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CinemaTrek recommended events

MEMPHIS IN MAY (May 4 - 26, Memphis, TN) Memphis in May hosts the city's largest events like the Beale Street Music Festival (May 4 - 6), the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest (May 17 - 19) and the Sunset Symphony. Plus each year the city salutes another country - this year The Philippines - with galas, lectures, performances, etc.

CHESAPEAKE BAY BLUES FESTIVAL (May 19 - 20, Annapolis, MD) Nifty little festival in charming Annapolis with The Chesapeake Bay Blues Band, Tom Principato, Patty Reese, Gaye Adegbalola and Ron Hollway, Honey Island Swamp Band, Janiva Magness, Delta Guitar Slingers w/ Michael Burks, Albert Cummings Lydia Pense and Cold Blood, Michael Williams Band, Philipp Fankhauser, Shemekia Copeland, JJ Grey and Mofro, Jonny Lang, Bernard Allison & Lurrie Bell, and Ruthie Foster. Plenty of Crab cakes on hand!

NEW ORLEANS FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL (May 22-26 New Orleans, LA) What began as a small, intimate, one-day gathering of wineries and chefs 20 years ago has grown into a grand celebration of wine and food attracting more than 10,000 people each year over a 5-day weekend. Look for an international cake competition and tasting on Friday, May 25th from 8:30 - 11:00 pm. Invited pastry chefs Vanessa Fiorini of Toronto, Canada; Solandie Exantus of the Royal Sonesta Hotel New Orleans; Bronwen Weber of Frosted Art Bakery &

Studio in Dallas; and Vinnie and Michelle Garcia of The Bleeding Heart Bakery in Chicago to join in the festivities. Wine Dinners hosted by more than 30 New Orleans area restaurants; Vinola, NOWFE's premium tasting event; the Royal Street Stroll sponsored by Rouses, NOWFE's signature event, a definitive evening event set in the heart of the French Quarter; and exciting Culinary Seminars.

INDY 500 (May 27 Indianapolis, IN) The Greatest Spectacle in Racing, is considered one of the three most significant motorsports events in the world; it is the world's largest single-day spectator sporting event. Covering 500 miles, 200 laps on the famous 2.5-mile oval, it currently is the marquee race on the schedule for the IZOD IndyCar Series, the premier open-wheel racing series in North America. Like most events, the Indy 500 has stretched into a week-long celebration including time trials and concerts.

EUREKA SPRINGS BLUES FESTIVAL (May 31 - June 3 Eureka Springs, AR) Shows will be held in The Auditorium, The 1905 Basin Park Hotel's Barefoot Ballroom, Basin Spring Park, Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge and select venues around Eureka Springs. Local, regional, national, and international blues acts in a fundraiser for the Blues Foundation's HART Fund-100% goes to help artists in need of medical or funeral assistance, and also Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge.

STRAWBERRY HILL RACES AT COLONIAL DOWNS (June 2 New Kent VA) The State Fair of Virginia ceased operations in March, but the 80th running of the Strawberry Hill Races will go on as planned at nearbt Colonial Downs Racetrack. All aspects of the event will remain intact including tailgate, hours of operation, and the number of parimutuel steeplechase and thoroughbred horse races run.

CHICAGO BLUES FESTIVAL (June 8-10 Chicago, IL) The largest free blues festival in the world and remains the largest of Chicago's Music Festivals. During three days on five stages, more than 500,000 blues fans prove that Chicago is the "Blues Capital of the World." Past performers include Bonnie Raitt, Ray Charles, B.B. King, the late Bo Diddley, Buddy Guy and the late Koko Taylor.

RAVINIA FESTIVAL (June 7 - September 7, Highland Park IL) The oldest outdoor music festival in North America and lauded for presenting world-class music. The festival attracts about 600,000 listeners to some 120 to 150 events that span all genres from classical music to jazz to music theater over each three-month summer season. It is also the summer residence of the world renown Chicago Symphony Orchestra, which remains the centerpiece of the music festival today. This year look for Earth Wind and Fire, Al Green, Jimmy Cliff, Glen Campbell and Ronnie Milsap Goodbye tour, Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers, Nnenna Freelon, Go Brazil, Sarah McLachlan, Midori, Jake Shimabukuro, Indina Menzel, Santana, Natalie Merchant, Bodeans, seal, James Taylor, CS&N, Joe Cocker, Huey Lewis and the News, Train, Tony Bennett, and more

RIVERBEND MUSIC FESTIVAL (June 8 - 16, Chattanooga, TN) Award winning 9 day music festival takes place on the 21st Century Waterfront along the Tennessee River. Boasting five stages with over 100 bands featuring world class entertainment ranging from classic rock, jam bands, country, urban and bluegrass! Riverbend draws over 650,000 patrons annually.

