They call me Rummy

“Why is the Rum gone.” -Jack Sparrow

Yeah, I feel like that sometimes often. Don't judge.

Before reading on... make sure this plays in the background Ah Gallon ah rum

Good thing RumFest is a mere day away.  Rum cocktails, rum on the rocks, rum neat, rum-from-the-bottle, rum shots (ok, perhaps not shots), but an adundance of rum in my glass whilst at a great locale on the waterfront?  I say run, run, run to drink rum.  

Rum what!?:  A magical beverage that turns one into a pirate 

Rum when!? May 19th

Rum where!?   Žluté lázně (translates to Yellow Spa.  Literally).

Yellow Spa

Rum how?! Buy your tickets here

Rum why?!  Because it is rum.  No further explanation necessary.

I am quite the fan of Mount Gay Extra Old, and recently I have discovered indulged over-indulged in a Hawaiian rum called Ko Hana (well, sugarcane was introduced to Hawaii in 1841... and they do make a mean Mai Tai) so it makes sense there would be a rum worth indulging over-indulging in.

And then there is Don Papa.  I like anything called Don Papa.  I just want to say Don Papa over and over and over again. Don Papa Don Papa Don Papa small batch rum from the Philippines.  "Now available in New York!"   Good to know cause I just schlepped my ass to Asia for this stuff.

Let me know if you drink either at RumFest....

Easter Markets in Prague

If in Prague, don't forget to stroll through the Easter markets.

April 1st - 23rd, the markets are open daily in Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square.  Lots of Easter traditional crafts for purchase, as well as food and drink.

One VERY important item to purchase while at the market is a pomlázka (braided whip with a ribbon tied to the end).  More info to come, but you'll be glad to own one. Or more...

To read more about the Easter Markers and see additional photos, click here

Photo from Pragueexperience.com

If you go, send me your photos!  I wish I could be there so will live vicariously through you.

Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend

According to Radio Praha, there is a unique 64-carat diamond worth 16 million USD currently on display in Prague. 

I had hoped they would have included a photo of said diamond, but alas, they have let me down. Apparently the stone beautiful rock that should be on my finger is on loan Antwerp and was found in Lesotho, South Africa, in 2012.  They claim that it is the biggest diamond ever shown in the Czech Republic. 

The exhibit also has other diamonds on display...some 200 or so.  Since I can't get to this exhibit, I am counting on one of my readers to go and take a photo for me so I can then oggle this beautiful rock that should be on my finger.

Where:

Siroka 15 in Prague (Google tells me this is the home of Diamonds International Corp.)

Hurry!  You only have until November 16th.  Thereafter aforementioned beautiful rock that should will be on my finger.

Here is a map of where to go:

"Tis the Season

As you know, us Czechs love our marionettes.  So for all of you in NYC, here's your chance to get in touch with your Czech or not-so-Czech side.  

'Tis the Season!

The Czechoslovak-American Marionette Theatre  is starting the season with A Christmas Carol, Oy! Hanukkah, Merry Kwanzaa 

DETAILS:

La MaMa Theatre (The Club) 

74A East Fourth Street  

December 4-14 Fridays through Saturdays at 10:00 PM, Saturdays @ 2pm & Sundays at 5:00 PM Box office (212) 475-7710, www.lamama.org

Dvořák's "New World" is coming to The Big Apple

For those of you in New York, this would be a

The original manuscript of the "New World" Symphony returns for the first time to New York City, where it was composed by Antonín Dvořák in 1893. On loan from the Czech National Museum, the manuscript will be reunited with original orchestral parts from the New York Philharmonic, created for the world premiere at Carnegie Hall in 1893. 

The public is invited to view the exhibit in the Czech Center Gallery at the Bohemian National Hall from Monday, November 17th -Friday, November 21st daily from 1pm - 9pm.  Tours will be offered, and lectures presented Tuesday, November 18th -Thursday, November 20th daily at 6pm. The Dvořák Room will be open during exhibition hours. Admission is free. 

For more information please visit: www.czechcenter.com  &  www.dvoraknyc.org

Lenny's back!

He's back... 

Looking for something to do on November 13th?  Well, Lenny Kravitz will be back in Prague performing at the O2 Arena.  He hasn't performed in Prague since 2011... catch him this year.  With a new album entitled Strut out this month, it's bound to be an amazing show!

