The Magic is back (well, it never really leaves)

What do Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, Meryl Streep, Twiggy, Tom Waits, and the Dubrovnik Summer Festival all have in common? 

They turn 65 this year; and they’re better than ever!  From 10 July through 25 August, the old city will once again be alive with Theatre, Music, and Art; and I mean “alive” literally. 

My first visit to Dubrovnik, all those years ago, was during the Festival.  At the time I was living in Croatia.  Prior to my arrival, the locals said the ancient Dalmatian seaport would enchant me with its beauty, excitement, and “magic.” That was kind of tough for a Robbery Detective (which I was a the time) to swallow.  I mean magic, really?   So, my first night there, I attended a play performed on the street behind St. Blaises Church – and the locals were right.

The stage was the city and it seemed everyone was an actor. Through windows, through shop doors, from down the street, and from the seat next to you players emerged and disappeared.  You weren’t simply watching a performance you were living it.  For an opening night, this was a tough act to follow.   But the next evening’s entertainment and all that followed proved just as worthy.  So, I’m please to announce, the beauty, the excitement, and, yes, the “magic" will all be present at the 65^th Dubrovnik Summer Festival.

The 2014 line-up will include:

• Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet directed by Jagoš Marković.  The play will be staged in the Renaissance summer residence of the Skočibuha family at Boninovo.

• Krešimir Dolenčić chose Držić Square to be the venue for his staging of Marin Držić's best-known and most frequently performed comedy, Uncle Maroje.

• Shakespeare's Timon of Athens, directed by Georgij Paro, will take place in two locations: the Dubrovnik Centre for Advanced Academic Studies Atrium and Gradac Park.

• At Bošković Square, the choreographer Valentina Turcu and theatre director Leo Mujić will stage the Neo-Baroque ballet Les Liasons Dangereuses (set to music by George F. Handel, J. S. Bach, Antonio Vivaldi and other Baroque masters).

 

Photo by Michael Mischley

• The Summer Festival's closing concert, in front of St Blaise's Church, will feature the Zagreb Philharmonic conducted by Ivo Lipanović, and the world famous baritone Željko Lučić.  

• In collaboration with Zagreb's Museum of Arts and Crafts, and supported by the Sponza State Archives and the Dubrovnik Museums, the exhibition entitled Creators of Memory – Photographers and Designers at the Dubrovnik Summer Festival will be opened in two venues: Sponza Palace and Rector's Palace.

• Award winning films (both national and international) will be featured during the Summer Festival's film programme. Screenings will take place at the open-air cinemas Jadran and Slavica.

• The folklore programme will include traditional performances by the Linđo and Lado folklore ensembles.

For more information, please contact:

Karla Labaš

PR & Marketing Department

M. 00385 (0)91 323 42 56

E. karla.labas@dubrovnik-festival.hr

T. 00385 (0)20 326 111

F. 020 326 113

www.dubrovnik-festival.hr

My Favorite Places to find Old Stuff

by Elena Coates

One of my favorite shopping strips in Houston is 19^th Street in The Heights.  It’s as funky, eclectic, and fashionable as it is grungy, old-school, and fun.  Like the rest of Houston it evolves at a rapid rate, but there are some mainstay operations where I love to find Old Stuff.  Not just antiques, but a wide range of well-loved possessions waiting to find their way into my life and home.

Adding to 19^th Street’s allure for me is the fact that I live in the Heights, and it is accessible to me both as a pedestrian and a trike-rider.  For drivers, there is plenty of parking and all of it is free.

First stop traveling East to West is Chippendale Eastlake Antiques.  

This unassuming corner shop has presented me with an antique oak secretary desk and a

 to-die-for Bergere chair and ottoman that I 

saw through the window AND BOUGHT THE 

SAME DAY (although pink rose upholstery is 

currently being replaced). There are also 

brooches galore in this place, and some 

lovely antique rings.  But the thing I would 

send people here for is the silver - gobs of it, 

from flatware to serving pieces to tea & 

coffee sets, I have never seen so much in 

one place to choose from.  Even if you 

never buy a fork, you’ve already feasted 

your eyes.

A bit farther down the street on the North side is Grace Hart & Company Antiques.  This store is huge and eclectic, and it’s hard to categorize their inventory since they have so many vendors.  They have lots of dishes and furniture; memorabilia; usually some great
lamp bases; and an abundance of tabletop  

disco balls.  By the time you read this I will have acquired one.  I bought a triple-strand of Barbara Bush-style faux pearls here, in mint condition.  They were a gift for my husband, but that’s another story.  It’s such a big place, it’s likely you’ll see something that you like, or, at least, that makes you chuckle.