ST LOUIS BREWERS HERITAGE FESTIVAL (June 15 - 17 St Louis, MO) After a bit of mystery and several years of continued growth, this celkebration of St Louis' rich beer history is relocating from Forest Par to Ballpark Village across from Busch Stadium. Four 4-hour beer drinking sessions featuring the beers from Anheuser Busch (natch), Schlafly (ST lOuis' second largest brewery), O'Fallon Brewery, Morgan Street Brewery, Suqre One Brewery, Augusta Brewery, Kirkwood Station Brewery, Buffalo Brewery, Trailhead Brewery, Cathedral Brewery, six Row Brewery, 2nd Shift Brewery, Urban Chestnut Brewery, Perenial Artisan Ales, The Civil Life Brewery, and others. Staged like a miniature Oktoberfest with plenty pf food available and now convenient to downtown hotels.

PLAYBOY JAZZ FESTIVAL (June 16-17 Los Angeles, CA)This landmark event continues its rich tradition of featuring the biggest names in jazz, along with future jazz headliners delivering an exciting mix of everything from standards and blues to Latin beats and world fusion. Saturday, June 16: Christian McBride Big Band, Boney James, Ozomatli, Sheila E., Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings, The Soul Rebels, Global Gumbo All Stars, Cos of Good Music, The LAUSD/Beyond the Bell All City Jazz Band, Master of Ceremonies: Bill Cosby Sunday, June 17: Ramsey Lewis Electric Band, Robin Thicke, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Keb' Mo', Terri Lyne Carrington's Mosaic Project, The Cookers, Spectrum Road, Chico Trujillo, KG Omulo, Calabasas High School Jazz Band.

CHICAGO GOSPEL FESTIVAL (June 21-24 Chicago, IL) Chicago's oldest music festival will return as a stand-alone, three-day festival. Unlike 2011, when it was folded into the Taste of Chicago, it will be based in the neighborhoods that made the music famous.

TORONTO JAZZ FESTIVAL (June 22-July 1) known as one of North America's premier jazz festivals produced annually by Toronto Downtown Jazz. What began in 1987 as an eight day showcase of jazz now attracts in excess of 500,000 loyal patrons annually over 10 days. Attractions include more than 350 performances with over 1,500 musicians performing at approximately 40 locations around Toronto. The heart of the Festival is now located at Metro Square in the heart of Toronto's Entertainment District with an impressive 1,200 seat fully-licensed Mainstage Marquee and outdoor stage, and where many extraordinary events are offered free to the public.

COMING UP QUICK, FAST AND IN A HURRY!

SUMMERFEST (June 22-July 1 and July 3-8 Milwaukee, WI) Henry Maier Festival Park comes alive with music from today's hottest stars, regional favorites and emerging talent. The 23,000 capacity Marcus Amphitheater and 10 additional stages host over 700 bands, while fans can also enjoy over 40 diverse food and beverage vendors and four unique marketplaces. Set against the scenic Lake Michigan and downtown Milwaukee backdrops. Billed as The "World's Largest Music Festival", Milwaukee's cornerstone summer event will celebrate its 45th Anniversary.

FESTIVAL INTERNATIONAL DE JAZZ DE MONTREAL (June 28-July 7 Montreal, QE) Set in the heart of the Quartier des spectacles in downtown Montreal it is ranked as the world's largest jazz festival in the Guinness World Records, for the past 30 years. It hosts over 30 countries, 3000 musicians and public entertainers, 1000 concerts and activities (two thirds of which are free), 15 concert halls, 8 outdoor stages and welcomes more than 2 million visitors, from noon to midnight!

