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Cosmopolitan
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Cosmopolitan
How to Have a Rom-Com Vacation in Ocean City, Maryland
Whether you're coupled up, ready to turn that situationship into a relationship, or looking for true love, Ocean City, Maryland, has all the ingredients for a dreamy romantic vacay worthy of a screen adaptation. Pristine beaches and mesmerizing sunsets? A bustling nightlife ripe for chance encounters? Yup, in this Eastern Shore resort town, life can be just like the movies. Pack your best fire emoji-worthy swimsuit and add the activities below to your itinerary. From the deliciously unhinged (do it for the group chat!) to the adorably cheesy (go get that kiss at the top of the Ferris wheel, girlie), the destination offers no shortage of ways to live out the most iconic rom-com plotlines. Aside from a makeover, nothing makes for a better montage than a date packed with wholesome activities. Ocean City's boardwalk contains nearly three miles of opportunities for cute AF moments to mentally snapshot. Some suggestions: Share a bucket of Thrasher's fries—served with apple-cider vinegar, never ketchup (it's a whole thing); hit the Kite Loft and then fly your colorful purchase on the beach; commemorate the day with a fun portrait at Flashback Old Time Photos; win each other obnoxiously big stuffed animals at Jolly Roger Pier arcade and amusement park; and, finally, take a ride on the Giant Wheel and make the people in the car behind you think, Get a room. Maybe you're waiting for the *perfect* moment, or maybe you've already had a makeout sesh that was just a tad underwhelming. Don't stress! With the right backdrop, that firework-inducing kiss is in your future. Here's what you're gonna do: Make a reservation at a bayfront restaurant like Fager's Island. Not only are this spot's crab cakes on point, but they time the sunset to Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture every. Single. Day. Once you hear the 15-minute climactic masterpiece start pumping through the speakers, hightail it to the gazebo on the restaurant's private pier to make your move as the dramatic crescendo hits. Grand gestures don't have to be expensive; at Assateague Island National Seashore, you can let its herd of free-roaming horses do the impressing for you. (One thing, though: Since they're wild, you can't feed or touch these cuties. The park rangers recommend observing them from at least 40 feet away.) In addition to the wildlife, the barrier island is known for its peaceful, rustic beaches, making it picnic-perfect. Pro tip: Pack a cooler with delish provisions from a specialty shop like the market at Touch of Italy. Try the Antipasti Della Casa (a cheese-and-charcuterie board for two), or pick up a couple of stacked Italian heroes to split. So your bestie invited someone you can't stand on the group trip? We all know how this trope plays out. You and the crew will rent kayaks to explore one of the area's photogenic salt marshes. You'll get stuck sharing a tandem with said person and drift away from the rest of the group because *someone* isn't paddling hard enough. Your bickering will cause the boat to tip over, and a crab will bite one of their toes (because, well, Maryland). The whole ordeal is pure comedy, so suddenly you're both laughing and—wait. Did you just catch feels? Yeah, you did. Fun fact: The Orange Crush—a summery bevvy made with freshly squeezed orange juice, vodka, triple sec, and a splash of lemon-lime soda—was invented in Ocean City, Maryland. Speaking of crushes, what are you waiting for? Take them to a picturesque bar, order a round of *the* cocktail and have *the* convo. Might we suggest Harborside Bar & Grill, where the drink originates, or Seacrets, which has a distillery on its six-acre bayfront compound? Even if the feelings aren't mutual, you're sure to lock eyes with someone new at one of the latter's 17 (yes, you read that right) bars. You're no damsel in distress, but as so many rom-coms have taught us, there's nothing a potential love interest loves more than overconfidently flaunting their skills. Cosplay this narrative and prepare for a meet-cute at one of Ocean City's many championship courses, such as Rum Pointe Seaside Golf Links. Then, once you've captured the attention—and heart—of the pro, flip the script and show off your real talent. In this movie, it's what scores you the one. Not a golf girlie? This method plays equally well on a fishing charter or a paddleboard tour—both of which are abundant in Ocean City. Start filming your Ocean City rom-com with a trip to the seaside destination. Visit
Boston Globe
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
July 4th Boston Pops Fireworks performer lineup announced
The free concert will include a slew of patriotic favorites – performed by the Pops, of course – closing with Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture. The fireworks display over the Charles will begin at about 9:40 p.m. The performance will be broadcast nationally on The CW Network and locally on WHDH-TV (Channel 7.) Advertisement Mark Shanahan can be reached at