Check out his new song, The Chamber 

For more info & to purchase tickets, please visit LiveNation

Do you know this man?

Do you know this man?

Neither did I (should I hang my head in shame?). He is Carlos Relvas (1838-1894), a founding figure of Portuguese photography.  And between this photo of him and his work, I like this man... and am honored to now know of him.

I feel as though he takes photos of what makes him happy.  Not that I know, that is just what his photos make me feel

Landscape. Portugal, 1876-1878

Sheep, ca 1870, New toned print from stereoscopic collodion negative

So to all of my creative friends in Prague and anyone else who's artistic, check out his work at Galerie Rudolfinum now through September 15th.  Read more about Carlos and the exhibit at PragueTV 

Dust off those ice skates

An outdoor skating rink is so fitting this time of year...especially when the backdrop is the stunning Baroque Estates Theatre (Stavovské divadlo)

**Photo by Oskar Exner**

The rink is located at Ovocný trh (the fruit market) and will remain open through January 31, 2013.  Hours are 10 am - 9:30 pm.  Use of the rink is free-of-charge, but if you need to rent skates it'll set you back a mere 50 CZK per hour.

Don't know how to ice skate?  Grab a hot mulled wine from one of the many Christmas stands in Old Town Square and you'll be performing the lutz in no time!

Please help me feel Christmassy!

I'm longing for that Christmassy feeling and no place delivers better than Prague.  But, alas, I am not in Prague for the holiday season this year, thus I need to ask you, readers, for your help in making me feel festive and bringing a Prague Christmas to me in Hawaii. 

Today I envision strolling through Old Town Square with a hot cup of Svařák (mulled wine) in-hand.  Perhaps a cinnamon Trdelnik in my other hand.  Gloved hands, of course, for I picture it to be quite chilly, perhaps even lightly snowing.  

I don't like the cold weather by any stretch of the imagination, but during the Christmas season, it's what helps make me feel festive, especially when the scent of wood burning fills the air...or roasting meat!

The Christmas markets are now open throughout Prague and they are where I long to be...

During the day I like to browse the stands and pick up presents and stocking stuffers for family & friends

And at night, there's just something so spectacular about being in the square surrounded by twinkling lights and holiday music... gives me a sense of calm and happiness that I just can't put into words.

** All of the photos except for the very first one are from MyCzechRepublic since I am not there this year **  Visit the website for opening hours and a list of all of the x-mas markets in Prague

The Flood of 2002

Marking the 10th anniversary of the Prague floods in 2002, Czech Photo Gallery is displaying 90 photos tracing the destructive flooding of the capital. The exhibit that runs through October 7 features works of 31 photographers who immortalized moments in the dramatic days in August 2002, when the country was hit by 500-year-floods. It builds on the 2002 fall exhibit that garnered much critical acclaim in the Czech Republic and abroad and which toured overseas to New York City. The organizers have also compiled a book containing 200 shots from 44 top photographs on the subject. The publication is both in English and Czech and can only be purchased during the exhibit. For details, visit the Czech Photo Gallery website. TICKETS: Free entry CONTACT: Czech Photo Gallery; Újezd 19, Prague 1

RELATED WEBSITE: http://www.czechphotogallery.cz

Life is sweeter with cupcakes

You all know by now that I can't get enough of the homemade baked goods from Sweet Life Bakery, so can you imagine my excitement when I discovered their stand at the Karlin Farmers' Market!  

I love to start off my Saturday with a stroll through the market.  Alena and Eric, the husband and wife proprietors, are always smiling and gracious (and make a mean espresso).  So what are you waiting for?  Head on over this Saturday, stop by Sweet Life, and tell them Eva sent you.  You'll be glad you did! 

Now please excuse me while I indulge in their delicious wares... 

 

When and Where: 

Saturdays 7:30-14:00

Karlin Farmers’ Market (Karlinsky farmarsky trh)

Karlinske namesti, Karlin Prague 8

How to get there: 

Metro to stops Florenc or Krizikova, Tram 8, 24 to Karlinske namesti

The 12th annual SázavaFest is here!

