Archive for June, 2009

See Original Cool Summer Music Tours Guide


See Wall St. Journal article on these Artists on Tour This Summer

Dave Matthews Band: One of everyone’s favorite summer music experiences is seeing the Dave Matthews Band, which has been touring every summer for well over a decade, and pulled in $39 million in ticket sales last year. Matthews especially enjoys summer tours since he can bring his wife and three children along with him. “I know where all the children’s museums are,” he says. He takes the opportunity to add on extra days for family vacations at his favorite places, including the Columbia River system near the Gorge Amphitheatre in Washington, and the Great Lakes area of New York near the Darien Lake Performing Arts Center. This summer you can get your own fill of the popular band at any of their shows starting June 12 at Saratoga Springs, NY through October 3 at Austin City Limits, TX. Tickets run from $40 to $70.

Taylor Swift: Teen country queen Taylor Swift is no stranger to the summer tour rounds; she’s been opening for acts including Rascall Flatts and Kenny Chesney since she was just 16 years old. Now at 19 she’s headlining her own summer tour for the first time, including shows at Cheyenne Frontier Days in Wyoming and Madison Square Garden. Her show is sure to entertain as it includes lots of theatrical elements, eight costume changes and even a man-made downpour. The concert runs through October 10, when she closes in Minneapolis, MN. The artist feels strongly about giving back to her fans for all their support, so she made it a point to keep concert ticket prices low, between $20 and $80.

The Killers: Thousands of fans will head out this summer to see the rock/disco phenom The Killers, and especially its popular frontman, Brandon Flowers. The band got its summer started early, playing at the Pinkpop Festival in Landgraaf, Netherlands with Bruce Springsteen. Their tour officially kicks off on June 22 in Oslo, Norway and wraps up September 28 in Phoenix. Tickets are $35-$75.

The Yeah Yeah Yeahs: Alternative rockers and their fans are always on the lookout for the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and their fashion-forward front lady, Karen O. Her goals for this summer’s tour? Finding just the right unique but practical outfits, mostly from Midwest thrift stores. No more patent leather for this rocker, who says “It’s as breathable as Saran wrap.” Look for the Yeah Yeah Yeahs in your town this summer – they kick it off June 12 at Bonaroo and wrap it up overseas on August 30 at the Reading Festival in England. Tickets will run you just $20-$30.

Phoenix: The breakout stars of this year’s summer concert circuit are undoubtedly the members of Versailles-based band Phoenix, thanks to the successful release of its fourth studio album, “Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix” and a performance on Saturday Night Live in April. The band kicked off its lengthy international tour on June 12, 2009 at Bonaroo and will play a number of US venues before hitting the European festival circuit and ending November 10 in Cophenhagen. Tickets are an affordable $18-$25.

TV on the Radio: “Last year, Brooklyn-based indie rock group TV on the Radio released its third album in 8 years, “Dear Science” to significant critical acclaim. This year they are taking it on the road for their biggest tour of their career. They kicked if off at one of the summer’s greatest music festivals, Bonaroo, and are expanding their horizons to include international venues such as Finland’s Ankkarock festival. The band is hoping that these festivals will help them build the groundwork for future international tours. Another notable place you can catch them: Aug. 29 at Outside Lands, San Francisco. Ticket prices to see them this summer range from $20-$30.

Steve Earle: Steve Earle wasn’t always a fan of music festivals, especially since his solo concerts often can’t compete with noise flooding in from neighboring stages, but lately he’s come to embrace them as an affordable way to share his music on the road. This summer he’ll be timing his tour route to coincide with the best fly-fishing throughout the western states, including two late-summer concerts in Montana. He sometimes relies on fans to help him, saying, “Some people come to the bus after the show and let me know where the fish are.” He’ll be on the road all summer, concluding October 5 in Sacramento, CA. Ticket prices will range from $25-$35.

Lyle Lovett: Veteran musician Lyle Lovett loves to hit the road in summer, not only to perform for picnic-ing families or surrounding boaters (at the wasn’t Humphreys Concerts By the Bay in San Diego), but also to swing by the homes of fellow champion horse-trainers to share tips and stories. Lovett takes advantage of the large summer gigs to really beef up his band, which includes more than a dozen musicians and singers. One of his largest concerts this summer will be at The Red Rocks Amphitheatre, a craggy mountain venue outside Denver, with a capacity of 10,000. His tour kicks off July 14 in Memphis, TN and runs through August 13, when he ends in Phoenix. Tickets will cost you anywhere between $15 and $100.

