Latest news with #JazzFestival
CTV News
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- CTV News
JazzYYC gearing up for summer festival
Numerous performers are coming to Calgary for the JazzYYC Summer Festival, which runs June 23-29 at venues throughout the city. As the temperature warms up, more and more festivals are staged in Calgary, and among the first this year is the JazzYYC Summer Festival. 'We want to give a nice, wide sampling of the styles of jazz,' JazzYYC artistic director Kodi Hutchinson told CTV News. Opening the festival on June 23 at Studio Bell is Grammy-nominated Artemis, an all-female quintet. 'It's led by a Canadian – Renee Rosnes, born in Saskatchewan, raised in Vancouver – and considered one of the greatest jazz piano players on the planet,' Hutchinson said. Taking the stage at the Bella Concert Hall on June 25 is Mike Stern. 'When you talk about living greats on the jazz guitar, a lot of people will mention Pat Metheny, they'll mention John Schofield or they'll mention Mike Stern. He's one of the big three. He is amazing,' Hutchinson said. The JazzYYC Summer Festival runs from June 23 to 29.
Cosmopolitan
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Cosmopolitan
An Honest Review of Château l'Hospitalet Hotel in France
Last summer, my BFF and I hit the South of France together for a once-in-a-lifetime stay at Château l'Hospitalet, a five-star hotel in Narbonne, France, during its annual Jazz Festival. Our four days at the iconic estate consisted of wine, wine tastings, a wine festival, and (unsurprisingly) some wine headaches. But hear me out: I would absolutely grunt through double the hangovers just to have a few more hours at this property, dancing under the disco-ball-lined treetops to live music all night long. It's gonna be pretty damn hard to top our experience. Every moment at Château l'Hospitalet was epic—from the vibrant energy of the Jazz Festival to the breathtaking views of the vineyards and incredible people we met from all over the world. Our stay was a non-stop celebration, and by the time it was over, we still weren't ready to leave. If you want a little taste of what we experienced, keep reading. I'm giving you a full review of the hotel and all the best things to do while you're there, below. BOOK A STAY After driving up the windy European roads, with vineyards extending as far as my eyes could see on either side, we reached the top of the hill where the charming Château l'Hospitalet hotel is perched. Immediately greeted by busy staff members preparing for night two of the hotel's 21st annual Jazz Festival, my friend and I gave each other a look, knowing that we were about to have a pretty incredible next few days. We walked into the lobby and were handed glasses of award-winning rosé made by Gérard Bertrand, the winemaker who owns the hotel (he's honestly a local celeb). From there, our bags were delivered to our room while we got a chance to explore the estate—complete with lush gardens, storybook views, and tranquil pools—before we got ready for the evening. For five nights in July, the hotel turns into a giant concert venue, bringing in people from around the world to watch top jazz artists perform. Guests can purchase tickets to attend whichever portion of the event they'd like (for example, you can go to a dinner, concert, or after-party), which makes it a great festival for all ages. We got to try out one of the Gala dinners, with an incredible menu curated by the hotel's chef and equally great wine pairings. Then, as the sun set after dinner, we made our way to the courtyard, where a giant stage was set up, and watched the singers. My favorite part? Every night has a different color theme, which makes everything look even more magical. The property is comprised of 41 rooms spread across the main property (the Château) and several private villas, with a pool overlooking the vineyards. We stayed on the second floor of the Château, in a luxurious two-story room with a comfy bed and a direct view of the main stage. The top level also had a dedicated loft area with a giant (giant!) jacuzzi prepped with everything you might need for a late-night, post-party relax session, like bubbles, jets, and wine. While the rooms are fabulous to unwind in, the estate was so beautiful that all we wanted to do was spend our time outdoors. During the days, when we weren't at the private beach club, l'Hospitalet Beach, my friend and I switched off between the main pool and the private pool at La Villa Soleilla, conveniently located next to Spa Soleilla. That's also where I got the most relaxing facial massage I've ever had, using products from my favorite French beauty brand, Biologique Recherche. (Case in point: I fell asleep mid-massage and woke up to glowing skin.) Though we didn't have time to use it, the property also has a great tennis court. As I mentioned, this wasn't a typical weekend at Château l'Hospitalet, so we ate all of our dinners outside at the Jazz Festival. That said, all meals were created by the hotel's head chef, Chef Laurent Chabert, at the on-site restaurant, L'Art de Vivre. Each course at the eatery is intended to pair perfectly with Gérard Bertrand's wines, and I must say the sommeliers and chefs succeeded. The dishes consisted mostly of seafood, cheeses, and local vegetables—all of which were so incredibly fresh. I'm not exaggerating when I say that my visit to Château l'Hospitalet was one of the top trips I've ever taken (and I travel a lot for work!). Though my friend and I are in our twenties and spent the majority of the time partying it up, I think the Jazz Festival would be an incredible experience for people of all ages. If you're looking for a summer event with fun themes, great company, and even better food and bev, I highly recommend visiting the hotel during the festival, in July. But if you're looking for a true R&R-type vacay, take advantage of the off-season or a casual summer weekend. If it isn't obvious, I will be making my return in the future—I haven't had enough of Château l'Hospitalet just yet.
