In terms of cities that have been active in the areas of art and culture in the past two decades, few have seen as many changes as Dallas. There have been great peaks, followed by small declines, but with every decline there is always another moment in the sun. These shifting trends have proven, however, that the art scene in the city has never been stagnant, and it’s anything but stale. A city’s promise and success can be measured in terms of its commitment to art, because it shows how connected the communities really are to each other. With the work of umbrella organizations like DADA , the Dallas Art Dealers Association, there is more than enough evidence to suggest these are very solid relationships.

A stroll through any of the Art Walk nights reveals a city that is very much engaged in an artistic conversation. There is not only a sense of community spirit here, but also a real sense for innovation and excellence from the local community. The promise of Dallas Real Estate is not simply based on the possibility of living in excellent neighborhoods, but also becoming part of a larger picture, where the community itself is committed to raising the bar for its own standards of the good life.

The Dallas Art Scene is a post from: KizaPark

London for me has always been a place where things turn into something else.  Stories of fantastic beasts and monsters from childhood stories enchanted me early on, and perhaps even especially Shakespeare’s plays would fill my head with all the things that can happen to a person in a forest.  For some reason, all of these things made me feel like I couldn’t wait to get older.  It seemed as though these transformations happen to people when they’re a little older, at least a teenager, and sometimes even older than that.

Today, there are many opportunities to get to London, where hotels offer a sophisticated hospitality to make a trip exceptionally nice.  And there are many opportunities to get to see the new version of Midsummer, or any of those plays where things are not what they seem.  There’s a lot that’s changed, and a lot that’s still very much the same.  The largest difference between then and now is probably a measure of belief.  Today, I’m not so convinced that trees can have spirits living inside of them, and I’m not entirely certain that most of the things that creak in the night aren’t just imagination.

It might be that the small degree of doubt, however, that has replaced my faith, is just as strong, if not stronger.  On a recent trip, I was going to do a little bit of research, and a little bit of sightseeing.  I’ve been carrying around a sense that I had entered into another phase of life.  Less magic was entering into my world, and I had been deciding to adjust, and was starting to feel this was working.  However, there was a small sense that maybe there was something else, but that sense had been disappointing.  But I couldn’t get rid of the nugget.  When I was sitting in the theatre, watching the Tempest and thinking about Mirandas of the past, someone brushed my arm, and when I looked, a stranger was smiling and apologizing at once, saying that she thought I was somebody else.  Then, we got to talking.

London Tempest is a post from: KizaPark

One of my college roommates was from Atlanta, Georgia.  And I must say that I had an idea, a stereotypical idea that I am not proud of, but I had always considered that those from the South, may be a bit..closed minded in their ideas of race, religion, ethnicity.  She proved me wrong, as the city will do should you decide to visit at some point.  I went to see Jackie a few years ago, and we treated ourselves to a stay in one of her favorite luxury Atlanta hotels downtown.

Walking through the streets that night, I realized that the city is populated by a diverse group of people.  One man we met was originally from Bangalore.  Our waiter was from Manhattan, and the woman we bought ice cream from later on that night was from Czechoslovakia.  I don’t think we came across anyone who was actually born in Atlanta, except for Jackie herself.  The people and city streets remain very welcoming to newcomers, they were very welcoming to me.

We stopped in to the High Museum of Art.  A major renovation and expansion was just completed, with designs from the famous architect, Renzo Piano.  One of the best elements of this museum for me, was the fact that the High is partnered with Paris museum, the Louvre.  Pieces of work that I may never be able to see, unless one day I decide to travel to France, were hanging on the walls in Atlanta.

The Louvre ships exhibits from their permanent collection, as well as sending the traveling shows on through to the High.  This month the museum is also presenting lectures, on topics ranging from the works of legendaryarchitect John Portman, to the world renown Renee Cox and her exhibit “Undercover: Black Female Identities”, and a night with Tierney Gearson.  Gearson has spent a lifetime working as a photographer and will be exhibiting her new works titled “Explosure” at the end of October.  This is a city that I will return to one day, that is for certain.

The Diversity of Atlanta, Georgia is a post from: KizaPark

Ibiza is a traveler’s paradise, with a sumptuous combination of fantastic beaches and amazingly lively nightlife.  Guests here are treated to the relaxed pace that only island living can offer, along with a gorgeous portion of contemporary Spanish style, to make life sweet.  It is a magnetic spot for travelers of all walks of life, from the young and hip backpacker set, to the rich and famous looking for the next great night at a brilliant new club.  It is also home to some of the regions finest restaurants and best hotels.  Ibiza is a splendid array of all of the best things in life, and our lodgings are selected based on their excellence in providing old-fashioned hospitality in an extremely lush contemporary setting.

The lures of Ibiza are many, from the rich and fascinating history of the island, to the sweet siren’s call of the Mediterranean Sea.  It is most famous these days for the nightclubs, and celebrities flock here to engage with the musical stylings of some of the world’s hottest djs.  The revolution in techno music has never been more active, and even the youngest djs are becoming extremely deft in bringing new technological innovations to the dance floor.  There are many good reasons for this, and the first is the relatively easy access to all sorts of technologies that would have been cost-prohibitive just a few years ago.  There are also plenty of cultural permissions that make it a very positive social experience, both for the one learning to dj and for all of her friends.

The art of dj’ing is becoming so ubiquitous, in fact, that it’s possible to learn how to do it in the virtual realm.  Second Life, the virtual identity game that has become a simulacrum for a real life, has ways to become a dj in the cyber realm.  It takes a lot of software, and a solid grasp of both dj and computer technologies, but it’s possible to start here and begin learning in another realm before hitting the actual dance floors.  Of course, to make everything even more ironic than it already is, there’s even a club in Second Life named for Ibiza’s Space where a virtual dj competition takes place.  At four a.m., when you find yourself dancing and wondering if the sun is up yet, it might be difficult to tell the difference.

Second Life and Ibiza is a post from: KizaPark

Indonesia is an incredibly fascinating place, and even the busiest business travelers have the opportunities to catch some of the magic here.  Bangkok is one of the largest cities in the world, and has a bustle and a rhythm that is simultaneously rapid and laid-back.  It’s always a perfect moment to step back from the fast pace and enjoy the sights and smells, and Bangkok generously rewards those who can take a little time to enjoy the city.  After the business deals and meetings are done, Bangkok can offer a multitude of attractions and distractions, and our Bangkok business hotels offer the chance to rejuvenate after the long days.

We’ve chosen our hotels based on their excellence in providing quality service to the business traveler.  We understand efficiency and the importance of your deadlines, and our aim is to help you meet those, and find things to do in your down time that will make you smile.  Bangkok has everything to offer, and anything one could imagine, to help you entertain your clients, or pass some time in Indonesian style.  If you and your clients are art-oriented, and thinking about spending an afternoon looking at the local art while talking shop, then you’re in a fantastic place.  Bangkok has art galleries and exhibition spaces to please every palate.

There is an exceptionally lively cultural scene here, and the visual art is one place to discover the city.  The impressions and obsessions that the artists represent are clues to the nature of the place, and galleries like Art Republic focus on new work, so that the viewer can get a particularly focused look at what Bangkok looks like at this very moment.  At least, as it appears in the minds of these artists.  Art Republic is one of the more established galleries in town, and they focus on young, local artists, with an eye toward the emerging and established figures.  They also present work by self-taught and outsider artists, and have a revolving series of exhibitions that are always interesting and thought-provoking.  Working with clients while looking at art can be a lovely and sophisticated way to make a deal.

Art Republic Bangkok is a post from: KizaPark