This comprehensive gathering of paintings and works on paper puts the emphasis on Signac as a colourist. Signac’s discovery of St Tropez in the 1890s tied in with a growing role given to colour and increasing use of watercolours in his search for harmony – a formal search curiously at odds with his Anarchist convictions. Some of his landscapes, notably the late-1920s Venetian scenes, come close to kitsch but this exhibition also offers the chance to discover his lovely black charcoal drawings.
White House Easter Egg Roll
The Monday after Easter has become famous in Washington for this folksy event, in which kids ages three to six are invited onto the South Lawn of the White House for an egg roll and other springtime activities. The only requirement is a timed ticket (which are free) and adult supervision, which will get wide-eyed youngsters an egg and a glimpse of the Easter Bunny. And unless world events warrant his presence elsewhere, the President usually makes an appearance as well.
Romeo and Juliet
Prokofiev meets Shakespeare, boy meets girl and drama meets dance in a piece created by Hungarian choreographer Laszlo Sergei and performed by the Hungarian National Ballet. Sergei says that Shakespeare’s love story, Prokofiev’s music and Zeffirelli’s film provided the inspiration for the piece. The dance is meant to adhere to the plot as closely as the medium of ballet allows. Fortunately, most people already know that the story is about two lovers trying to overcome the obstacle of a feud between their families.
Barco Havana Princess
Avenida Carlos Manuel de Céspedes; look for the medium-sized white cruiser opposite the craft market near the cathedral, by the Neptune Fountain
Open for lunch noon-3pm daily; for shows 7pm-3am daily. Admission see below. Map p316 D16.
This ship is home to a nightclub and restaurant. It’s open for lunch and dinner every day, but at 7pm every night it cruises along the coast beside the Malecón for two hours, after which people can stay on board and dine and dance until 5am. Admission to the club is $10 ($15 Fri-Sun), or you can enjoy the surroundings of the Pano Bar for $10 (with two free drinks). Alternatively you can choose not to pay admission and to pay for every drink separately. This is a tourist-only venue, allegedly to prevent Cubans from hijacking the boat and heading off to you-know-where.
Eminem
This man is so hot right now he contributes more to global warming then CFCs. Launching himself in 1999 with the ‘Slim Shady EP’, Eminem used his foul-mouthed alter-ego to vent spleen at, among others, rival local rappers and his mum. Now big enough to leave Shady behind him, Eminem is touring the ‘Marshall Mathers LP’. Packed with killer tunes but stamped with Eminem’s sustained anger, hip hop energy and sheer lyrical genius, this is a concert worth robbing your granny for – she almost certainly has tickets…
Mardi Gras Festival
It’s come a long way since the very first parade was scarred by some pretty vicious police action to arrive at its present position as a major highlight of the Sydney social calendar. This year’s Mardi Gras kicks off with a free party on the steps of the Opera House and culminates in a street parade that is as politically in your face as it is witty. In between there’s a suitably outrageous collection of events, balls and concerts. For the more physically inclined the Physique 2001 and the 2001 Mardi Gras Sports Festival might be the place to be.
Adventures of Alice
This new ballet was crafted by Martin Schönberg and is based on Lewis Carroll’s novels about Alice and the weird and wacky characters she meets. The combination of music from various Mendelssohn works, enchanting sets and costumes and the dancers of Ballet Theatre Afrikan, offers joyful festive fare for young and old. A Mad Hatter Tea Party during the interval will delight the children, who can also be photographed with members of the cast.
Charles Neville Jazz Group
All the Neville brothers have side music projects but the least known and most interesting is Charles Neville’s jazz ensemble. At 63, he’s been a participant in the music’s history, playing in his youth with seminal traditional jazz musicians and was instrumental in the Harlem jazz scene of the 60′s. The quartet, called ‘one of the best jazz bands you’ve never heard of’ by its devoted fans, will make a rare appearance on the eve of Jazz Fest.
Se Wong Fun
It’s the Year of the Snake, but that doesn’t mean the reptile is not cooked and served to diners yearning for some of its mythical powers. Many Chinese believe snake fights off winter colds. The more poisonous the snake, the better it is for you. The gall bladder is also eaten raw to give energy, strengthen bones and moisturise skin. While many snake restaurants have the reptiles slithering around inside the shop, this wholesome outlet keeps them out of sight and offers a good snake soup.