CTV News
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Lenny Kravitz to play Halifax festival this summer
Lenny Kravitz performs during the second weekend of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival on Sunday, May 4th, 2025, at Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
‘Nothing an umbrella can't fix!': Folks enjoy final day of Lilac Festival despite gloomy skies
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) – Sunday marked the end to the 2025 Rochester Lilac Festival, and despite gray skies overhead and occasional rain showers, many families and friends were able to ring in memories before its finale. 'It's nice cozy weather, not too hot thankfully,' festival-goer Cameron Coleman said. 'Nothing an umbrella can't fix!' More than 500,000 guests were expected to check out the festival over its 10-day run, even enduring the questionable weather conditions throughout its final weekend. Tyler McElhaney and his two sons checked out the festival on Sunday, and although the event was nearing its end, they still had a memorable experience. 'It's our first time going, and I saw that it was happening this weekend,' McElhaney said. 'Saturday seemed a little too wet outside, so we decided to do it Sunday.' Lilac Run and Timbits Trot on final day of Lilac Festival Anna Donner, who checked out the festival with Coleman, also experienced the festival for the first time on its final day. 'We have a lot of friends that come here, and we saw how beautiful it was on their social media posts. I never got a chance to go before today,' Donner said. Even though the Lilac Festival has concluded, there are still plenty of events planned in the Rochester area during the summer months. The next big event to be held in Rochester will be the Jazz Festival, scheduled to kick off on June 20th. A full list of events happening in our region this summer can be found here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Time Out
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Bo-Vine raises the steaks in Cape Town
For a city that's never short on good food, the menu of meaty options in central Cape Town has a new entry that's well worth a visit. In the space once home to the much-loved Savoy Cabbage, Bo-Vine in the City is the urban twin to the ever-popular Bo-Vine steakhouse in Camps Bay, a popular fixture on the seaside strip. At Heritage Square Bo-Vine brings a big-city contemporary elegance that's evident from the moment you're greeted at the door by the maître d'. Exposed brick walls hint at the centuries of history, while steel staircases and Bo-Vine's signature graffiti style of decor deliver a hit of contemporary cool. While it's a large restaurant, the tables are spread across the ground floor, a side room, and a mezzanine, so it never feels too busy. There's a choice of seating options on offer, but I've never met a banquette I didn't like. Happily, at Bo-Vine, there's plenty of choice, from cosy nooks to long rows of tables ideal for people-watching. And judging by the clientele in the week leading up to the Jazz Festival, this is a place to see and be seen as much as it is to dine. Bo-Vine takes their meat seriously, and while we ease into the evening over cocktails – Old Fashioned, perhaps a touch sweet; and an excellent Negroni – our waiter comes by to showcase what's on offer. Vegetarians, look away now, as you'll be presented with a wooden board of the day's cuts: hefty tomahawk, marbled wagyu, and sizeable T-bones, among others. And the waiters here are on point when it comes to the menu, so expect a mini-masterclass in all things steak, whether it's grain-fed versus grass, or wet aging versus dry. It's an extensive menu, with starters that include steakhouse classics – steak tartare, garlic mussels, and an excellent carpaccio – alongside a wide range of mostly meaty main courses. The peri-peri chicken, pressed lamb belly, and pork ribs all tempted. But, when in Rome, right? This is a steakhouse, so a steak it had to be. Rib-eye is my cut of choice, and here it was grilled – medium-rare – perfectly. Chips on the side, onion rings too because, well, why not, and a marrow bone for good measure. Cholesterol tests be damned. While beef is the headline act, Bo-Vine in the City also caters to pescatarians and plant-based diners with a handful of options that don't feel like afterthoughts. But, it's clearly not the real reason to come here. Desserts play to the classics, and while the chocolate fondant was exceptional, the Crème Brûlée missed the mark, with an overly set custard, piping hot bowl, and sugar not quite caramelised. As you might have guessed from the play on words in the name, Bo-Vine is as much about the beef as it is about wine. So alongside the compact collection of cocktails, you'll find a well-chosen wine list that doesn't rely on big-name brands for interest. Instead, you might be tempted by a Swartland Grenache or a cool-climate Syrah. Not sure where to start? The menu helpfully lists suggested wine pairings for each course. Set to become a Bree Street staple, Bo-Vine is open daily for lunch and dinner, making it the perfect destination for everything from a corporate lunch to date night.