L'Orient-Le Jour
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Alexander Sladkovski celebrates Tchaikovsky at Monnot: 'In short, he was a genius'
Who among us does not know Swan Lake, the 1812 Overture, The Nutcracker or Piano Concerto No. 1? Filled with iconic melodies, the works of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky will echo in Beirut on Wednesday, May 7, as the Lebanese Philharmonic Orchestra performs under the baton of Alexander Sladkovski. The event marks the famed Russian composer's 185th birthday. The concert, held at Saint Joseph Church in Monnot, features Sergei Slovachevsky, principal cellist of the prestigious Mariinsky Theatre and a respected coach and teacher. It is organized under the patronage of Russian Ambassador Alexander Rudakov and Hiba Kawas, interim director of Lebanon's National Higher Conservatory of Music. Sladkovski's early path to greatness Born to a piano teacher, Sladkovski 'spoke music before he spoke words.' At age 13, he met legendary conductor Yuri Temirkanov during an educational program — an encounter that shaped his destiny. Sladkovski earned a gold medal at the Moscow Conservatory and later graduated from the Rimsky-Korsakov Saint Petersburg State Conservatory, where he launched his career and eventually became chief conductor of the school's opera and ballet theater. He now leads the Tatarstan National Symphony Orchestra in Kazan, gaining recognition from international labels such as Medici and Mezzo, which have recorded many of his performances. His accolades include the 2016 title of 'People's Artist of the Russian Federation,' 'People's Artist of Tatarstan' in 2020, a win at the III Prokofiev International Competition in 1999, and the International Rachmaninoff Prize in 2019. A date rich in symbolism The May 7 performance pays tribute not only to Tchaikovsky's birth, but also to the historical significance of May 9 — known as Victory Day — which commemorates the 1945 defeat of Nazi Germany and the Allied victory in World War II. The Soviet Union, which lost an estimated 20 million people during what it calls the Great Patriotic War, bore a heavy toll. 'What better way to celebrate the battle between good and evil,' said Sladkovski, 'than through the legacy of a Russian and international icon?' The program includes selections such as Slavonic March, Waltz of the Flowers, and the 1812 Overture. The latter, portraying Russia's victory over Napoleon's invading forces, famously opens with the Marseillaise and ends in a thunderous crescendo of cannon fire, timpani and brass. May 7 also carries personal meaning for Sladkovski — it is the birthday of his mother, who first introduced him to music. The program is devoted entirely to the works of Tchaikovsky, whose vast and varied output mirrors the breadth of his homeland. A colossus of Russian music Though best known for his three ballets — Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, and The Nutcracker — Tchaikovsky's output was enormous. He composed six symphonies, 11 operas (including Eugene Onegin and The Queen of Spades), four orchestral suites, four string quartets, three piano concertos, dozens of overtures, waltzes, concertos for various instruments, sacred music, romances, and a vast body of chamber and solo piano works. 'All three of his ballets are essential to any company's repertoire,' Sladkovski noted. The Russian Beethoven To Sladkovski, Tchaikovsky is 'a genius — the greatest melodist, a master of structure and polyphony.' He was the first student to earn a gold medal at the Saint Petersburg Conservatory under the mentorship of Anton Rubinstein. Just as German influence shaped Russia's early musical tradition — and French and Italian schools informed its ballet — Tchaikovsky drew on composers such as Mozart, Beethoven, Strauss, Bruckner and Wagner, whose use of thematic melody, or leitmotif, deeply inspired him. 'In symphonic form, he is our Beethoven; in melody, he is our Wagner,' Sladkovski said. Voice of the Russian soul Tchaikovsky's work is marked by emotional depth, narrative strength and rich orchestration. 'He raised the bar when it came to expressing emotions,' Sladkovski told L'Orient-Le Jour. 'He was one of the masters of the Romantic era, after the Germans had dominated the scene.' His music, though molded by Western traditions, draws heavily on Russian folk themes. While not the first to do so — Mikhail Glinka paved the way — Tchaikovsky helped reintroduce Russian folk melodies to domestic and global audiences. His lyrical, passionate and often tragic works helped define what would become known as russkaya dusha — the Russian soul. Because the soul of classical music transcends borders, Sladkovski hopes to build cultural bridges between Russia and Lebanon — specifically between Kazan and Beirut. During his first visit to Lebanon, he invited Kawas to participate in the international music festival he directs in Kazan. 'This is also our mission as musicians,' he said.