MONTREUX JAZZ FESTIVAL (June 28-July 13 Vienna AU) Unearthed in 1908, the stands of the Roman theater are backed by the steep slopes of the hill whose top Pipet formed, in ancient times, a cult which was esplanade with its temples and sacred statues divine extension of the theater. Sa capacit� d'environ 13 000 spectateurs faisait du Th��tre Antique de Vienne l'un des plus grands th��tres urbains de l'empire romain, le deuxi�me de Gaule apr�s celui d'Autun. Capacity by approximately 13,000 spectators was the Roman Theatre of Vienna one of the largest urban theaters of the Roman Empire. Now it hosts this fabulous festival. This year guests include Chick Corea, McCoy Tyner, Mulgrew Miller, Robert Glasper, Tigran Hamasyan, Benny Green, Eddy Louiss, Eric Reed, Kenny Barron, Cheick Tidiane Seck, Baptiste Trotignon, Joe Sample, Melody Gardot, Tony Bennett, Erykah Badu, Dianne Reeves, Bobby McFerrin, Hugh Laurie, Sandra Nkake, Oumou Sangare, Pat Metheny, Bireli Lagrene, Larry Carlton, Al DiMeola, Al MacKay and others.

MONTREUX JAZZ FESTIVAL (June 29-July 14) Just say you'll be in Montreux and jazz aficionados will know what you're talking about. An unmissable event for music fans in Switzerland and around the world. Its stages have been graced by all of music's greats, from Miles Davis to Ray Charles and from David Bowie to Prince. The 46th Montreux Jazz Festival program will be released on April 19th, 2012.

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL ALL STAR GAME (July 6 - 10 Kansas City, MO) This year in arguably one of the most beautiful stadiums in the the country, baseball brings it's dog and pony show. Easily the biggest sporting event since George Brett and his crew knocked off the favored St Louis Cardinals in the "Show Me" World Series.

CALGARY STAMPEDE (July 6 - 15, Calgary AB) 2012 marks the Centennial celebration of The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth! Experience the daily thrill of Rodeo's Richest Afternoon, the thundering power of the GMC Rangeland Derby, the nightly spectacle of the one-of-a-kind TransAlta Grandstand Show and more.

NATIONAL CHERRY FESTIVAL (July 7 - 14, Traverse City, MI) If you are a cherry fan head to the Grand Traverse region, known for its world-record tart cherry harvest. Each year the area welcome thousands visitors eager to savor the flavor of cherries tucked into everything imaginable. Each day festival goers find cherry delights along with parades, family and kids events and entertainment. In all, there are more than 150 events along the shores of Lake Michigan's Grand Traverse Bay. Also a chance to taste some of the internationally award winning wines produced in the area. Stay at the perfectly located Grand Traverse Resort and Spa. Hurry, rooms fill fast!

COMIC-CON (July 12-15, San Diego CA) Features panels, seminars, and workshops with comic book professionals, there are previews of upcoming feature films, portfolio review sessions with top comic book and video game companies, and such evening events as awards ceremonies and the Masquerade, a costume contest, as well as the International Independent Film Festival. Look for special guests: Sergio Aragones, Scott Shaw, Greg Evans, Rob Guillory, Erik Larsen, Marc Silvestri and many others plus last minute surprises from upcoming feature films.

MACY'S MUSIC FESTIVAL CINCINNATI (July 27 - 28, Cincinnati, OH) This year celebrating 50 years of music. The summertime must-do event will again bring together family and friends from across the country to listen and dance to the sounds of Grammy-award winning artists and chart-topping legends. Friday will showcase Charlie Wilson, KEM, Ledisi, Eric Benet and Dennis Edwards & The Temptations Review; Saturday come back for Frankie Beverly & Maze, The O'Jays, Monica, Midnight Star and one more artist to be announced soon.

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.

GILROY GARLIC FESTIVAL (July 27-29 Gilroy CA) Enjoy three days of live music, nationally prominent cooking competitions and renowned cuisine enhanced with more than two tons of fresh Christopher Ranch California garlic. Gilroy touts itself as the garlic capital of the world and the festival supports that notion. Also included is the Great Garlic Cook-off - one of the most well-known cooking contests in the country. Hundreds of amateur chefs respond with delicious sounding recipes that run the gamut from soups to desserts and from every type of cuisine.

