As I begin this account of my self-described “royal tour” of Scandinavia, allow me to say from the outset that if European royals or their biographies hold little or no interest to you, then you might just want to skip ahead to the “48 Hours in” section of these chronicles where I relay my findings about some of the buzziest places in each of the three destinations I visited on my recent whirlwind trek through the northernmost corner of Europe. There you’ll find swell accommodations, notable bars and restaurants, and some of the fun, not-to-be missed attractions that I consider to be the natural accoutrements of any great itinerary.

However, if you are in fact, a royal-watcher like myself, then do follow along from start to finish as my travels showcase the aforementioned, as well as the glittering worlds and occasionally extraordinary histories of Scandinavia’s seemingly ever more popular royals.

Before we get started, a bit of housekeeping.

Why Scandinavia, you ask? Well to be honest this whole exploration was primarily inspired by several books I read about Queen Victoria. I became intrigued not only by the astoundingly good and politically savvy marriages the progeny of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert made within Europe’s royal circles, but also by how broad and lasting were the legacies of those alliances as evidenced by Scandinavia’s most notable royals, all of whom are direct descendants of that noble and fondly remembered regent.

Secondarily, I was fascinated by the progressive nature and interconnectedness of the monarchies of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, all of which embody a modernity that has not only solidified their public appeal but seems certain to guarantee the longevity of these centuries old institutions in an age where some might think them superfluous. Just as my travels had taken me to Buckingham Palace and Palacio Real de Madrid, I wanted to see firsthand the seats of power of Scandinavia’s monarchs and make my own assessments.

So with my brief settled and my bags packed I set off on my royal tour. My mode of travel throughout was not a royal carriage but instead Norwegian Air because it occurred me that me that if I was going to tour Scandinavia, I should probably patronize a Scandinavian airline, particularly one that has frequently been ranked among the best in Europe, nay the world. As modern and efficient as the royal dynasties on my itinerary, Norwegian Airlines and their multiple daily flights between Europe’s capital cities made the mechanics of my travel an unexpected delight (particularly given that travel anywhere can be so trying these days).

Now, that said, on to my first stop – Copenhagen.

The Royal Story

The Danish Monarchy can be traced back more than a thousand years, but for the purposes of this narrative, the House of Glücksborg, which acceded to the throne in 1853 is of most interest because it was this royal house that produced Christian IX who would become known as the “father-in-law” of modern European royalty. While Christian IX’s daughter Princess Alexandra married the future King Edward VII of England (son of Queen Victoria), another of his daughters, Princess Dagmar married Czar Alexander III of Russia and his son Prince Vilhelm became King of Greece. I think one might call that a trifecta wouldn’t you say?

Moreover, the House of Glücksborg still reigns today, marking 150 years on the Danish throne in 2013. The current sovereign, Her Majesty Queen Margrethe, is Christian IX’s great great granddaughter and the first Danish sovereign to accede to the throne since the Act of Succession of 27 March 1953 which gave women the right of succession to the Danish throne.

The Next Generation

When I speak of the progressive nature of the Scandinavia’s monarchies, I am largely referring to the willingness of the scions of those monarchies to break with the tradition of marrying other royals. The result has been a series of Cinderella-esque unions (including one Cinderfella-esque alliance if we are to be precise) that have captivated the world and added a patina of modernity to the notion of monarchy as a whole.

Case in point, HRH The Crown Prince Frederik André Henrik Christian, Prince of Denmark, Count of Monpezat, who in 2004 married Mary Elizabeth Donaldson, the youngest daughter of a professor of applied mathematics, transforming her from a commoner to Mary Elizabeth, Her Royal Highness Crown Princess, Crown Princess of Denmark, Countess of Monpezat. (For the record, that would be approximately seven years before Prince William, Duke of Cambridge would marry his commoner Duchess, the former Kate Middleton, to much fanfare).

Modern Connections

Her Majesty Queen Anne-Marie, one of Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II’s two sisters, and consort of King Konstsantin II of Greece is also the mother of HRH Crown Prince Pavlos who is married to HRH Crown Princess Marie-Chantel.

Now here’s where it all gets interesting.

HRH Crown Princess Marie-Chantal is one of the famed Miller sisters, American duty-free shopping heiresses, whose lives, exalted marriages and splashy weddings dominated society pages during the 1990’s and still make copy today. While Princess Marie-Chantal’s elder sister, Pia, married oil heir, Christopher Getty, grandson of J. Paul Getty, one of the wealthiest men in the world, her younger sister, Alexandra became Her Serene Highness Princess Alexandra of Fürstenberg upon her marriage to Prince Alexander von Fürstenburg, son of fashion icon Diane von Fürstenberg and Prince Egon von Fürstenberg, great-grandson of Fiat founder Giovanni Agnelli and stepson of media billionaire Barry Diller (von Fürstenberg’s current husband for those who might not have been paying attention).

In addition to managing a family of five with her husband Prince Pavlos, Princess Marie-Chantel is also the creator of the exquisite Marie Chantel line of children’s clothing, which is often seen worn by young Princess Estelle of Sweden, among other royally pampered tots. Yet another subtle connection between the royal families.

Speaking of connections, it is also worthy of note that Prince William, Duke of Cambridge is godfather to Prince Constantine, the eldest son of Prince Pavlos and Princess Marie-Chantel, while Prince Pavlos’ father, King Constantine ll is one of Princes William’s godfathers in addition to being first cousin once removed to Prince Phillip, consort of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the brother to Her Majesty Queen Sofia of Spain.

Now if you have to read that twice, don’t feel bad because untangling the connections of the European royals can be quite the complicated affair.

The Palace: Amalienborg

Located near the harbor and the popular Nyhavn district, Amalienborg, the Danish Royal Seat, is in actuality a complex consisting of four palaces built around an octagonal courtyard. Originally designed for four prominent noblemen, A.G. Moltke, Christian Frederik Levetzau, Joachim Brockdorf and Severin Løvenskiold, who committed themselves to building identical palaces, designed by the court architect of the day, Nicolai Eigtved, the four palaces that now make up Amalienborg became the royal residence after Christiansborg Palace burned down in 1794 and they continue to be so today.

HM The Queen and HRH Prince Henrik use Christian IX’s Palace, or Schack’s Palace, as their winter residence. The Crown Prince Couple’s private residence is located in Frederik VIII’s Palace which was built during 1750-60 for Baron Joachim Brockdorff. Christian VIII’s Palace, or Levetzau’s Palace, built in the period 1750-60 for Privy Councillor Christian Frederik Levetzau is current residence for Prince Joachim, Princess Marie and Princess Benedikte. And Christian VII’s Palace which previously belonged to the Lord High Steward AG Moltke is today Her Majesty The Queen’s representative palace.