The Guardian
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Fingers on buzzers: how quiz shows are evolving for gen Alpha
There was a time when quiz shows were about knowing who composed the 1812 Overture, which EU capital city is the most southerly and who scored the winner in the last FA Cup final to be held at the old Wembley. Lately, however, you have to be able to bend your brain in a different manner under the glare of the TV lights. For example, what is the lowest number to have the same value as 10 times the number of letters in its name? The above question was posed during the latest series of The 1% Club, the ITV quiz presented by comedian Lee Mack now into its fourth series, which becomes progressively more difficult as its rounds progress. Its success follows a trend for TV brainteasers and lateral thinking, including the BBC's devilishly hard Only Connect, which completed its 20th series last month. Richard Osman's House of Games, meanwhile, weaves general knowledge with logic puzzles. According to quizzing experts, the trend comes from the enjoyable process of logic puzzles, which avoid the black-or-white nature of knowing a piece of trivia. 'TV quizzes featuring brain teaser puzzles certainly seem to be experiencing something of a surge in popularity at the moment – and long may it continue,' said Robert Dean, who produced 20 series of Eggheads and has written thousands of questions for shows including The 1% Club. He added that setters also enjoyed the challenge of working on puzzle-based questions. 'A show like 1% Club can be played by anyone of pretty much any age as it requires little to no knowledge. That was at the heart of why it was commissioned: to create a quiz that anyone can play,' he said. Jane Allen, the managing director of the British Quizzing Association and a regular question setter for TV, radio and newspapers, said: 'With brain teasers, you can put all the pieces together. It's just not quite as all or nothing.' Dean said that the culture of social media may have played a part in the teaser trend, where timelines are often punctuated with attention-grabbing challenges. 'I think that has played a part, certainly in the creation of The 1% Club,' he said. 'What provided some of the inspiration for the idea were the puzzles that pop up from time to time on social media.' TV producers are also inspired by the success of shows such as Only Connect. 'Once one thing works well for somebody, others try to do something similar, but slightly different,' said Allen. 'It also translates into socials. It translates into apps. So, I'm not surprised to see a rise in this sort of format.' Similar puzzles are also helping to power subscriptions at media organisations, with the New York Times placing word logic games such as Wordle, Strands and Connections front and centre on its app. Jonathan Knight, head of games at the New York Times, said puzzles created a shared endeavour for players of all experience and standards. 'We make daily puzzles where the solution is the same, whether you started playing Wordle this week, or whether you started playing two years ago,' he added. He said: 'We have a very successful news quiz, but the reason it's not part of NYT Games is because it's just a test of knowledge. In a bunch of our games, you should be able to work them out, even if you don't know all of the solutions.' There could be further to take the idea. Knight said the New York Times was already thinking about a new puzzle that dispensed with words altogether. 'One in particular we're testing right now is a new logic puzzle and it's not language-based at all,' he said. 'We're interested in logic puzzles right now that don't require that you have a mastery of language in any way.' Dean said that there was clearly potential for a quizzing mash-up with reality TV. 'Reality shows like The Traitors are immensely popular at the moment, so I don't think it will be long until we see a show that's a reality/quiz crossover. I think it's refreshing as well to see that quizshows are becoming accessible to as many people as possible.' But for those who still enjoy the pure knowledge recall of the pub quiz, fear not. Dean, Knight and Allen all saw a permanent place for trivia-based tests, with shows such as Jeopardy! and Mastermind enduring. Knight's team is thinking about novel formats, while Allen said it only took a fresh twist to inspire a new type of trivia-based show. 'If somebody stumbles across a format that just works for whatever reason, you'll see every channel desperately trying to find a similar idea,' she said. 'At the moment, I'm seeing a lot of short-form, app-based things. People like quick wins, especially when you start to look at generation Alpha and generation Z. They're not watching TV in the same way. There is huge amounts of innovation in all technology at the moment.' And for those wondering, Tchaikovsky wrote the 1812 Overture, the most southerly EU capital is Nicosia, Cyprus, and the last FA Cup final goal at the old Wembley was scored by Chelsea's Roberto Di Matteo. As for the opening brain teaser, the answer is 50 – because 'fifty' has five letters, and five times 10 is 50. Can you answers these traditional quiz questions from days gone by?By Matthew Weaver 1 Who was the first heir to the English throne to have the title the Prince of Wales? 2 What is the name of the first English daily newspaper? 3 Which bird appeared on the farthing from 1937-56? 4 Who escaped from the Staats Model School in Pretoria? 5 What is the famous pass between India and Afghanistan? 6 What is the name of a triangle with two equal sides in length? 7 How many sharps are in the key of G major? 8 Which Nobel Peace prize winner was assassinated at a military parade in Egypt? 9 What does a binnacle protect on a ship? 10 Who invented dynamite? 11 What name is given to a fruit cake covered with marzipan traditionally associated with Easter? 12 What is the common name of the wild flower Primula veris? Answers 1 Edward II 2 The Daily Courant 3 Wren 4 Winston Churchill 5 Khyber Pass 6 Isosceles triangle 7 One 8 Anwar Sadat 9 The compass 10 Alfred Nobel 11 Simnel cake 12 Cowslip
