specially designed hot air balloons. The opening ceremonies will take place at the official take-off site at 11:30 am on Saturday.

LA FETE DES NEIGRES DE MONTREAL (January 21 - February 5, Montreal, QE) Whether it's walking along the Parc's trails or strolling through the very festive Allee Carnavalesque, tube-sliding, playing boot or ice hockey, kicksledding on snow or skating alongside the river, La fete des Neiges promises a wealth of memorable moments. The friendly Boule de Neige will be welcoming visitors, joined by his friends who will be entertaining in the various activity areas.

PAN AFRICAN FILM FESTIVAL (February 9 - 20, Los Angeles CA) Presenting and showcasing a broad spectrum of Black creative works of over one hundred quality films from the United States, Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe, the South Pacific and Canada, all showcasing the diversity and complexity of people of African descent. One of America’s largest fine art shows featuring prominent and emerging black artists and fine crafts people, including local, national and international poets, musicians and storytellers. help keep the fest alive.

CHICAGO AUTO SHOW (February 10 - 19, Chicago, IL) First staged in 1901, the Chicago Auto Show is the largest auto show in North America and has been held more times than any other auto exposition on the continent. This year marks the 104th edition of the Chicago Auto Show. Exhibitions include: multiple world and North American introductions; a complete range of domestic and imported passenger cars and trucks; sport utility vehicles; and experimental or concept cars. In total, nearly 1,000 different vehicles will be on display. Additionally, attendees will also have the opportunity to see numerous accessories and auto-related exhibits, competition vehicles and project, antique and collector cars.

COMING UP QUICK, FAST AND IN A HURRY!

CHERRY CAPITAL WINTER WOW FEST (February 17 - 19, Traverse City, MI) Traverse City comes alive with snow sculptures, races, ice carvings, dog pull competition, ski races, soup cook-off's, food and lots and lots of cherry pies and delicacies.

CARNIVAL (February 17 - 21, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) The Rio Carnaval is not only the biggest Carnival, it has also a benchmark against which every other carnival is compared and one of the most interesting artistic events on the Globe. Carnival with all its excesses, celebrated as a profane event, can be considered an act of farewell to the pleasures of the flesh. be sure to get to the Magic Ball at the Copacabana Palace Hotel and the various Samba parades.

MARDI GRAS (February 17 - 21, New Orleans, Louisiana) Mardi Gras is music, parades, picnics, floats, excitement ... and one big holiday in New Orleans! Everyone is wearing purple, green, and gold; and adorned with long beads caught from the beautiful floats. They sit on the ground throwing balls, playing music, having a picnic, and watching the crowds walk by between parades. All of the businesses and roads are practically shut down -- people are walking everywhere and meeting new friends. People are dressed in crazy costumes, kids are everywhere, and they love it!

RIVERWALK BLUES AND MUSIC FESTIVAL (February 18 - 19, Ft Lauderdale, FL) Cute little music fest in Bubier Bark, perfect for snowbirds running away from the storms of the north. Past performances by Buddy Guy and others help keep the fest alive.

SOUTH BEACH WINE & FOOD FEST (February 23 - 26, Miami Beach, FL) Join the beautiful people on South Beach for this fest presented by Food & Wine. A national, star-studded, four-day destination event showcasing the talents of the world's most renowned wine and spirits producers, chefs and culinary personalities. Hosted by Southern Wine & Spirits of Florida and Florida International University (FIU), the festival benefits FIU's School of Hospitality and Tourism Management Teaching Restaurant and the Southern Wine & Spirits Beverage Management Center.

FUR RONDY / IDITAROD (February 24 - March 4/March 3 - 20, Anchorage, Alaska) Fur Rendezvous began as a 3-day Festival to coincide with the time that the miners and trappers came to town with their winter's yield is now a 10 day festival with races, shows, fur auctions, contests and other festivities that merge with the self described "last great race". The Iditarod is unlike any other event in the world. A race over 1,150 miles of the most extreme and beautiful terrain known to man: across mountain ranges, frozen rivers, dense forests, desolate tundra and windswept coastline at the mushers and their dog teams. From Anchorage, in south central Alaska, to Nome on the western Bering Sea coast, each team of 12 to 16 dogs and their musher cover over 1150 miles in 10 to 17 days.

HOUSTON RODEO AND LIVESTOCK SHOW (February 28 - March 18 Houston TX) This very tradition, always huge rodeo begins with trail rides from different point in Texas to Houston. There, over 1.2 million folk will cheer on bronco busters, calf roping, barrel racing, and everything that makes a rodeo fun. Now in it's 80th year the show is the largest even in Houston.

SOUTH BY SOUTHWEST (March 9 - 18, Austin TX) Since the original festival in 1987, SxSW has grown to include music, film and interactive interests with over 32,000 registrants descending on the Texas capital. SXSW's original goal was to create an event that would act as a tool for creative people and the companies they work with to develop their careers, to bring together people from a wide area to meet and share ideas. That continues to be the goal today whether it is music, film or the internet. And Austin continues to be the perfect location.

NORTH CAROLINA BLACK FILM FESTIVAL (March 22 - 25, Wilmington NC) This nifty fest is in its 11th year and is a four day juried and invitational festival of independent motion pictures by African-American filmmakers which showcase features, shorts, animation, and documentary films. Hosted by the the Black Arts Alliance, which serves as an advocate for arts and artists, nurtures emerging and veteran artistic talent, and develops new works in the performing, visual, and literary arts.

SAVANNAH MUSIC FESTIVAL (March 22 - April 7, Savannah, GA) A city-wide musical arts event showcasing renowned performers in jazz, classical, Americana and world music against the backdrop of one of America's most enchanting historic districts. Hit the dance floor with Cajun, Salsa and Zydeco dance parties, and an unmatched variety of American acoustic music, blues and jazz.

PHOENIX FILM FESTIVAL (March 29 - April 5, Phoenix AZ) This nifty doodad screens over 150 films, holds amazing parties and provides filmmaking seminars to capacity audiences. Over 22,000 attendees enjoy the 8 day festival which takes place all in one convenient location; held on 7 screens at the Harkins Scottsdale/101. All parties and workshops are held right on site so you don't miss a thing.

NCAA MEN'S BASKETBALL FINAL FOUR (March 31 - April 2 New Orleans, LA) March Madness culminates in the Big Easy this year after featuring 68 college basketball teams, to determine the national championship in the top tier of college basketball. These are the champions of the tournament's four regional brackets, and are the only teams remaining on the tournament's final weekend. Tickets are only available through brokerage services.

NEW ORLEANS JAZZ AND HERITAGE FESTIVAL (April 27 - May 6, New Orleans, LA) With 12 stages of soul-stirring music including jazz, gospel, Cajun, zydeco, blues, R&B, rock, funk, African, Latin, Caribbean, folk, and much more! The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is a singular celebration. This year look for: Herbie Hancock, Al Green, The Neville Brothers, Foo Fighters, Ne-Yo, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, The Eagles, Maze, The Beach Boys, Bonnie Raitt, Allen Toussaint, Iron and Wine, Pte Fountain, Yolanda Adams, Little Anthony and the Imperials, Dr. John, Bunny Wailer, Ani DiFranco, Mavis Staples, Jill Scott and tons o other artists.

LONDON SUMMER OLYMPICS (July 27 - August 12 London England) The London 2012 Olympic Games will feature 26 sports, which break down into 39 disciplines. The Games trace their origins as far back as the Ancient Games in Greece. Evolving over the centuries, an estimated one billion people will watch the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Games. Some 250 acres of new parklands has been created from former industrial land by the Olympic Delivery Authority.

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