48 Hours in Copenhagen

Day 1

As mentioned about, my Scandinavian adventure fittingly began with a flight out of JFK airport on Norwegian Air. In the spirt of full disclosure, I must admit to being bit of a doubting Thomas when it comes to ‘discount’ airlines which have left me sorely disappointed in the past. However, from online check-in, which, by design, takes place just two hours before departure via text message, to a seamless, if somewhat DIY, baggage check process at the airport, to the ultra-simplified classes of service (Economy or Premium only), Norwegian is the picture of modernity in air travel.

Courtesy of the carrier, I tucked into a Premium Class seat on a Dreamliner 787 that would rival a traditional business class seat on any other airline, and my journey to the Land of the Midnight Sun began in earnest. After a quick stop in Stockholm and a change of planes in Stockholm, I touched down in Copenhagen (CPH) in the late afternoon where I collected my luggage and hopped on a train conveniently located in Terminal 3 at the airport.  Approximately 13 minutes later, I exited the train at the Copenhagen Central Station (København H) in the thriving heart of the city.

Fortunately, the description of the distance between the station and my accommodations turned out not to be the slightest bit exaggerated and I found myself in the lobby of the Absalon Hotel checking in within less than 10 minutes, despite getting lost as I am still wont to do though I readily admit to a steadfast dependence upon Google Maps. Located in the Vesterbro district, which is considered an up-and-coming area (think the Meatpacking District in Manhattan a decade ago or DTLA in Los Angeles and the Tendernob in San Francisco, today), the recently renovated Absalon Hotel is a 4-star property defined by oodles of charm, strikingly contemporary design and magnificent wallops of color throughout, all wrapped up in a lovely 19^th-century building.

Conveniently located near just about every noteworthy attraction in central Copenhagen, the Absalon is ideally suited to exploring all the city has to offer. Pure luxury enthusiasts, should however be advised that, though perfectly comfortable, the Absalon is not a 5-star property. If over-the-top luxe is what you seek on your visit to Copenhagen, you can expect such at the Nimb Hotel or the Hotel d’Angleterre (at about three times the price, of course).

Food was high on my agenda in Copenhagen as Danish cuisine has soared to new heights thanks to the likes of chefs like René Redzepi, whose two-Michelin star restaurant, Noma, has set the culinary world alight. Sadly, Noma was closed during my stay (and I hardly think I might have gotten reservations on such short notice had it been open) but thankfully there are many more exciting eateries to explore in the city.

Once settled into my cozy room overlooking the courtyard at the Absalon, I showered, changed and headed out to dinner in Copenhagen’s Meatpacking District, just a 10-minute or so walk from the hotel. Along my short walk I passed gaggles of hipster youth lolling about on benches and park-like grassy knolls as well as a bevy of restaurants with terraces filled to overflowing with locals enjoying the fine weather on that particular evening.

My dining choice for my first night in Copenhagen was Fiskebaren, a Michelin Bib Gourmand awarded upscale casual “Fish Bar” (which is literally the translation of Fiskebaren) specializing in locally sourced produce, sustainable fish and shellfish and fine wine. Upon arrival, I was greeted by yards of patrons lounging at outdoor tables enjoying the last rays of the evening sun and a lively bar buzzing with activity. Since I was flying solo this trip, I chose to eat at the bar, rather than my usually preferred corner table, so that I might soak up some of the energy that lit up the place while sampling its wares.

While the expert bartender/sommelier poured a flight of wines more impressive than many I have enjoyed at much fussier dining spots, I sampled oysters from Normandy (a personal long-time favorite), smoked mussels served with seaweed, pickled burnt onion and rye, poached Turbot plucked from the Western Shores of Scandinavia and a range of other menu items that celebrated seafood in every way imaginable. At the end of the meal, I was absolutely bowled over by the place and went back the next day to tell the chef just that in person. But I’m getting ahead of myself here.

After dinner, I strolled around the Meatpacking District peering into the windows of closed art galleries, checking out other nearby restaurants like WarPigs, a pub specializing in beer and American BBQ that caught my eye, and scanning the Vesterbro club scene, which is alive and pumping well into the wee hours of the morning. Tempted as I was to explore longer, I had a prior date to meet a friend at Ruby (Ruby Cocktail Chronicles), a swank, elegantly appointed cocktail bar in Central Copenhagen. Reminiscent of a private, members-only club right down to its location in an unmarked townhouse dating back to 1740, once inside this chic watering hole, I found a handsome bar attended by knowledgeable mixologists, an outdoor patio and a host of warmly lit seating areas kitted out with leather wing back chairs and intimate booths perfect for schmoozing or simply enjoying a smart cocktail. Speaking of which, distinguished by a menu of first-class cocktails [Note: Try the 866, a blend of Campari, pink grapefruit juice and dill aquavit from Danish micro-distiller, Den Ny Sprit- fabric, which is served in a salt-rimmed glass and an unexpected delight], Ruby’s was the perfect nightcap to the first of my two evenings in Copenhagen, and a most excellent way to mark the launch of my weeklong sojourn in Scandinavia.

Day 2

The second half of my 48 hours in Copenhagen began with breakfast at the Absalon and a quick uber ride over to Amalienborg Palace (see above) where I joined swarms of other tourists to watch the changing of the guard. Buckingham Palace it is not, but this little show of sorts is full of pomp and a tremendous treat to behold in addition to being a great reason, for royal watchers like myself, to visit the royal residences of Her Majesty the Queen, The Crown Prince and The Crown Princess. The weather was especially glorious on the day I visited the palace, so I made a quick pivot and took a walk along the harbor, where I enjoyed a spectacular view of the stunning Copenhagen Opera House, which sits on the shore directly across from the Palace, and is considered to be one of the most expensive and best equipped opera houses in the world. I didn’t have the chance to step inside, but from the exterior I can certainly say the structure lived up to its hype.

Next, I headed for the quays of Nyhavn, a collection of colorful and charming houses that formed the heart of a vibrant commercial port centuries ago. Today theses houses, some of which date back as far as 1681, are home to a different variety of vibrancy supplied by a host of cafés and restaurants that are among the most popular destinations in the city. Since I would be back in Nyhavn for dinner that evening, I didn’t linger long there in the afternoon, instead opting to head back over to Vesterbro and the Meatpacking District for lunch at Kul.

Unlike, the other meals I would enjoy in Copenhagen, there was something particularly rustic about my lunch at Kul. Perhaps it was global influences and unique flavors apparent in the hearty menu choices which include the likes of Oysters with Jamón Ibérico Foam and Yuzu, Steak Tartare with Hoisin, Mushrooms, Crispy Chicken Skin and Horseradish, and Glazed Pork Rib with Blueberry Cream and Rhubarb/Herb Salad, among other delectable options. Perhaps it was the funky décor of the restaurant and its people watching-perfect location in Copenhagen’s hipster haven. Perhaps it was the sublimely paired wine selection and the sun at my back that accompanied my meal. Or perhaps (and this is what I believe to be most likely the case), it was some magical combination of all of the above that made the meal such a standout but suffice it to say, Kul ranks among the ‘musts’ for any foodie visiting Copenhagen.