Joshua Redman: American jazz musician Joshua Redman has been spending recent summers filling the gap left by dwindling European Jazz Festivals by playing gigs throughout the continent. This summer you can catch this tenor saxophone player kicking off his season at the Montreal International Jazz Festival, which begins June 30 and will also feature Stevie Wonder, Dave Brubeck and Madeleine Peyroux. He tends to play a number of scheduled concerts (three this year) but also engages in a number of late-night jam sessions after. He’ll wrap up his year October 18 in Manheim, Germany. You may be lucky enough to see him for free at some of this concerts, but tickets can run up to $48.

Emanuel Ax: For classical music fans, summer is also a time for outdoor music festivals, including Emanuel Ax, renowned pianist, who normally travels without roadies or a tour bus. He does note some difficulties with summer concerts – the weather. A humid night with a chill in the air, especially, “conspires to make everything feel slippery and horrible,” he says. Ax kicks things off June 17 in Toronto and is on the road for a month, ending up at the Mostly Mozart Festival in New York on August 18. Tickets cost $30-100.

Check this guide out at: Ruba – Best 4th of July Fireworks

The Fourth of July is everyone’s favorite summer holiday, and with good reason! What more could you ask for than a day dedicated to grilling out, hanging out with friends, and watching fireworks? We’ll leave the food and friends part to you, but if you’re looking to catch one of the best fireworks shows in the country, Ruba’s visual travel guide editors recommend you head to one of these Top 10 Fourth of July Fireworks Shows:

10. Seattle. Over 50,000 locals congregate each year for Washington Mutual’s fireworks display, hosted on Lake Union and including 2,300 shells with 10,000 effects over 21 minutes.

9. Disneyworld. Disney theme parks are renowned for their elaborate fireworks shows and the Fourth of July celebration is no exception. The 13-minute show features shells launched from 24 different locations, including from the clock tower of Cinderella’s Castle, surrounding spectators on Main Street.

8. Idaho Falls. The Idaho Falls annual Melaleuca Freedom Celebration includes not only the largest fireworks display west of the Mississippi River, but also a buffet dinner and a performance by the Idaho Falls Symphony Orchestra. The fireworks themselves are coordinated by computers to ensure each shell is in tune with the patriotic music.

7. New Orleans. New Orleans’ fireworks display takes on the spirit of the city in the aptly named “Go 4th on the River Dueling Fireworks Extravaganza.” Two barges duel it out, painting a stunning story in the sky over the city while revelers party below.

6. Atlantic City. Make reservations in advanced for the Fourth of July celebration in Atlantic City, jointly-hosted by the casinos in town and spared no expense. The best places to views are, of course, from the beach or the boardwalk and the fireworks displays have in prior years been orchestrated by Fireworks by Grucci, the same company that creates shows for the Olympics and a number of presidential inaugurations.

5. Philadelphia. It’s only fitting that Philadelphia, the birthplace of the country, as well as the site of the first Independence Day celebration, (hosted on Thomas Jefferson’s lawn) is now the home of an annual weeklong celebration full of family friendly activities and concluding with the Sounds of Liberty Concert and the giant fireworks display over the city. The Liberty Bell and the Independence Mall both have extended hours during the week-long festival.

4. New York City. More than 3 million people show up each year for the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks, which incorporates more than 40,000 shells synchronized across six barges in the East River. The show is a full 30 minutes long and is the second largest fireworks display of the year, falling short only to Thunder over Louisville, which launches the Kentucky Derby each year.

3. Lake Tahoe. The Lake Tahoe fireworks show is one of the largest shows west of the Mississippi and is especially stunning as the fireworks are launched from a barge on the lake making them visible from any surrounding spot on the lake. The fireworks are made even more brilliant thanks to the stunning reflections of Lake Tahoe’s clear, deep waters. Music is synchronized on the local radio station as locals and visitors crowd on the shores and even on boats in the lake to enjoy the show.

