Latest news with #MaidenVoyage
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Yahoo
Angels Flight announces price hike as iconic L.A. railway becomes latest victim of inflation
Angels Flight Railway has endured sweeping changes over decades ferrying passengers up and down a hill in downtown Los Angeles — but even it isn't immune to the pressures of inflation. The iconic funicular railway has announced that fares will increase from $1.00 to $1.50 starting June 1 to keep pace with the rising cost of insurance, maintenance and labor. A souvenir round trip will be available for $3 and L.A. Metro TAP Card users can continue to ride at half price. This is the first price increase since 2017 and officials say they do not anticipate another being necessary for the foreseeable future. "Angels Flight is not just a mode of transportation — it's a living piece of Los Angeles history,' Hal Bastian, president of the nonprofit Angels Flight Railway Foundation, said in a statement. "This fare change will allow us to continue serving our community while maintaining the safety and heritage of the world's shortest railway." Read more: Angels Flight has had a long, bumpy track record The funicular has dealt with its fair share of maintenance and safety challenges over the years, most notably a terrifying 2001 accident when a car broke loose at the top of the track and plummeted to the bottom of the hill — killing an 83-year-old tourist from New Jersey and injuring seven others. Investigators later concluded that faulty mechanical systems, combined with weak oversight, were to blame. Tickets cost just a penny when the train opened in 1901, offering commuters a practical way to navigate the steep terrain between ritzy Bunker Hill housing and downtown Los Angeles offices. The railway carried about 4,000 passengers daily before shutting down in 1969 when Bunker Hill's historic housing was razed to make way for skyscrapers. The railway reopened in 1996, half a block from its original location, to offer tourists and residents the opportunity to sample a unique piece of L.A. history. Tickets to ride the revived Angels Flight between Hill Street and California Plaza cost 25 cents then. Read more: Maiden Voyage : Historic Angels Flight Railway Reopens to Public With Plenty of Revelry and a Wisp of Nostalgia However, the railway shut down once again following the 2001 incident. It took nine years to get the troubled train back in commission and it continued to be plagued by problems. Angels Flight closed temporarily in 2011 due to wear on the cars' tires. Two years later, the railway was shut down indefinitely following a derailment that September, with no injuries reported, and a subsequent safety report by the National Transportation Safety Board. The funicular returned to the limelight in 2016, when Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone rode it for the film "La La Land." A year later, it reopened to the public with new safety standards in place. Since then, no significant issues have been reported. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Arabian Post
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Arabian Post
Abu Dhabi's Etihad Arena Resonates with Jazz Luminaries in Global Celebration
A constellation of jazz virtuosos illuminated Abu Dhabi's Etihad Arena on April 30, marking the culmination of the 14th International Jazz Day. The event, orchestrated by UNESCO and the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz, showcased a tapestry of performances that underscored jazz's enduring global resonance. Herbie Hancock, the event's artistic director, led a diverse ensemble of musicians from 14 countries. The concert featured luminaries such as Dee Dee Bridgewater, John McLaughlin, Dianne Reeves, and Marcus Miller, each bringing their unique flair to the stage. Hosted by Academy Award-winning actor Jeremy Irons, the evening was a testament to jazz's unifying power. The program commenced with Hancock's introspective rendition of 'Maiden Voyage,' setting a contemplative tone. A standout moment was the duet between Parisian pianist Hélène Mercier and Beijing's A Bu, who delivered a stirring interpretation of Gershwin's 'Rhapsody in Blue,' blending classical precision with jazz improvisation. Arturo Sandoval, David Sánchez, and Danilo Pérez paid homage to Dizzy Gillespie with a spirited performance of 'Tin Tin Deo,' while José James infused The Rolling Stones' 'Miss You' with soulful nuances. The finale, a collective rendition of John Lennon's 'Imagine,' encapsulated the evening's ethos of unity and hope, resonating deeply with the international audience. Earlier in the day, the Opening Ceremony at Qasr Al Watan, the presidential palace, featured addresses by Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism, and UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Culture Ernesto Ottone. The ceremony highlighted the UAE's commitment to cultural dialogue and the arts. Beyond the main concert, Abu Dhabi hosted a series of educational and outreach programs. Institutions like Berklee Abu Dhabi, Bait Al Oud, and the Cultural Foundation facilitated workshops and performances, engaging both youth and seasoned musicians. A notable collaboration with the Culture Summit Abu Dhabi included a panel discussion featuring Hancock and Financial Times CEO John Ridding, exploring jazz's role in contemporary culture. See also Dubai to Build 1.4km Bridge Linking Bur Dubai and Dubai Islands This year's International Jazz Day was observed in over 190 countries, with thousands of events celebrating the genre's rich heritage and its capacity to foster cross-cultural understanding. UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay emphasized the day's significance, stating, 'This edition highlights the city's rich tapestry of creativity and cultural heritage while showcasing jazz's ability to connect communities and promote dialogue and peace across continents.'