Sated by a memorable lunch, I spent the balance of the afternoon meandering around Tivoli Gardens, the famed amusement park that lies at the heartbeat of Copenhagen. I admit, that I was initially a trifle uncertain that an amusement park would make for a worthwhile visit in spite of all the advice I had received to the contrary.  But, then again, this is no ordinary amusement park. Since opening in 1843, the park has attracted fans from all over the world, among them Hans Christian Anderson and Walt Disney. Yes, there are rides and carousels and typical amusement park fare but there are also gorgeous gardens, rolling lawns made for picturesque picnicking, restaurants of all varieties and, of course, the Nimb Hotel, arguably home to Copenhagen’s most desirable luxury accommodations. When the time came for me to leave, I found myself wishing I had allotted more time to spend at Tivoli (something I will most certainly do on my next trip).

The final stop on my whirlwind tour of Copenhagen was a visit to Chef Bo Bech’s, Geist, one of those sparkling restaurants along Nyhavn that I referenced earlier. A cluster of soigné rooms with contemporary furnishings that would seem equally at home in London, Paris, New York or Los Angeles provide the backdrop for Chef Bech’s eccentric menu of mouthwatering small plates. Think Salted and Dried Breast of Young Duck with Cherries, Lobster with Strawberries and Beach Roses, Zucchini Flowers Stuffed with Cod and Spring Onions with Sorrel and Jalapenos and you’ll start to formulate a picture and profile of the Geist experience. I said from the start that I had made it my goal to explore Danish cuisine on this trip and Geist sent me out on a high note to be sure.

After dinner I decided to spend my final evening hours strolling the streets of Copenhagen. I toddled along the quays of Nyhavn a bit, took a final turn past Tivoli Gardens, which was by then lit up like something out of a fairytale, and then meandered back to my hotel. Back inside the lobby of my hotel, I let out a little sight as I couldn’t help but think a new love affair between myself and Scandinavia was indeed budding.

Next stop Oslo.

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Lights! Camera! Action!

Like Hepburn and Tracy or, more contemporarily, Lawrence (Jennifer) and Cooper (Bradley), Tinseltown has enjoyed a long and fruitful alliance with our neighbors to the south. And, by neighbors, I am of course referring to Mexico, and more specifically to Puerto Vallarta, that cinematic hamlet on the Bay of Banderas that has long been a go to destination for filmmakers.

In fact, for more than seven decades, Hollywood and Puerto Vallarta have acted as confederates, working in tandem to produce memorable moments on the silver screen that have earned a bevy of accolades and yielded millions at the box office. To say that the relationship has been symbiotic would be an understatement, but to understand how each has often been cast in a starring role in the narratives of the other, is by far the more fascinating tale.

Then

Just to put Hollywood’s role in changing the face of Puerto Vallarta into perspective, it could quite easily be argued (and it often is), that Hollywood, perhaps more than anything else, put the destination on the map.

Consider this. In his best-selling book, Blow: How a Small-Town Boy Made $100 Million with the Medellin Cocaine Cartel And Lost It, Bruce Porter recounts tht until after World War II Puerto Vallarta was a coastal town so sleepy in nature, that it was not even accessible by car thanks to the rushing waters of the Cuale River which split the town down the center.

But a funny thing happened when Tennessee Williams vacationed in Mexico in 1940.

Williams’ visit spawned the short story, The Night of the Iguana, which was published in 1948. The short story gave birth to the film of the same name for which Puerto Vallarta was chosen as the location. The production, directed by John Huston and starring Ava Gardner, Deborah Kerr and Richard Burton, brought masses of paparazzi to the quiet (and largely unknown) seaside town during filming thanks in no small part to the immense star power of Burton and his famous soon-to-be new wife, Elizabeth Taylor. The film went on to become the 10^th highest grossing film of 1964 and earn four Academy Award nominations (winning one), while John Huston so fell in love with Puerto Vallarta that he bought a house in town, as did the über glamorous Liz and Dick, whose Hollywood pals followed them like pigs to a gin-filled trough of good times.

More Hollywood productions followed. They included everything from films like Predator, Kill Bill Vol. 2 and Limitless, in which Puerto Vallarta featured prominently, to the Johnny Depp-starrer Blow, based on Bruce Porter’s book set against the backdrop of the destination in the 1960’s and 70’s.

And the rest is, as they say, history. The fledgling beachside town of 12,500 grew up and was transformed into a metropolis by the sea boasting a permanent population of over 250,000 and more than four million visitors a year.

Hooray for Hollywood!

Now

After decades of providing a backdrop for Hollywood blockbusters, Puerto Vallarta is now enjoying its just desserts. An off the beaten path fishing village no more, the city is coursing with an ebullient life and starring role of its own that seamlessly meshes classic charm with fresh appeal.

The Malecon, the once sparsely populated stretch of beach that was Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton’s introduction to Puerto Vallarta, is now a thriving hub of nightlife in the city. Behind it, narrow cobblestone streets laced with historic buildings housing vendors and business of all sorts dominate the landscape. However, at the well-trafficked boardwalk’s heart, lies scores of distinctive bars and restaurants, like the popular Cuban chain, Bodeguita del Medio, where the mojitos are perfection and the music is authentic and sensual. Likewise, open air nightclubs in this popular zone overflow with tequila swilling tourists who embrace the free-wheeling, devil may care abandon that Liz and Dick inspired when the latter bought the former a breathtaking local spread with stunning views as a gift for her 32^nd birthday.

Speaking of that breathtaking local spread, Liz and Dick’s former home is today a spectacularly luxurious, nine-suite boutique hotel called Casa Kimberly (as so named by its previous owners}. Be warned however that, though Dame Elizabeth reportedly left all her belongings in the home when it was sold after Richard Burton’s death, not much history of the Burton-Taylor misalliance remains to be found in the remodeled environs of the property – beyond the sheer glamour that is its calling card. There is, of course, the bridge between the two “houses” that comprise the property, which Burton had built so that he and Elizabeth could cross the street and visit one another without having to face the prying eyes and lenses of the paparazzi.  And then there is the Elizabeth Taylor Suite which boasts, among other amenities, the original pink jacuzzi installed for the lady of the house herself. But beyond that, it’s just acres of Swarovski crystal chandeliers and marble peering out over the city that has since grown up around the property.

That said, In a fitting homage to La La Land’s reigning former first couple, with its dramatic views of Banderas Bay from every room, grand furnishings as ornate as anything one might expect to find in a superbly appointed Italian palazzo, private patios adjoining each suite, stellar open air rooftop restaurant and intimate but substantially extensive spa, Casa Kimberly sets a new standard for luxury  in a town that in recent years has come to be more often associated with discount package deals than grandeur and pampering. Which explains why something tells me, Liz and Dick would approve.

Elsewhere, the bay city’s once quiet outer boundaries continue to heat up with modern, sexy new nightlife and dining options. On Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio, for instance, you’ll find the ultra-contemporary De Santos, a restaurant cum happening bar/nightspot perfect for mingling with the locals where Mediterranean small plates dominate the menu. And just up the street, on the same boulevard in the “hotel zone”, you’ll find swank new nightclubs like La Strana paired with chic eateries like La Madalena, both of which attract a well-heeled, upscale crowd, not of the variety that would find wearing their underwear as a headdress either fashionable or acceptable.