It's that time of year again!  It wouldn't be summer in CZ without SázavaFest.  Between August 2nd and 5th, more than 100 acts will perform their hearts out all for your entertainment. This year’s headliners include indie rockers Kaiser Chiefs (UK), legendary DJ Paul Oakenfold and New York’s Fun Lovin‘ Criminals (USA), as well as other major acts like Skindred (UK), Yellow Umbrella (DE), Molotov (MEX), Coby Grant (AUS) and Lyre Le Temps (FR). This three-day shindig features an additional dance stage hosting renowned DJs like Mike Candys, DJ Sak Noel, Dennis Sheperd and Chris Sadler. For the complete line-up, check out the official SázavaFest website (In Czech and English) TICKETS: Advance three-day passes are available through Ticketpro for 1,290 CZK or at the venue for 1,600 CZK. LOCATION: Areál Zelený ostrov, Benešov u Prahy

Wake Jam 2012

Fifth annual Wake Jam 2012 

Sunday, June 17th at 2 pm

If you're into BMX, skateboarding, and/or wakeboarding ...this is one event you won't want to miss!  Get on down to Žluté lázně this Sunday - music, cocktails, beach, fun!

Address:

Podolské nábřeží 1108/1, 147 00 Praha 4-Podolí

Music under the stars

So the Czech Beer Festival started today and takes place at  Vystavyště Holešovice (Prague Exhibition Grounds), which you probably already know if you read my previous post.  But did you now that Vystavyště is also home to a spectacular work of wonder and one of my favorite places to visit?  Yep, hidden behind this beautiful building 

is a fountain, but not just any fountain, this fountain...

Křižík's Fountain was designed by and named after Czech engineer František Křižík, the electrically illuminated Křižíkova Fountain was the centerpiece of the 1891 General Land Centennial Exhibition held in Prague, which was then part of Austria-Hungary. Today, the Fountain is equal parts attraction and stage. As the backdrop for a 6,000-person amphitheater, it hosts dance performances, classical concerts, and other events, some of which are performed on various platforms within the fountain.

Na Zdraví!

It's that time of year again!  The 5th annual...

For 17 days (May 17th - June 2nd), you'll have the chance to imbibe in more than 70 brands of Czech beers.  Beer, food, music...need I say more?  

This year the festival returns to Vystavyště Holešovice (Prague Exhibition Grounds), which is a gorgeous building that was founded in the late 19th century and is used to this day for fairs, exhibitions, concerts and other activities.

For details and more information about the festival, please visit Czech Beer Festival

Na Zdraví!

Congratulations Ch Zlatapraha Brubeck on your win!

So I'm watching the Westminster Kennel Club 136th Annual Dog Show yesterday and I take notice of a new  breed for 2012...the Cesky Terrier (Český teriér) - and what a charming breed it is!  The winner of the Cesky Terrier group is this guy:

Ch Zlatapraha Brubeck 

Congrats Zlatepraha Brubeck!

     Ch Zlatapraha Brubeck

Breed: Cesky Terrier

Sex: Dog

AKC: RN 21109301

Date of Birth: August 06, 2003

Breeder: Wendy Craig

Sire: Ch Alchemy Milenka's Bohemian

Dam: Ch Zlata Kvitko

Owner: Wendy Craig & Marc Joliat

Photos: Breed judging

You can view the Cesky Terrier group judging here:  Westminster Kennel Club Cesky Terrier

Info about the breed:

The Cesky Terrier was developed to be a well-muscled, short legged and well-pigmented hunting terrier that could be worked in packs. The Cesky Terrier has natural drop ears and a natural tail. The Cesky is longer than it is tall and has a topline that rises slightly higher over the loin and rump. It sports a soft, long, silky coat in shades of gray from Charcoal to Platinum. The correct coat is clipped to emphasize a slim impression. The hallmarks of the breed should be unique unto itself with a lean body and graceful movement. They are reserved towards strangers, loyal to their owners, but ever keen and alert during the hunt. 

"A night out in Prague, in the early 20th Century"

Picture it...

Saturday night, 1914, and you're getting ready for an evening on the town.  What would you be wearing?

© Gabriel Urbánek, Ondřej Kocourek (UPM)

A Hanna Podolská evening dress

Here's your chance to find out exactly what you might be wearing.  The Museum of Decorative Arts is exhibiting Prague's Fashion Houses 1900-1948.  CZECHPOSITION.COM has a great article entitled "A night out in Prague, in the early 20th Century".