2. Boston. Boston hosts more than just a fireworks show each fourth of July, much more in fact. The annual Boston Harborfest, which kicks off each year at the end of June and goes through the holiday, is home to over 200 patriotic-themed events, including the Chowderfest and the reading of the Declaration of Independence. The highlight is, of course, the free Boston Pops Concert and Fireworks Display, which takes pyrotechnicians two weeks to load and wire. 500,000 people turn up each year on the Charles River to watch the tens of thousands of fireworks burst in time with the orchestra and culminating in the 1812 Overturn by Tchaikovsky.

1. Washington D.C. At under 20 minutes, the fireworks show in Washington, DC is relatively short, especially compared to the rest of our list. But the patriotic fervor that surrounds the capitol city on this day makes this the most exciting place to celebrate Independence Day. The fireworks are launched right in the center of the National Mall and designed to burst just above the Washington Monument. Be sure to catch the National Independence Day Parade earlier in the day

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Top Public Golf Courses in the USA:

Check out this guide at: Ruba – Best Public Golf Courses

1. Pebble Beach Golf Links – Pebble Beach, CA. Par: 72. Yardage: 6,828. One of the most iconic golf resorts in the USA, Pebble Beach Resorts is home to four courses, each offering a unique heritage, breathtaking beauty, and a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Pebble Beach Golf Links has been recognized by Golf Digest as the #1 Best Public Golf Course. In 2001 it was recognized as the Best Golf Course in the US, the first public course ever to win. You’ll pay dearly to treat Dad: greens fees are a staggering $495 (plus $35 cart fee for non-resort guests). But the entire course hugs the coastline, offering breath-taking views throughout your round. The course was designed by Jack Neville and Douglas Grant and opened on February 22, 1919. You can bring the whole family as the resort offers plenty for golfers and non-golfers alike.
   
2. Pacific Dunes – Bandon, OR. Par: 71. Yardage: 6,633. Bandon Dunes offers a hint of golf as it was when it first started in Scotland, on wind-swept, rugged land near the coast. Pacific Dunes was the second of the four courses at Bandon Dunes to open, in July, 2001. The creators describe it as more “discovered” than “built” as the fairways and natural sand bunkers were left largely unchanged from their natural placements. It’s a short but challenging course, especially when the wind picks up. And be prepared to walk – carts are only allowed for medical reasons.
   
3. Whistling Straights – Haven, WI. Par: 71. Yardage: 7,514. Whistling Straights is one of two courses associated with the nearby American Club, owned by Kohler. The Course is reminiscent of the UK and Ireland’s seaside courses and will be home to the 2010 and 2015 PGA Championships, as well as the 2020 Ryder Cup. The course was designed by Peter & Alice Dye and lies along 2 miles of Lake Michigan coastline. Green fees are pretty steep at $340 ($230 for Twilight).
   
4. The Ocean Course – Kiawah Island, SC. Par: 72. Yardage: 7,356. The Ocean Course is the most famous course at the Kiawah Island Golf Resort, near Charleson, SC, which opened in 1974, and known in part for its presence in the 2001 film, Bagger Vance. You and Dad will have a view of the Atlantic Ocean, but beware of the winds. The course is even a Certified Audobon Cooperative Sanctuary. This is one of the toughest resort courses to play, so if you’re up for a challenge, go for it.
   
5. Bethpage State Park (Black Course) – Farmingdale, NY. Par: 71. Yardage: 7,366. The Black course is the most difficult of Bethpage State Park’s five eighteen-hole golf courses. It was the first publicly owned and operated course to host the US Open in 2002 and thanks to the great crowd turnout that year, it will again host the tournament this year. The course will re-open after the Open on June 27. If you’re a NY resident it costs just $60 to play this course on weekends. Non-residents are charged $120. To make a tee time, your driver’s license has to be in their online system. Or, you can simply walk up – but be warned, this means you’ll have to spend the night in the parking lot the night before!
6. Pinehurst Resort & Country Club (No. 2) – Pinehurst, NC. Par: 72. Yardage: 7,335. Pinehurst Resort is home to eight golf courses, the first of which opened in 1898. It was initially founded by soda fountain magnate James Walker Tufts. The most famous course at Pinehurst (No. 2) was completed in 1907 and was designed by Donald Ross. This year, you can treat Dad to a special Father’s Day event at the Pinehurst Resort, including 3 nights accomdation, 2 rounds of golf (one at No. 4 and one at No. 2) with caddies, VIP room access during the US Open, and special dinners and receptions with James Dodson and the McRae Family. Prices for the weekend’s festivities start at $750 per person. Once you’re done golfing, there’s plenty of other activities including tennis, pools, and a spa.
   