As for the haunts of the current generation of celebrities who continue to rediscover and flirt with Puerto Vallarta, look no further than the exclusive enclave of Punta Mita, located at the northern end of Banderas Bay, which has attracted the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow, Charlie Sheen, Lady Gaga and Kim Kardashian in recent years. Popular stops for the A-list include the St. Regis and the Four Seasons, where they can be seen in their natural habitat frolicking in the sand.

Finally, one other not to be missed hidden treasure is the Grand Miramar, an exclusive all-suite luxury hotel located high above the Malecon in Conchas Chinas, an exclusive neighborhood that might best be described as the Beverly Hills of Puerto Vallarta. Perched on the highest point in PV, with sweeping views of the Bay. the Grand Miramar is an elegant escape within the confines of city made for escape. That it is a 20 – 30-minute drive from the more popular beaches and the heartbeat of the city is surprisingly a positive rather than a negative because, from its rooftop bar with unobstructed views of the shoreline, to its top-flight restaurant, in-house spa and excellently crafted cocktail menu, the Grand Miramar is more than self -sufficient in terms of meeting the needs of its demanding clientele. So much so that one might even imagine that this would be where Richard and Elizabeth might choose to live today if given their druthers. That is, of course, were Casa Kimberly not available.

All its Hollywood charms aside, perhaps the most endearing quality about Puerto Vallarta is not it’s celebrity-littered history or its swell new range of accommodations. It is instead the fact that it is still a destination where celebrities and mortals alike can let their hair down and just be. Viewed in this light, it’s not so much different from that tiny, scarcely visited fishing village whose natural sparkle first caught Hollywood’s attention all those many movies ago.

And that is a very good thing.

And scene!

Find out more about Puerto Vallarta at visitpuertovallarta.com.

Stay

Casa Kimberly
Calle Zaragoza 445
Puerto Vallarta
48300 Mexico
+52 322.222.1336
casakimberly.com

Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita México
Punta Mita, Bahía de Banderas
Nayarit
63734 Mexico
+52 329.291.6000
www.fourseasons.com/puntamita

Grand Miramar All Luxury Suites & Residences
Paseo de los Corales 139
Conchas Chinas
Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco
48390 Mexico
+52 322.226.2520
www.grandmiramar.com

St. Regis Punta Mita Resort
Carretera Federal 200
Punta De Mita, Nayarit
63734 Mexico
+52 329.291.5800
www.starwoodhotels.com/stregis

Eat

Bodeguita del Medio
Paseo Díaz Ordáz 858
Centro
Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco
48300 Mexico
+52 322.223.1585
www.labodeguitadelmedio.com.mx

De Santos
Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio 2485
Zona Hotelera Nte.
Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco
48333 Mexico
+52 322.221.0240

La Madalena
Avendia Francisco Medina Ascencio 2025,
Las Glorias
Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco
48333 Mexico
+52 322.245.1596
LaMadalenaPuertoVallarta

Play

Strana
Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio 2125
Zona Hotelera Las Glorias
Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco
48333 Mexico
+52 322.108.4358
www.strana.mx

To read this story on the Huffington Post, click here.

The post Puerto Vallarta: Through the Lens of Hollywood appeared first on .

“I’m not cool. I’m just honest.”

— Oleta Adams

There are a handful of singers who stride into the limelight and captivate audiences not with a catchy hook, a dizzying flurry of choreography or a parade of outlandish interviews and costumes. They instead stand on unadorned stages, without artifice or ego, enrapturing music lovers with the sheer breadth of their talent alone. Oleta Adams is one such singer.

Since her solo career took flight in 1990 with the platinum-selling global hit “Get Here”, Adams has enjoyed a burning under, somewhat underappreciated, degree of fame, buttressed by diehard music fans around the world. Enjoyed is the operative term here with respect to Adams’ career because the singer’s star has largely continued to shine for more than three decades on her own terms, without ever resorting to any of the music industry’s stereotypical, sparkle-inducing shenanigans.

In concert, Adams and Adams alone commands the stage where her rich contralto acts like a beacon summoning up every imaginable emotion from the greatest joy to the most heartbreaking sadness, irrespective of the genre of music to which it is applied. She is, like Nina Simone before her, a master interpreter of music and one can’t help but wonder if like Simone, the true depth of her talent will have to wait decades to earn its due.

Tonight, the indomitable Ms. Adams will take the stage for the first of two shows at the Smith Center for the Performing Arts in Las Vegas before continuing on with a string of tour dates in venues across the globe from New York and Chicago to Amsterdam and Belgrade. I sat down for a conversation with the powerhouse singer a few months back after a performance in Los Angeles. In her mellifluous speaking voice, which is, for the record, almost as entrancing as her singing voice, the petite diva talked frankly about remaining true to her gift, the travails of the music business, the challenge her own songs can sometimes present and singing her next chapter.

How do you account for such longevity in such a fickle business?

OA:     I think not doing trendy music is one of the things. I’m not willing to just keep working for someone else’s ideal. I actually have a purpose. I really have to have something to say or else I don’t want to do [the music].

[I think] the sound of my voice is also unique. It’s well oiled. It soothes people and makes them feel as if it is a healing balm. And I try to sing songs that have lasting meaning and songs that people can become invested in and discover for themselves. It’s more endearing that way.

It would be an understatement to say that you have a knack for what might be called the “anthemic”. While some artists create passing moments, you create lasting moments. Do you have a musical secret sauce so to speak?

OA:     Wow. It’s probably the way that I was mentored and trained. Because that was the most important thing – emotion. To give people something to think about and to latch onto. Something to build a little fire in their hearts, one way or another.

I wish you could have been standing beside me when I stepped off the stage to hear all the different stories. There are always stories. As an artist [and] as a composer my job is to identify with the audience and to say for them what they’re feeling – to articulate it – and that’s basically what I’m doing.

I’ve always said that when people are feeling bad, they don’t want to feel better right away. They want to hear someone say ‘I understand what you’re feeling’, and then they can get on with the healing. That’s what these songs do.

Speaking of healing, you’ve released eight albums but your first album, Circle of One, co-produced by Roland Orzabal of Tears for Fears, was a musical landmark that spawned quite a bit of healing during and after the Gulf War in large part due to your global hit “Get Here”. However, I understand that behind-the-scenes your second album was more challenging for you than your first on all fronts. Why?

OA:     My second album was received more warmly by the true fans. It had the really deep stuff on it. So for the true diehard fans that was their album.

But when we were looking for producers [for that album] there were some who did not want to produce me because they didn’t like the music. Which is fine. But I had still had a hit in Europe with “Window of Hope”.  [Record labels] try to push songs on you and then you have to go “No…no”.  So some of the songs on that record were pushed on me…mostly the ones I didn’t write.