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Jazz icon Herbie Hancock will play Orpheum Theatre
Jazz icon Herbie Hancock is returning to the Twin Cities. The 84-year-old pianist, composer, and bandleader will alight at the Orpheum Theatre in downtown Minneapolis Oct. 22. Hancock is one of the most influential jazz musicians alive today, with a career that has spanned more than six decades. He's been a singular voice throughout that career, which includes playing on revered albums like Hank Mobley's The Turnaround! in 1965 and Wayne Shorter's Speak No Evil in 1966, releasing records like 1965's Maiden Voyage and 1973's Head Hunters that shook the jazz world, and winning more than a dozen Grammys, including Album of the Year and Best Contemporary Jazz Album in 2008 for River: The Joni Letters. Though, his list of accomplishments is better suited to a book-length list of accolades. (We've already left out his Oscar, his work with the Miles Davis Quintet, his score for Michelangelo Antonioni's Blow-Up...) Tickets to see the jazz legend go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 4.
The Guardian
21-02-2025
- The Guardian
Experience: I sailed alone around the world aged 16
I was born during my parents' sea voyage around the world, and always wanted to make the trip myself. They divorced when I was six, and I grew up living with my dad in the shipyard in the Netherlands where he worked. I started planning my trip around the world at the age of eight after reading the American sailor Tania Aebi's memoir, Maiden Voyage. I began saving and sailing as much as possible to make that dream a reality. I was a confident sailor: at 13, I crossed the Channel solo. I didn't tell my parents before I left; I didn't think they'd say yes. Then I started seriously thinking about sailing around the world. My parents weren't thrilled with the idea, but after talking to them about it, they became supportive – they knew I'd do it anyway, and thought it would be better to make it as safe as possible. After learning of my plans, social services got involved to take away my dad's custody and prevent my voyage. It became a controversial news story. It was worse than any storm I've faced – people left comments online saying: 'I hope you die.' It was a real shock. After eight court cases, my dad got custody back. Soon after, at 14, I set off on my 38ft sailboat, Guppy, in August 2010. My dad sailed with me from the Netherlands to Gibraltar – that way we could test the boat together and make sure I had her well under control. As I set off from Gibraltar on my own, my emotions were one big jumble. I felt on top of the world and at the same time so nervous I couldn't sleep for the first few days. Spotting my first destination on the horizon – the Canary Islands – felt amazing. I knew then I'd keep going: across the Atlantic and the Pacific, through the Torres Strait on to the Indian Ocean, around South Africa and on to my finish line, Sint Maarten in the Caribbean. Things weren't always easy. Crossing the North Atlantic, there were periods of no wind but also big swells – waves coming from a distance – so I was rolling back and forth, my sails tearing apart. I also had to dodge reefs and ships. The longest I slept at sea was 50 minutes at a time. Your body adjusts. I was never really afraid: I had trained with my dad to keep my emotions under control. I completed my education through distance learning. Over the course of the voyage, I made more than 20 stops. Sometimes I stayed just a day or two; rarely, I'd stay for a couple of weeks if my boat needed repairs. For money, I worked odd jobs along the way. At sea I washed with saltwater, and cleaned my clothes with fresh water ashore. Rain was my best friend – it meant free laundry and showering. For fun, I'd play guitar, read and write. I didn't really get lonely, even though I was only with other people when I was invited to dinner on their boats, or went ashore. During stops, I'd take my laptop to a cafe, Skype with my family and update my blog about my voyage. I had a long-distance radio so I could send messages to my dad while I was at sea. I'm not much of a cook, and one of the toughest things about the journey was the food. I ended up eating a lot of pasta, rice, canned food and pancakes – before finding out, three months in, that one really needs veggies. One of my favourite places was French Polynesia. It's beautiful, with big mountains, blue water, coral reefs and a community-oriented culture. Meeting people from around the world made the journey special and put life into perspective for me. Sign up to Inside Saturday The only way to get a look behind the scenes of the Saturday magazine. Sign up to get the inside story from our top writers as well as all the must-read articles and columns, delivered to your inbox every weekend. after newsletter promotion I crossed the finish line in Sint Maarten in January 2012, 518 days after leaving Gibraltar, becoming, at 16, the youngest person to circumnavigate the globe alone. I wasn't sad it was over; I felt ready to start my life. By then, I'd already decided to sail on to Whangārei, New Zealand, where I was born. I made New Zealand my home and now run a sailing foundation for teenagers with my partner, Sander. Sailing requires communication and teamwork, so it teaches children from all backgrounds to accept one other. Now I have two kids, I understand how brave my parents were to back me. My dad barely slept while I was away. If my kids wanted to do the same thing, I wouldn't be happy – but I'd try to find a way to support them. As told to Clea Skopeliti Do you have an experience to share? Email experience@