7. Bandon Dunes – Bandon, OR. Par: 72. Yardage: 6,732. Bandon Dunes is the second course on this list from the Bandon Dunes Golf complex. It was the first course constructed in the complex, completed in 1999. It features shrub-lined fairways and numerous pot bunkers. Like the Pacific Dunes course, Bandon Dunes is in the Scottish style and is very mentally challenging, especially when the winds pick up. During the summer, a day guest pays $275 to play while a resort guest pays $220.
   
8. Shadow Creek – North Las Vegas, NV. Par: 72. Yardage: 7560. Shadow Creek Golf Course was built by well-known casino mogul Steve Wynn in 1989 out of a barren desert flatland. The course is well-lined by trees and berms, giving a sense of privacy in the expansive surrounding desert. It was once one of the most exclusive golf courses in the world, with tee times by invitation only and spaced one hour apart. Today all guests of any MGM/Mirage property are welcome to play, but with greens fees at $500, the course rarely sees more than a couple dozen rounds each day. Like the rest of Las Vegas, playing the Shadow Creek course is a dramatic experience, with each several holes grouped together in a certain “theme” and no hole visible from any other. If you can afford to cough up the greens fees, it’s a definite Father’s Day experience!
9. TPC Sawgrass (Player’s Stadium Course) – Ponte Vedra Beach, FL. Par: 72. Yardage: 7,215. Known as the inaugural Tournament Players Club (TPC) course and home of the PGA Tour Headquarters, the TPC Sawgrass is home to The Players Championship and is known for being one of the toughest courses in the world including the (in)famous par-3 hole 17. Like all TPC courses, the TPC at Sawgrass is built in a stadium style to accommodate lots of fans. You can book packages including 2-nights and 2 rounds of golf starting at $495 per person, making it a pricey but fantastic experience.
   
10. Arcadia Bluffs – Arcadia, MI. Par: 72. Yardage: 7,298. Built overlooking Lake Michigan, Arcadia Bluffs golf course is open daily from mid-April to mid-November to the public and players are given GPS-equipped golf carts or caddies upon request. The restaurant is only open from May through September, but this won’t affect Father’s Day plans. At $180 per round in the summer ($110 Twilight) this is a doable Father’s day gift, but not a course you’d want to play every day. While you’re there, try out the full practice range or the separate short game facility.
    

Top Fishing Experiences in the USA:

Check out this guide at: Ruba – Best Fishing Experiences

1. King Salmon Fishing in Alaska. Known for its gorgeous landscape and stunning wildlife experiences, Alaska is the #1 fishing destination for anglers around the world. There are tons of guided fishing companies to take you out on the Kenai and Kasilof Rivers to experience the thrill of battling the famous king salmon which can reach 70lb. Fishing in the shadow of Alaka’s towering Denali (Mt. McKinley) is surely an experience your dad will appreciate for years to come (and not just for the salmon he’ll ship home!)
   
2. Salt Water Fishing in the Florida Keys. Fishing & the Florida Keys go together like PB & J. The only tough decision here is whether you want to hire a backcountry guide to take you through the mangrove shorelines and Keys wilderness or if you’d prefer to hop aboard a Party Boat or Deep Sea Charter for some offshore angling. Common catches in the Keys flats include barracuda, bonefish, permit, redfish, shark and tarpon and backcountry fishing in Florida Bay gives you a shot at black drum, ladyfish, pompano, redfish, sheepshead, shark, snapper, snook, tarpon and trout. If you and Dad are more novice fishermen, the party boats are the perfect choice. Depending on where your boat anchors, you’ll have the chance to reel in mackerel, grouper, yellowtail, sheepshead, sailfish, wahoo, big king mackerel, or even blacktip sharks. If your dad is a more serious fisherman, however, consider the deep sea charters which offer the chance to fish at depths of 1,000 to 2,000 feet. Seasoned anglers will delight in the challenge of the hunt for dolphin (the fish), marlin, sailfish, shark, tuna and wahoo. Whatever you choose, you and Dad are pretty much guaranteed to have a great time.
   