The first single from that album, “I Just Had to Hear Your Voice”, is a personal favorite of mine but a little birdie told me that you won’t sing that song live anymore. Is that true?

OA:     I can’t hit those notes anymore. [Bursts into laughter] I had to lower it. [Laughs].

I do [still] sing that song but I have to pick certain times when I do it. I don’t want to do it and then disappoint everybody. It’s a hard song to sing. I love it and it’s such a big showstopper but honestly it’s a big song. There are several [of my songs] that are just so wonderful that I can’t really do right anymore and it hurts my heart that I can’t sing them.

That is so honest! I don’t think I’ve ever heard a singer cop to anything of the like before. Usually the response to that question is full-on bravado and everyone says ‘I sound better today than ever’ – which is almost never true, by the way.

OA:     I know. That’s the sad part and mostly women have more problems than guys. Guys can sing longer. Peabo [Bryson] I sing with on his Christmas things and he sounds very much the same as he’s always sounded and it’s just wonderful. He even smoked for many years and still sounds the same!

And I never smoked! [Laughs] But at 62 I have earned not hitting those notes anymore. [Laughs]. I have sung a long time and I hit a lot of big notes for a long time. [Laughs]

Does that thought ever make you think of putting down your microphone and exiting stage left for good?

OA:     Part of you wants to get out [of the business] before it all goes downhill and another part says there’s still a richness there – there’s still a story to tell and it just becomes a new chapter. You think of people like Tony Bennett … he’s like 90 or something and he’s still singing…not the same way…but it’s one of those situations where when you see him, he doesn’t have to sing a note and we stand up and give him an ovation because we know what he can do. He doesn’t have to prove a thing.

I still love singing. I think it’s a good career and I’m still doing different stuff today. So even though I can’t sing the way I used to, I am discovering so many more things.

You have a huge following in the Netherlands. Why do you think the Dutch connect to your music in a bigger way than other audiences?

OA:     I think the Dutch love music.

They’re so full of music – all kinds of music – their own folk music as well as their own pop and rock. They believe in celebrating life and they believe that music is it. They love soul music. And when I say soul music, I don’t mean the rhythm and blues of today, I mean old soul music like 70’s and before! [Laughs] The more soulful you get the more they like it.

And they also love jazz. And thank God they’re trying to keep it going and keep it alive because …hmmm [thinking]…isn’t it something that a music that was developed here in America – jazz music – this is where it was born but…

[Interrupting] It’s having trouble breathing here in America…

OA:     It’s having trouble breathing here. [Laughs] It’s on life support. It’s on a respirator! [Laughs]

Well thank God you’re on the road and performing in venues of all sizes across America and Europe over the next several months. How would you describe what people can expect to see on stage when they come to your upcoming shows?

OA:     We want to get more and more intimate [so] I love the [current 4-piece] combination. The more people you put on stage, the less room you have to be creative on the spot and then everybody has to play a part. Here, we’re playing parts but we’re also breathing together and becoming one. It’s one body with many members and I love that.

We want to expand it and we want to record it, but I just have to stop being lazy. [Laughs]

Lazy is hardly a word anyone other than the singer herself might use to describe Oleta Adams these days. In addition to her current slate of gigs, Adams has a new album of inspirational songs tentatively titled, Place of Peace, in the works. And for the record, despite her modesty on the subject, her voice is not only in fine form, it is as hauntingly stirring as ever.

Follow Oleta Adams on the road on Facebook @TheOfficialOletaAdams.

The post The Singer’s Singer: On the Road with Oleta Adams appeared first on .

Weddings are, by nature, stressful affairs. And destination weddings, for all the beauty and majesty that accompanies them, only add another level of anxiety to what should generally count among the most memorable days in the lives of the event’s central players. That said, a modicum of forethought can go a long way toward reducing the aforementioned tensions on the big day. Or at least so says photographer Joshua Kogan, an award-winning photographer whose work includes editorial spreads in magazines such as Glamour, Town & Country, Marie Claire, GQ, Conde Nast Sport & Style and Harper’s Bazaar, as well as collaborations with Giorgio Armani, Valentino, Billabong Surfwear, Dolce & Gabbana, and countless couples on the brink of wedded bliss across the globe.

A native of Maryland, Kogan grew up surrounded by art. His mother, an amateur photographer herself, and father shared a passion for photography that inspired them to collect the work of photographers like Man Ray, Diane Arbus, Jean Henri Lartigue and Brett Weston. And it was these black and white photographs by some of the 20th century’s most influential portraiture photographers that lined the walls of Joshua’s childhood home.

With photography in his blood, Kogan sought to capture the color of life beyond his experience. After University he traveled the globe working as a top male model, backpacked around India with a disco dancing 7th generation Hindu Priest, spent a decade living and working as a fashion and beauty photographer in Paris, and devoted five years to photographing the behind-the-scenes world of iconic designer Valentino’s Paris fashion shows and private parties. Perhaps, most important of all, Joshua has traveled to the exotic, far-flung reaches of the planet with his camera in tow, documenting the textures and humanity of the world.

With that in mind, to say that Joshua Kogan knows a thing or two about taking a great photo would be something of an understatement. So who better to ask for tips on planning a destination wedding than someone who has mastered the world and photographed destination weddings in many of its more glorious corners? Here Joshua shares his ten top tips for planning the ultimate destination wedding:

1. Choose the right team

If you’re working with a solid team of professionals (planner, photographer, caterer, etc…) and assuming you’ve done your homework and organization in advance, once you get to the destination just let go and have a great time! If the bride and groom are having a blast so is everyone else and that will show in the pictures.

Your photographer needs to have the energy, personality and communication style that’s going to vibe well with you, your family and your guests. In addition to stunning wedding day images you want your photographer to capture landscapes, architecture, interiors, wildlife, fauna, cuisine, portraits of locals, candids of you and your guests having fun around the pool, on the beach, at meals and on excursions. Look for a storyteller who sees and captures the connection between people, places, objects and emotions. An experienced photographer with a strong body of travel, lifestyle, portraiture and documentary imagery, in addition to solid wedding work, is best suited to tell the nuanced story of your destination wedding weekend.

2. Take advantage of the best lighting for your ceremony:

If you’re getting married outside under the open sky, plan your ceremony to begin a couple of hours before sunset when the light is soft, warm, and flattering. An experienced wedding photographer knows how to get the very best out of almost any lighting condition, so if your blue sky wedding ends up cloudy and gray, just keep smiling and go with it, the pictures should still be great. On a recent summer destination wedding in Newport, Rhode Island, we had clouds and rain all day. Luckily for us, the venue was able to quickly transform what would have been a very wet lawn wedding into what became an ethereal wedding under the canopy of the venue’s reception tent. Whatever venue you choose, make sure they have a Plan B in case of bad weather.