Pantless Prague

Someone asked me why people were riding the metro without pants on Sunday...here you go!

For more info, here's the article from CZECHPOSITION.COM

Dozens of Czechs join in global ‘pantsless’ subway prank

As part of ‘No Pants Subway Ride’ prank, young Czechs on Sunday dropped their trousers while riding the Prague metro

SOCIETY                                                                                                                   Brian Kenety | 09.01.2012

© Improv Everywhere

People from 27 countries, including the Czech Republic, took part on Sunday in the 11th annual “No Pants Subway Ride” — a kind of flash mob-style happening that was the brainchild of the New York group Improv Everywhere, which takes pride in “causing scenes of chaos and joy in public spaces.”

According to local press reports (see the iDNES.cz photo gallery here), about two dozen young people traveled through the Prague metro from the stations of Muzeum and Florenc on Sunday wearing no pants (in the case of the four young women who took part, they donned ultra- miniskirts).

The pranksters had met at the Wenceslas Square and took to the underground with a banner reading “no pants, no problem.” Some of the young men made a point of wearing comical boxer shorts.

In New York, an estimated 4,000 people of all ages took part in the prank, according to Improv Everywhere, which said the event — organized through Facebook and other social media — was staged in 59 cities in 27 countries.

© YouTube The story of the first No Pants Subway Ride in 2002 in New York City (refresh your browser if video isn’t visible)

As if it's not cold enough...

But hell, if it's cold you may as well surround yourself with ice, snow, and even more ice right here in Prague at our very own ice bar!  Good thing cocktails will warm you up...

Cloud 9 Sky Bar & Lounge at the Hilton Hotel will be holding it's Ice Bar Opening Party tomorrow, Friday, January 6th.  Don't miss your chance to experience a bar made entirely of ice!  The view from the Hilton's terrace is spectacular, and you'll also get to taste and enjoy Slovakia's Double Cross Vodka, as they're holding their official launch at this event, too.  

Even better, Lime & Tonic has a special offer to attend this event.  Tickets are normally 2000kc, but through Lime & Tonic they're only 1,390kc, and every purchase helps to support tree planting.  There's also an all-you-can-eat seafood buffet included, and of course all-you-can-drink Double Cross Vodka cocktails.

As they say in Slovakia, na zdravie, and as we say in Czech, na zdraví!

Taking a festive stroll through Old Town's Christmas market

Oh, how I adore this time of year!  Strolling through the Christmas markets (Vánoční trhy) in Prague with the sweet smell of hot Trdelník in the air, sipping on Svařák to stay warm, taking in all of the sights and sounds of the holiday...this is what I look forward to every year!

Enjoying Svařák (hot mulled wine)

Be sure to visit the Christmas market during the day as well as at night when thousands of lights are twinkling...

The Christmas markets are now up throughout the city, but the most famous one is in Old Town Square.  So grab a Svařákor Medovina (honey wine or Mead) and take a leisurely stroll around Old Town Square.  If your're lucky, it may begin to snow...adding to the Christmassy feel.  

Be sure to admire the tree that came to the city centre from Krkonoše (Giant Mountain) in the Czech Republic.

 Old Town Square at Christmastime 

 

  Christmas just wouldn't be right without a nativity scene, but a live one!?  This is one you won't want to miss!  There's also a petting zoo, performances of Christmas music and dance, and many, many stalls selling everything from Czech food, beer and treats, to glass, candles, and traditional Czech toys and marionettes.  It's a great place to pick up a little something to put under the tree or in a stocking.

   Other Prague Christmas markets are in Wenceslas Square, with smaller markets at Havelske Trziste and Náměstí Republiky, and all are within a 10-minute walk.  Another Christmas market is situated in Náměstí Míru, which is a bit outside of the city center but very easily reached by metro or tram.  You'll find more locals than tourists here.

Wenceslas Square

Snow begins to gently fall as people stroll through the market at Wenceslas Square

I recommend going atop the clock tower at dusk or later when it's dark...the view is spectacular!

Trdlo

A delicious treat!  Trdlo is dough wrapped around a hot metal pin, baked to perfection and then rolled in cinnamon sugar or almonds.

 The Prague Christmas market in Old Town Square stays open on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and through January 1, 2012.