3. Bass Fishing in Lake Dixon, San Diego. There are almost as many opinions on the best place for bass fishing as there are anglers. Lake Dixon, however, has been known for years as one of the best spots to bring in record-breaking size bass. In the last three years this tiny (70-acre) southern California reservoir has produced three bass in the Top 16 of all time, in part thanks to its 80-foot depth. This is a strict catch & release lake, based on a general understanding between the local fishermen, so no matter how big the fish you wrangle, be sure to throw it back.
   
4. Trout Fishing in Yellowstone. Yellowstone’s unique geolandscape results in abundant flowing water and highly prolific hatches, making it the ideal spot to angle for fly fishing trout. As master angler Craig Mathews says, “There is no best time to fish Yellowstone,” thanks to the above factors. At over 2.2 million acres, you are sure to find the perfect spot in the park for you and Dad. Visit this site for more information about the Park Service’s regulations and environmental preservation efforts: http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/fishing.htm.
   
5. Walleye Fishing in Minnesota. As a result of its over 10,000 lakes, many of which are moderately deep with gravel, rock or sandy bottoms, and its colder waters, Minnesota enjoys a large and healthy walleye population in a number of its larger and smaller lakes. All About Fishing’s website offers the following advice for fishing Minnesota walleye this summer: “Fish shallow in the mornings and evenings and move deeper as the sun rises. Use lures that mimic crawfish as this is a favorite food of the walleye. Follow points and rocky or gravel structure deeper until you establish the proper depth.” For much more on fishing in Minnesota, visit their website: http://www.aa-fishing.com/mn/minnesota-fishing.html.
6. Tarpon Adventures in Galveston, Texas. For the best in Texas saltwater fishing, try Capt. Jim Leavelle’s tarpon adventures and wade fishing in the Baffin Bay Complex. Capt. Leavelle is deeply involved with Texas’ fishing industry and even founded the first online booking service, www.texasfishpros.com At just $600 for up to 4 people for a full day of fishing, this is an affordable chance to fish tarpon with one of Texas’ most renowned fishermen.http://www.tarponadventures.com/ .
   
7. Rogue River Wilderness Adventures in Oregon. Rogue River Wilderness offers some of the most exciting whitewater rafting, fishing, and hiking trips in Oregon, complete with fantastic wildlife viewing and trips catered to all groups and skill levels. The company was even named one of National Geographic’s Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth for 2009. The company specializes in salmon and steelhead fishing and offers custom single and multi-day trips. The highly trained guides provide all the gear you’ll need and the luxurious boats are designed for just two fishermen and a guide each. The trips offer the perfect mix of outdoors adventure and exceptional service and quality, including delicious meals and well-appointed wilderness lodges each night. You’ll learn a variety of the best techniques for salmon and steelhead fishing including fly fishing, spin casting, bait bouncing, and pulling plugs. There’s a choice of trips to fit your wallet and time constraints so check the website for the perfect trip for you and your dad this Father’s Day: http://www.wildrogue.com/rogue-river-fishing-trips.htm.
8. Fishing in Maine. Maine’s gorgeous and varied landscape, ranging from rugged coastlines to tranquil forests, makes it a top place for every angler to visit. There is a variety of fishing in the state, so part of what will determine your trip is the time of year you visit. If you’re going for Father’s Day, try relatively unknown Pierce Pond in Somerset County for good-sized brook trout and salmon. Allagash Lake is one of Maine’s best fly fishing sites, but be prepared to trek into a rugged and primitive spot 80 miles north of Greenville to enjoy it. One of the best places in Maine to fish is without a doubt Kennebec River, home to one of the largest wild trout populations in the eastern United States. Whatever you decide, you’re sure to enjoy fishing in the Pine Tree state and your dad will too.
   

What are your favorite places to take Dad? Let us know! And whatever you decide to do for Father’s Day, be sure to thank Dad for all he’s done for you!