3. Plan enough time for the family photos

The best family portraits can take 45-90 minutes depending on the size of the family, the number of variations requested by the couple, and weather conditions like wind. Consider taking the family photos after the first look and before the wedding. This way, once the ceremony is over, your family can join the rest of your guests at the reception while you take 30 minutes or so for a cocktail and some fun newlywed portraits. Some couples, for religious or cultural reasons, cannot see one another before the ceremony. These couples should plan time for the family photos just after the ceremony, which means the ceremony should be early enough to allow enough daylight for those images. No matter how well you plan it, there is always an Uncle Mike or Cousin Susie who didn’t get the memo and is nowhere to be found at the appointed time. For this reason, it’s always wise to designate one family member from each family to make sure everyone is where they need to be when they need to be there.

4. Plan an engagement photography session

If logistics allow, plan an engagement session with your photographer months before your wedding. Engagement shoots allow a couple and their photographer a chance to get to know one another before the pressures of the big day. It’s also a great way for you and your fiancé to get comfortable in front of the camera.

5. Book your photographer for the entire weekend

You’re planning a rehearsal dinner, the wedding day, a day after brunch and a host of fun activities and outings for you and your guests over 3-4 days. Make sure your photographer is there to capture these events as well as unique environmental images which define the setting and story of your special weekend. On a recent destination wedding in Tulum, the bride and groom planned a surprise event for their guests; zip-lining in the jungle at night. It was a challenge following them and their guests through the zip-line course with camera, flash, and extra lenses but these images really added something special to their destination wedding album.

6. Up do’s for I do’s

I always advise my brides to wear their hair up for their wedding day. Up-do’s will not only accentuate your neck and shoulder lines, most importantly, with your hair away from your face you become photographable from almost every angle. This is especially true for outdoor weddings where wind can be an issue. This also comes into play on the dance floor at the reception where down-do’s will inevitably be in your face for the majority of your Fred Astaire and Ginger Roberts moments.

I realize a lot of brides want to wear their hair down because they find it more modern and sexy. I get it. But having edited hundreds of thousands of wedding images over the years I promise you that an up-do will insure many (many) more usable images for your wedding edit and album. If you really want to let your hair down, try to do it after the first dance, toasts and cake cutting. This way you’ll insure that most of the day’s key moments are captured without hair in your face.

7. Check the almanac

When planning your destination wedding always make sure to check the almanac for seasonal weather trends. This is especially true if you’ve decided on a tropical destination. They call it the rainy season for good reason. Some years ago, in late July, I was on a 4-day destination wedding in Mexico. It rained in biblical proportions all 4 days. It rained so much that the power went out and part of the hillside above the hotel collapsed causing several guests’ rooms to get flooded. Luckily the hotel had a restaurant large enough to hold the ceremony in. No sun. No beach. No activities. No internet. Unhappy guests. Plan ahead and NEVER assume you’ll get lucky working against the odds.

8. Hidden Treasures

You can have your ceremony at the resort or you can venture further for a truly unique experience. Working with a local coordinator or producer can introduce many interesting and little known location options for a destination wedding couple. Whether it’s a cliff-side that looks out over the vastness of the ocean or a candle and torch-lit forgotten fortress, be creative and make your wedding unique s time, budget, and logistics allow. Make sure you see the best options an hour or two before sunset so you have an idea how the light and backgrounds will look on the big day. Take photos and video for your photographer to get his or her input.

9. Look up

I can’t tell you how many weddings I’ve shot where half the people walking down the aisle, including the bride, were looking down at their feet the entire time. Now, just before the ceremony, I always tell the families and the wedding party to walk slowly and look straight ahead, allowing their excitement to bubble over into some beautiful smiles. Most photographers will not mention this, so take it upon yourself to make this a point with everyone walking down the aisle just before the ceremony.

When I worked with Valentino, capturing the designer’s Paris fashion shows, I remember seeing a sign written in big marker. It was posted for all the models to see just before they hit the catwalk. It said, “You’re an Oscar winner and the world belongs to you!” Why not post a sign your participants will see just before the ceremony? It could read, “We love all of you so much!! Shoulders back…walk slowly…confidence…eyes up and let’s see that beautiful smile! Let’s do this!!!”

10. Beware guests who sabotage your wedding pictures

I strongly urge my clients to request their guests REFRAIN FROM ALL PHONE USE at the ceremony and during key moments at the reception. The worst offenders will be clearly visible (in your wedding pictures!) texting in the background as you exchange your vows or reaching into the aisle with their smartphones (blocking your photographer) as you share your first kiss or make your exit.

Looking through your wedding pictures you will see them hidden behind their glowing screens as they attempt to capture your cake-cutting and first dance on video. Then they spend the next several minutes staring down at their device hash tagging and posting to their social media when they should be immersed in the experience you’ve worked so hard to share with them. The horror!

When did this become acceptable behavior? Phone-free ceremonies and receptions are strongly advised. A simple card left on the wedding ceremony chairs indicating your ceremony and reception are phone-free zones should get the point across in a tactful way.

[Bonus Tip] Plan fun and challenging activities

Of course the main event for any destination wedding is the wedding day, but the activities a couple plans before and after the wedding are integral to the overall success of the weekend and they provide countless memorable photo opportunities. Keep in mind, your friends and family have traveled a long way (and at great expense) to be there with you on this special occasion, so make sure to plan a variety of interesting, exciting and unique experiences for everyone. Some of the destination wedding activities I’ve captured for my clients include private sailboat charters in Tahiti, spearfishing excursions in Corsica, Berber musicians playing on the roof of a riad in Marrakech, horseback riding in Acapulco and swimming in Tulum’s mysterious cenotes.

See more of Joshua Lawrence Kogan’s travel photography at www.joshuakogan.com and his wedding photography at www.studiojlk.com.

To read this article on the Huffington Post, click here.

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Lazy meandering days by the lake. Balmy, temperate weather practically year round. Lingering lunches in rustic grottos where earthy fare is languidly served alongside countless glasses of local Merlot (though not a soul is counting). Beautiful, well-dressed throngs of residents who smile an inordinate amount of the time and almost seem to sway with an air of contentment. Night time walks punctuated by spontaneous stops on the terraces of lakeside cafes and bars for a libation. Jazz-filled evenings at piano bars. The occasional night of clubbing until dawn, mingling with the bright, shiny denizens of the locality before dancing home through the streets as the sun rises above the surrounding mountains.

To live, to love, to laugh and to play in convivial surroundings – that is the essence of la dolce vita. Heretofore, I had heard about it, seen films about it and even dreamt about it. However, it was not until I found myself enveloped in its embrace that I fully understood the transcendent state of existence known as “the sweet life” as so perfectly realized in Ticino – that most singular and transformative canton located in the southernmost reaches of Switzerland.

Having visited Bern, Basel, Zurich, Geneva and Interlaken since my college days, I almost snobbishly counted myself reasonably well versed in Swiss culture. On those earlier visits, I had, of course, always heard tales about Ticino but for years the Italian speaking corner of Switzerland, bordered by neighboring Italy, remained a mystery to me. In the wake of my recent visit, however, I must admit my grave regret that I can never get those lost years back. Because, with hindsight as my dearest friend, I recognized for perhaps the first time that, while I had been to paradise all over the world, I had never been to my own perfect version of the same until I opened the door to the world of Ticino.