CONCOURS DE-ELEGANCE OF AMERICA AT ST JOHNS (July 29 Plymouth MI) Easily one of the finest concours in the country, formerly held at the Meadowbrook Estate, now here at the Inn of St Johns. Dussenbergs, Auburns, Cords are all on display in a salute to the finest automobiles ever made. Look for a motoring tour, vintage car racing, an auction and of course the fashions of every concours.

MUSIKFEST (August 3 - 12 Bethlehem PA) The nation's largest free, non-gated music festival celebrates its 29th year with over 500 performances taking place during the event's 10-day run, with great, free music on 14 of the festival's 15 stages. When guests arrive at Musikfest 2012, they'll discover an additional music venue where they can enjoy great, free music now that ArtsQuest Center's Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas will host concerts throughout the festival, starting at 5pm each night.

NEWPORT JAZZ FESTIVAL (August 3 - 5 Newport RI) The first annual jazz festival in America, it has been host to numerous legendary performances by some of the world's leading established and emerging artists. Historic moments since its inception include performances by Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane and Miles Davis. This year look for Dr. John, Dianne reeves, Jack Dejhnette, Darcy James, Ryan Truesdell's Gil Evans Project, Kurt Elling, Jonathan Batiste and others.

REGATA STORICA VENEZIA (September 2, Venice ITALY) The main event in the annual "Voga alla Veneta" rowing calendar. This unique sport has been practiced in the Venetian lagoon for thousands of years and today it is particularly well-known for the spectacular historical water pageant that precedes the race. Scores of typically 16th century-style boats with gondoliers in period costume carry the Doge, the Doge's wife and all the highest ranking Venetian officials up the Grand Canal in a brightly colored parade. An unforgettable sight and a true reconstruction of the glorious past of one of most the powerful and influential Maritime Republics in the Mediterranean.

OKTOBERFEST (September 22 - October 7, Munich, GERMANY) The world's largest fair and one of the best festivals in Germany. Every year, over 6 million visitors from all over the world go to Munich to drink beer, eat sausage and join together in song. Oktoberfest is famous for its huge beers in heavy steins, but there is more; link arms with locals, swing to the Oompha of Bavarian bands, admire traditional costumes, and get a good helping of German hospitality.

ALBUQUERQUE BALLOON FIESTA (October 6 - 14, Alburquerque NM)From its modest beginnings in 1972 with 13 balloons launching from a shopping mall parking lot, the Balloon Fiesta has grown to over 600 balloons and is the largest ballooning event on earth. Look for signature events like Dawn Patrol Show, Morning Glow, Mass Ascensions, Flying competitions, Special Shape Rodeo and more. Book early to get good hotel reservations.

INTERNATIONAL STORYTELLING FESTIVAL (October 5-7 Jonesborough, TN) Now in its 39th year and acclaimed as one of the Top 100 Events in North America, this festival sparked a renaissance of storytelling across the country. During the Festival, large, circus-type tents are erected in downtown Jonesborough with seating in each tent. In addition to main stage performances, other special events include the Midnight Caberet, Ghost Story Concerts, The Exchange Place and the very popular Swappin' Ground. Here, anyone can tell a tale-and many do!

SMOOTH JAZZ CRUISE (January 13 - 20 Departing Ft Lauderdale, FL) ports of call include Cozumel Mexico, Belize City, Belize, and key West FL. Musical lineup includes: George Benson, David Sanborn, Richard Elliot, Bob James, Streve Cole, Rick Braun, DW3. Larry Braggs and other. Book now as this cruise fills in a hurry on Holland America Line's Westerdam

FESTIVAL PANAFRICAN du CINEMA de OUAGADOUGOU (FESPACO) (February 23 - March 2, 2013 Burkina Faso)The 23rd edition of the Pan-African Film and Television Festival is Africa's largest film festival and has been running every second year since 1969 and has blossomed into the principal gathering and film bazaar for film-makers, producers, critics and fans from across Africa. Though Burkina Faso is among the world's poorest countries, this former French colony has traditionally placed a high value on culture, with an official government policy of supporting the arts. FESPACO marks an eight-day period when their impoverished homeland of a little over a 16 million people - 90 percent of whom are engaged in subsistence agriculture, with more than 46 percent living below the poverty line - gets a chance to shine in the international spotlight.

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