The Know Insider Weblog

With the British recession truly upon the companies of London, could the city’s famous musical shows keep the musical ticket revenue coming in? Over in the theatre district Broadway, the theatre shows are being hit with reduced musical ticket revenue as further folk are deciding to stay in instead of hit the streets of New York. Many people, usually couples and families are staying in watching the very latest blockbuster movies than going out to watch a musical show. The New York plays have responded quickly by putting down show prices to increase theatre show lovers back, so far with interesting results. Infact, Shrek the Musical is selling a family ticket bundle of 2 grown ups paying whole price with up to three children attending the show for free. With the reputation of the Shrek blockbuster films, the reputation of fun has also relayed to the Broadway adaptation.

Over in London, the ticket sales have also noticed a decrease. The British recession has caused countless shows to observe their profits even more than usual. And with a multitude of plays employing high priced stars, like Nicole Kidman and Orlando Bloom, the production firms require to regain this expense. Luckily for the capital city and of course the shows there are cheap ticket booths that allow theatre show goers to purchase tickets for top shows at a fraction of the show face value. These popular ticket booths have seen a growth in revenue ever since the Great British economic crisis and this allows the musical lovers of London and its magnificent visitors to be able to afford to purchase their preferred musicals and plays without spending too much money. Get your hands on Cheap Theatre Tickets with great savings on all top West End musicals and plays.

As the UK recession continues, we could find that a variety of theatre productions could look to offer similar show ticket deals to that of Broadway with family ticket bundles. Nevertheless, there are particular theatre shows that will stand the test of time - theatre shows like Woman in Black and Priscilla Queen of the Desert have been around for countless years and show no signs of lower tickets sales.

Contrary to popular opinion and belief, the seasons of the year are the source of the signs of the ‘Zodiac’, which translates as the ‘wheel of life.’ Few realize it, but the signs of the zodiac are named after the seasons first and the constellations were an after-thought. Since Astrology is based on the seasonal round and the planets, especially the Moon and Sun, it is tempting to believe that Astronomers and Astrologers and priests invented Astrology. It is probably true that they codified it and formulated a science of time, cycles and synchronicity, but agriculture was probably the main reason. The real meaning behind astrology is not necessarily what you read in your weekly horoscopes.

In this respect, the beginnings of Astrology was closely aligned with the almanac, yes the farmer’s almanac. The ‘wheel of life’ is not simply the band of stars that we have grouped into constellations. Yes, the ecliptic or apparent path of the Sun draws a line ‘through’ those constellations and in a spiritual and mystical sense, the sun is indeed the life giver. However, the seasonal round and agriculture was more immediately the life giver in ancient agricultural societies. In time, these farmers who watched the stars and the corresponding sign in nature became collectively to be known as Pagans.

The religious world view that grew up around this initial practical focus was very much about the marriage of heaven and earth. Thus, sacred monuments and entire civilizations erected temples to align with the stars in the constellations. The pyramids of Egypt are said to be aligned to correspond with Orion’s belt. Many such examples can be given for all the advanced ancient cultures of the world.

So, the sacred and innate urge to commune with nature - in this case with the cosmic dimension of nature, emerged and along with the sacred temples, Astrology was born. But the marriage of earth to heaven begins here on earth and the ’signs’ of nature and the natural seasonal round was the primary recognition and eventually, a portrait of the heavens via images, “totems” based on connecting the dots of stars emerged. In very early times in Sumeria, there were actually only 10 constellations and the 12th was a later development.

It is tempting for some to think that Astrology was created in some contrived manner. The point to consider is that Astrology emerged very slowly, as correspondences between seasons, weather, day and night and positions of planets and prominent stars when codified and symbolically mapped revealed order, shape, design and Mandalas, such that we see in nature. A main reason for this was to predict the weather patterns for the sake of growing food, as it is was a matter of life and death. In time, clocks or sundials and calendars were created and these stood and still do at the center of a culture.

This February is host to a mixed selection of events; the most preferred of the two are at absolutely distinct ends of the spectrum, the cities Fashion Week and The Brit Awards 2009 Looking forward to the Brits hear all the latest gossip today.

Both are tremendously renowned and have become somewhat of convention & consistently yearly occasion.