Moving away from Stuff and on to Clothing, I present you with the Mecca of re-sale garments & accessories: Retropolis.  So small and insignificant, the door is easy to overlook – it appears to belong to the store next door.  But when you enter you will realize you have stumbled upon a veritable clown car of vintage fashion:  a two-story treasure trove of clothing and accessories that looks like your fairy godmother’s attic.  From cowboy boots to handbags and jewelry, cabana wear to sequins, you will find it here.  I have bought vintage Caribbean shirts for my husband, a custom-made suede-fringed cowboy shirt, and a silk halter dress by Ralph Lauren.  And all for prices that will boggle your mind.  You will look fabulous!

Now that you’re outfitted, proceed westward to our final stop for Old Stuff, Gen’s Antiques.  Like the others, this store has much to offer; but the surprise is the enormous room in The Way Back, stocked with mid-century furniture: dressers, vanities, sideboards, wardrobes, and more – all at exceptional prices.  And they will give you a FAIR DEAL.  While I was there buying this flawless Avalon Yalton dresser, there was another dealer eyeballing the goods.  He buys them at Gen’s and sells them at a 500% markup at his place.  “For real.” 

So enjoy your search for Old Stuff on 19^th Street – and watch this space for my favorite places on 19^th to buy New Stuff! 

Getting Baltimore (before it gets you)

Unfortunately, when someone says, “I’m from Baltimore,” the usual reaction is, “poor devil.”  And certainly the trepidation was reinforced by the recent hit television series The Wire. Though hailed by critics as the greatest TV drama of all time, the rampant violence in each episode didn’t exactly promote the town’s newest nickname, Charm City; it rather kept alive the old one, Mobtown. So why, you may very well ask, do I think Baltimore is the “bee’s knees?”  

After burning Washington, DC to the ground, the British tried to do the same to Baltimore – no such luck.  The boys at Fort McHenry kicked the English Redcoats back down the Patapsco River and then wrote a song about it (the Star Spangled Banner).  Sure, that was a long time ago but the Brits haven’t been back. And if that’s not enough to allay your fears, how about these laws that are still on the books.  In Baltimore it’s illegal to mistreat oysters, one can’t throw hay bales from a second-story window, and if there was ever a concern about someone walking into a movie with a lion, forget about it, it’s against the law.  And here are some more reasons why I love calling B-more home.

Right in the heart of the city is Spirits of Mount Vernon, my one and only wine shop.  There is: wine by the glass while shopping, Friday night complimentary (meaning free) wine tastings, local entertainment, friendly crowds, wonderful views, and a great big dog!

My friend Vickie and her team are extremely knowledgeable and always helpful. Spirits isn’t pretentious because it’s a part of the neighborhood and after one visit, you will be too. 

Need a haircut, no better place than the Beatnik Barber Shop.  Situated on 241 West Read Street, it’s the place where, “cool never goes out of style.”  My friend Pete and his cutting crew always deliver a quality styling.  But if you have to wait, and it’s never long, there’s great music and always conversation ranging from, “the rise in housing prices to the decline of western civilization.”

And how about your pet?  We all treat our critters like family members and so do the folks at Fisher Pet Care.  My friend Matt and his team have been providing top-notch professional pet care since 2002.  Dog walking, cat care, overnight pet sitting, feeding, transporting, hell they’ll even water the plants and pick-up your mail – these guys are great!

Of course, no travel journal is complete without restaurant and bar recommendations; so, here are three of my favorites, by neighborhoods, worth visiting.

Mount Vernon

Located at the corner of Cathedral & Eager Streets, City Cafe delivers a scrumptious regionally inspired American cuisine, in a setting best described as a “friendly city vibe.”  

It’s unquestionably a neighborhood place but with dishes like their Wild Rock Fish and Steak Frites it’s no mystery why folks come here from all over town.  From a quick cup of coffee to a delicious full meal, the City Cafe never lets you down.

Fells Point

Sitting on the old waterfront in Fells Point is my favorite spot for brunch, Kooper’s Tavern.  Voted Best Brunch by Baltimore’s City Paper, start with a Shana’s Famous Bloody Mary and follow it with an Omelet (Crab or Creole or Juke Joint “Mojo” Pulled Pork).  If you’re leaning more carnivore Kooper’s award winning burger selection packs a wallop.  Everything from the Kooper’s B.Y.O.B. to the Elvis got the Blues is first rate!

Hampden

Located right on The Avenue (36^th Street) in Hampden, 13.5% Wine Bar truly makes city life a treat.  We love to sip a glass and chat while watching the life in Hampden parade by the glass storefront.  Though there are more than 40 wines by the glass and 200 bottle selections, you’re never overwhelmed.  The staff is knowledgeable, helpful and, most of all, friendly.  If a beer or cocktail is more in order, no worries, 13.5% is well stocked.  And yes, there is a complete menu from the tasty Fig & Onion Baked Cheese Dip to delicious Grilled pork Chop with braised cabbage and coffee scented squash.

This effort barely scratches the surface of Baltimore’s being and all it has to offer.  With so many neighborhoods and so many different cultures, just going across town is an international experience.  Believe me, if the strength and warmth of Baltimore's character doesn't enchant you, its eccentricity will.