My newfound love affair began in Lugano, the bustling little powerhouse of a town located in a bay on the northern side of Ticino’s staggeringly picturesque Lake Lugano. Perfectly situated on the shores of the lake, with stately views of mounts San Salvatore and Brè, my elegant, art-filled lodgings at the Villa Castagnola on the outskirts of the city center set the tone for my entire stay. Built as the winter residence of a wealthy Russian family in the late 19^th century, the property and its surrounding gardens are imbued with the very romance of Ticino. Less akin to what one might expect of a traditional hotel and more like a very grand private villa, a visit to Villa Castagnola, if only for dinner or drinks, is worthwhile for the sake of savoring the grandeur of a bygone era that still encapsulates the spirit of the place.

Upon settling in Lugano, it is practically impossible not to feel the call of the lake, the shores of which act as a tour guide to the uninitiated. Though buses run regularly from almost all points in town, including the Villa Castagnola, I opted to walk and explore on that first day.

Like a siren, my shoreline guide took me on a promenade through the stunning Belvedere Garden, where I roamed the flower-filled park dotted with sculpture by mostly Ticinese artists, before eventually finding myself deposited in the heartbeat of the city. I nipped into town and wandered along the chic Via Nassa, one of the city’s most exclusive shopping streets where names like Versace, Hermés and Armani commingle with other similarly high-end designer boutiques, bakeries and other eateries.

I also tripped along the Via Pessino where I sampled charcuterie, cheeses and other gourmet delights at, among other spots, the famed Gabbani deli shop, which was once a simple outdoor stand back in 1937 and is today a standalone store, boutique hotel and restaurant. I even stopped in at the impressive new LAC Lugano Art and Culture center, a magnificently contemporary space dedicated to visual arts, theatre and performance. So spectacular is the appeal of the LAC, that even the museum-phobic are likely to find themselves enchanted by the surreal qualities and extraordinary design of this space, its light-filled rooms, its non-stop calendar of events and its prime position overlooking the lake.

For lunch I hopped on a bus and found my way to the sleepy lakefront town of Morcote on the opposite side of Lugano, where the narrow streets barely support two-way traffic, small alleys winding mazelike through old stately homes abound, and a taxing 404 step climb leads up to the monumental Renaissance Baroque church of Santa Maria del Sasso where more breathtaking views of the lake and the mountains await. It is an exhausting but worthy climb that more than justifies a decadent lunch, which is precisely what I enjoyed at the Ristorante Della Posta overhanging the lake. More than two and a half hours passed by like a blip in time as I lunched on Mediterranean fare while staring out at the beauty of the former fishing village with a history that dates back to the 13^th century.

With early evening approaching, I decided to take the ferry from Morcote back to Lugano so that I might catch a glimpse of the other side of Lake Lugano. Even under a slightly overcast sky that threatened a shower, I couldn’t resist the urge to sit on the open deck where I could be as close to the beauty as possible. I marveled at the lakefront homes, the architectural majesty of the Casinò Lugano and the hiking trail that traverses Monte San Salvatore en route to Morcote. Hard as it was to admit, in less than 24 hours, I had fallen wildly, impractically in love with this magical place. So much so in fact that despite the fact that I still had two more days of exploration ahead of me, I already felt pangs of sadness at the notion that I would ever have to leave.

After the ferry docked, I made my escape and began to quickly shuffle back to my hotel for dinner. Along the way I passed a lively collection of pretty people splayed out on deck chairs, knocking back cocktails on a jetty by the lakeside. The place was called El Mojito and it smacked of authenticity.

I thought about my dinner reservation and checked my phone for the time, only to realize that there was really no time for a drink. Just as I was about to make up my mind that I should give El Mojito a pass until another day, one of the bartenders flashed a welcoming smile in my direction and it was then that I heard the words la dolce vita spring to the forefront of my brain. So I stopped. I stayed and enjoyed a few delicious cocktails. And, of course, I was very late to dinner but when living the sweet life, time is a trifle, while spontaneity, particularly in the fun department is everything.

To find out more about Lugano click here.

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“It is very important in the world we live in today that we as humans can just let go of what we’re doing sometimes and just enjoy ourselves and dance. I love to give people that experience.” — MORTEN

The Danes are coming! While the Swedes may have laid claim to a pretty significant parcel of the dance music landscape in recent years, Danish DJ MORTEN is almost single-handedly carving out a slice of the scene on behalf of his fellow countrymen in neighboring Denmark. Could this be the start of a new Danish dance music revolution?

Perhaps.

Who can say? Music is a fickle thing.

But revolution or not, there can be little doubt as to fact that MORTEN is in the midst of a very big moment that kicked off in earnest back in 2008 with a chart-topping, award-winning collaboration between the DJ and Danish pop duo Nik & Jay and has continued through the last several months capping off what can only be described as a very good year musically for the Dane. In addition to playing a slate of major gigs in some of the hottest venues around the world in 2015, one of the highlights of which was closing the popular Skanderborg Festival just this past August in his native Denmark before a crowd of 35,000, there was his glorious unofficial remix of Adele’s “Hello” that began setting dance floors across the globe ablaze just a few weeks back, racking up more than a million spins in its first three weeks of release despite being quite difficult to find given that it was unsanctioned.

Unlike so many other remixes of late which have woefully fallen so deep into the soulless ravine of homogenous dance beats and contrivances that they wind up completely and utterly detached from the original melody or vocal, MORTEN’s take on “Hello” is organic inasmuch as it leaves the signature vocal front and center and respects the intent of the song while simultaneously layering an infectious groove onto it that works for the dance floor. It is in fact the kind of remix that hearkens back to the era of what might be called the ‘superstar remix’ – that moment in music not so very long ago that heralded the rise of superstar djs who were savvy enough to craft remixes that were as good as or better than the originals. Remember those? Of course, I’m referring here to the mix masters behind mega remixes of hits in the late 90’s and early 00’s by the likes of that era’s ruling cabal of one-named divas – Whitney, Mariah and Cher. [Gold star to you if you called that one.]

Like those who have done with the music of other divas what he has done with Adele’s latest mega hit, perhaps the key to MORTEN’s take on “Hello” is that it reflects his deference to the raw talent of the diva about whom the whole of the music business is currently buzzing.

“I’m a great fan of Adele,” the DJ with the model good looks enthused during a call from Copenhagen, where he was taking a break from shooting a new campaign for the Danish brand Halo. “For me, Adele is one of the greatest singers we may have ever had. I love her so much. The track [“Hello”] came out on a Thursday or Friday and I heard it on Saturday. Then I woke up on Sunday…and played around with it. I called my manager that night and played it for him and he was like, ‘We have to do this!” We knew we had to be on it. I worked three days straight with another DJ in Denmark…I didn’t even sleep because I knew there were going to be other [remixes] coming out.”   MORTEN’s efforts not only paid off in the form of the near universal praise his remix received from his fellow DJs and fans alike but also in the rapturous reception his spin on the hit track has continued to receive during his live sets in clubs from New York to Vancouver and beyond in recent weeks.