The Capitals 2009 Fashion Week takes place in NYC, Milan and Paris, the most modern & treasured urban cities in the world. The earliest Fashion Week was held in New York City in 1943 and was held intended to draw concentrated attention away from France fashion rage during WW II when fashion style lovers were allowed to go to France to look at the Paris Fashion shows. The long scheduled outstanding Fashion Week always takes place in February, it can be simply an opportunity for gifted designers both well known names like Ralph Lauren & new up and coming less experienced designers to demonstrate their newest collections on the runway. This then gives brand and store buyers a chance to take note of what is absolutely to be in & out this coming season. Fashion Week begins with New York City Fashion Week followed speedily by London’s Fashion Week, Milan Fashion Week and then at long last France Fashion Week.

The British Phonographic Industry also well known nowadays as The Brit Awards is the yearly latest pop music awards ceremony. The awards began in 1977 and took place in the Royal Albert Hall in London The awards in the beginning put out on on BBC One at present its now shown on ITV. The Brit Awards are viewed by & millions of folk yearly, and are also televised live each year. 2009’s Brits are also sworn to be fantastic & with wicked acts such as Kings of Leon, Duffy and Girls Aloud performing there your bound to be in for incredible evening, and what is great to know is that it wont stop there though. This years Brit Award Presenters are the amusing BBC 1’s Gavin and Stacey’s, James Corden and Mathew Horne and the attractive Kylie so you are certain to be in for a laugh too.

Brent L. Damkier, (pronounced Dam-key-r) handsome lyric tenor at
the Regensburg Opera, is best known for his recent roles as
Prince Tamino in The Magic Flute and Prince Ramiro in
Cinderella.

Damkier will play the role of Remendado a smuggler; while a
small role Damkier makes the very famous quintet “Smugglers
Quintet” his own. The performances are on April 12th, and 18th.
Just 75 miles (120 kilometers) out of Munich is the historic
German town of Regensburg. Just off the Danube River, nestled in
the heart of a charming old town square is an intimate 380
year-old opera house seating 524 dedicated patrons and
international guests; it is home to the leading tenor.

Damkier, who has performed throughout Europe, thrills audiences,
with his sweet interpretation and punctuated tenor dexterity.
>From character parts, to the male ingénue, to the leading man,
Damkier is bridging his operating roots to a U.S. tour in 2006
which will cross-over to a cabaret format broadening his
audience and fan club. One of the recital performances in early
2006 will be recorded and distributed for wide release.

The youthful face looks to be fresh out of high school having
originally hailed from Northern California, yet is the face,
voice, and actor of a well-trained virtuoso in his thirties. Six
years ago without any training in German, the nearly six-foot
tall, handsome, golden-eyed, fair-skinned performer headed for
Germany to hone his craft on the stages of several smaller opera
companies. According to producer and promoter TR Cutler, Damkier
will make his recital debut in South Florida.

Visit Brent L. Damkier at www.brentdamkier.com or email e-mail
e-mail protected from spam bots

###

Artist: Alon
Title: The Artist Manifesto: Document 1
Genre: Progressive Rock
Label: Great Egg Music
Website: http://www.alon.tv
CD Baby Link: http://cdbaby.com/cd/alon3

In three tracks, the artist extraordinaire Alon takes you through many worlds and atmospheres. He uses an incredible powerfully expressive voice to make his lyrics stick and music that is very much progressive in every sense of the word.

In a few seconds over 16 minutes, you will hear three tracks that will move you emotionally and sweep you away completely. “Art’s End” reminded me so much of the Bowie/Eno period when Low came out, featuring a synthesized atmosphere with a catchy rhythm that does not let go. I was really getting off on the song and was hoping that it would continue, alas all good things must end.

Alon has a very hip website as well; it is a work of art in progress with a message from him about his music and the site for you to view. Everything about this artist is progressive and that is why I appreciate everything he does. So once again, I get only a taste. I have a feeling he is setting me up for an incredible full-length album that I will never forget.

Make sure you go to his site to check out some sound samples and listen to what he has to say. This artist has something to say so pay attention.

© Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-http://www.muzikreviews.com

May 11, 2005

1. Time Will Tell (5:53)
2. Going Back (5:20)
3. Art’s End (4:52)

Rating-9/10

Credits:

Alon: vocals, 6 & 12 string acoustic guitars, keyboards, M-Tron, EBow, programming & The Alonomorphic Control Station
Kenny Jackson: Drums
Jim Hamilton of Alo Brazil: percussion
Shaun Patrick Callen: bass
Chico Huff: bass
Eileen Brady: vocals
Denise NeJame: vocals
Harrison McKay: Korg MS2000 keyboard
Scott Herzog: madness laughter