After three years of earthquake strengthening and refurbishment, crowds of Wellingtonians got to tour through the newly reopened St James Theatre over the weekend . On Saturday Wellingtonians were able to take a guided walk through the heritage theatre between 10am and 8pm. The tour was part of a celebration of the capital’s theatre district, with other open days and behind-the-scenes tours running at BATS Theatre, Circa, Hannah Playhouse and Te Auaha. At the St James, performers from Slightly Isolated Dog led groups of up to 15 people through the foyer and out into the stage area then back onto Courtenay Place. In the evening a street parade with performers led people from Wellington’s other theatres back to the St James, with a closed-off street party then hosted outside by stand-up comic Sameena Zehra. READ MORE: The Howard Morrison Quartet Take Two to tour New Zealand What's on in Wellington: Arts, culture and events CubaDupa boasts 250 events, 90 street food … [Read more...] about Wellingtonians tour through newly reopened St James Theatre
Self guided lake district walking tours
Heads of state: A walk among giant presidential busts
If you've always wanted to get close to a head of state, then make your way to this swampy field just outside Historic Williamsburg, Virginia, where gigantic and decaying busts – some 20 feet tall, weighing several tons each – portray every U.S. president from George Washington to George W. Bush. "They're just huge!" one visitor exclaimed. "This whole thing is vibe," said another. But they're an accidental tourist attraction. "You kind of would expect 'em to be, like, in a museum," said Ben. "Instead they're outside, just in the elements." All on the site of Howard Hankins' recycling center. Hankins, who is also a builder, had originally helped construct a park for the busts that opened in 2004 to capitalize on the Williamsburg tourism industry. But just six years later, "The economy hit 'em hard," he said. "They just couldn't keep the doors open. And they called me up and asked me if I'd crush 'em, cause I crush concrete." Correspondent Rita Braver asked, "Why didn't … [Read more...] about Heads of state: A walk among giant presidential busts
The Italian holiday hotspot which is away from the British crowds – with cheap wine and 5* hotels
IMAGINE a place surrounded by picturesque lakeside villages, medieval castles and hundreds of vineyards. Rovereto is nestled in the base of Italy’s Trentino region and surrounded by the Piccole Dolomiti (the little Dolomites). Perhaps because superstars like the Kardashians are distracted by the uber-expensive Portofino area and the Amalfi coast, Trentino, in the north of the country, is somewhat overlooked. Yet it is a paradise for living la dolce vita, and I soon come to the conclusion it is Italy’s best-kept secret. Germany provides the biggest market for tourists, then Austrians and Scandinavians in search of the Mediterranean sun, minus the scorching temperatures of the south. Italians also flock here to go rock climbing, camping, sailing and to breathe in the Alpine air. READ MORE ON TRAVEL LOVE THIS ISLAND Spanish Balearic isle of Majorca has more to it than just love TOP FLIGHT Secrets to avoid airport chaos … [Read more...] about The Italian holiday hotspot which is away from the British crowds – with cheap wine and 5* hotels
R. Kelly timeline: A downfall three decades in the making
R Kelly's musical accomplishments have been accompanied by a long history of allegations that he sexually abused women and children. Now the R&B singer has been sentenced to spend the next three decades behind bars. A jury found Kelly guilty in September of sex trafficking charges. While Kelly, born Robert Sylvester Kelly, has vehemently denied the allegations, his accusers testified in detail that he subjected them to perverse and sadistic whims when they were underage. Kelly still faces a trial in Chicago in the US on charges of child pornography and obstruction of justice. READ MORE: R&B superstar R. Kelly convicted in sex trafficking trial R. Kelly 'demanded complete obedience', prosecutors in sex trial say Years in the making, R. Kelly sex abuse trial gets underway R Kelly's lawyers request to be taken off case ahead of trial R Kelly seeks release from prison because of coronavirus risk A timeline of Kelly’s life through his rise and fall as a … [Read more...] about R. Kelly timeline: A downfall three decades in the making