Listen:

On the heels of that bit of unexpected, if welcome notoriety, comes a completely different and edgier collaboration with DJ Karma Fields called “Stickup” which, after years of delay, was finally released on the Monstercat label on November 30^th  and features vocals by actress and singer Juliette Lewis, another artist whose talents inspire enthusiastic praise from the rising star DJ.

“First of all, I think Juliette Lewis is so cool. She’s [expletive] amazing! I’ve always loved her. She’s so edgy!” MORTEN gushed.

“[‘Stickup’] is actually an old track. It’s a weird story,” he explained before launching into the tale of how the collaboration came to be. “I was so lucky to get in the old EMI studios with [Juliette] in LA three years ago and I had this house track that was kind of rocky so I played it for her and she loved it right away. She had all these ideas…and she was very excited and she was like ‘Let’s do this!’ [The recording] was really intense. She was screaming and pulling her hair. It was great. Right after I got out of the studio I knew the production that I had wasn’t suited to her vocal because her vocal was too intense…too strong…it didn’t fit the production. I needed something crazier. I met this guy in LA called Karma Fields. He does really crazy electronic stuff so I sat down with him and we finished up the track and I think it is a unique track and it really suits her vocal.”

“Stickup” – featuring Juliette Lewis

The result is a track that may not be to everyone’s taste, but is nonetheless proof of the breadth of MORTEN’S talent and his willingness to take risks in an increasingly derivative arena of the music business. All of which is in keeping with the music man’s thoughts about music in general and the anatomy of a great dance song. “I think music is a bit like fashion. It moves. It travels,” he explains with the quiet zeal of a shaman. “But for me throughout the years it has always been [about] something with a good groove. It’s got to be bouncy. I listened to a lot of hip hop when I was younger and now I work a lot with house music and I like to add these elements from hiphop where it feels like the head is bouncing and you put your hands up and it’s like you want to be moved by the music. And then there’s the feeling …if you have a vocal that really touches you that’s something different. If you can combine these two things…the elements that make you move and the words and the vocals or melody that gives you emotions then you can really create something unique. That’s what I look for…ways to touch people through music.”

Asked about his favorite temples around the world in which to ply his craft, he offered the following without skipping a beat, “I really enjoy playing in Miami. I love playing in New York. I love playing in Vegas and I love playing in LA. I always kind of play the same clubs in the U.S. I play Live in Miami, I play Marquee in New York and I play XS in Las Vegas. I think the major cities in the U.S. have really good nightlife and, compared to Europe where I’m from, the U.S. has that spark of interest in new house music that I really enjoy.”

“Recently I’ve been playing in South America,” said the DJ who now calls Los Angeles home. “I’m actually playing in Peru again in two weeks and the crowd down there is just completely crazy and that is really, really fun. And then of course Denmark. Most of my fans are here.  I played in here in Denmark this past Saturday and it was the first snowstorm of the year and 1,200 people still showed up for me so it’s always very special to play here. Ibiza is very special as well because it’s like the capitol of house music.”

Given the number of miles he logs on the road in a given year, I asked what items he never leaves home without. “I kind of have a fetish for skincare products and hair care products,” he responded quickly with the slightest chuckle. “I don’t leave without those because I’m not a big fan of the hotel products. I like to have my products. There are also so many good things to bring from LA like protein bars and healthy stuff like vitamins…I always have those things with me [as well]”.

Speaking of healthy stuff, my final question to the DJ of the moment was not about music but instead about tips for staying healthy while on the road, since he is notoriously fitness minded.

“For me it’s just part of a daily routine. I work out almost every day. I have to do it,” he replied summoning up that shaman-like zeal once again.  “I think it’s very important to get into a routine where you work out regularly. It’s not important how much you work out it’s just important that you get it done every day. There’s no excuse not to because you can even do it in your hotel room. I often do something called 500 or 600 where I do one hundred of each thing…a hundred sit-ups, a hundred push-ups, a hundred squats…and it may only be 20 or 30 minute workout but it’s important to get your body moving especially after a long flight.”

“I stand on the stage every week,” he added with a sense of benediction. “If I feel good in my body and my clothes feel good on my body, I have one less thing to worry about and I can worry more about the music and being present instead of worrying about whether you can see my belly or that I’m not healthy.”

And again…it’s all about the music with MORTEN. Just as it should be.

Find out more about MORTEN and his upcoming international tour dates at mortenofficial.com.

Read this article on the Huffington Post at: www.huffingtonpost.com/morten

The post Superstar Danish DJ MORTEN Talks Travel, His New Single with Juliette Lewis and His Epic Adele Remix appeared first on .

The contemporary notion of ‘polish’ has become synonymous with a range of superficial attributes ranging from the cut of a man’s pants and the shine of his shoes to the grooming of his person and the affectation of his speech. But the true definition of a “polished man” cuts deeper, encompassing not only the man without but also the man within.

YGAP, an Australia-based organization working to empower communities disadvantaged by poverty to become self-sustainable, recognized this distinction and launched the Polished Man Challenge in acknowledgement of it. This unique fundraising initiative is centered around an innovative campaign that challenges men to help end violence against children by raising awareness and funds to support the 1 in 5 children who suffer physical and sexual violence before the age of 18. To this end, men around the globe are encouraged to paint a single nail for the duration of the campaign as a symbol of their support.

The idea for the campaign was sparked when YGAP’s CEO, Elliott Costello, met a young girl named Thea while visiting Hagar International, one of YGAP’s project partners,  in Cambodia. Though Costello and Thea did not share a common language, the two played Tic-Tac-Toe and other games for hours. At the end of the night, Thea drew a heart on Elliot’s palm, and then painted all of his nails blue.  And so the idea  for the Polished Man initiative was born.

While this year’s campaign has been focused on the period between October 1^st and 15^th, funds raised through November 10^th will still benefit this year’s campaign so there’s still time sign up and help. With two weeks left to donate, here are 5 creative ways you can join the campaign to help the 1-in-5 children who experience violence globally:

• Host a Monday Night Football Party for Polished Man
• Plan a dinner party for friends and request a donation to Polished Man in exchange for food and wine
• Organize an evening out with 5% of the night’s drink sales donated to Polished Man
• Share an eye-catching photo of your painted nail on social media and a link to your fundraising page
• Host a Halloween party with an entrance fee going to Polished Man

Paint a nail, help save a child – there’s not much to think about in that equation now is there?

Find out more and sign up at https://www.polishedman.com/.

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On paper, the film version of My Old Lady has ‘must-see’ stamped all over it. Adapted and directed by the Obie award-winning playwright, Israel Horovitz, from his wildly successful play bearing the same name, starring Kevin Kline alongside Dame Maggie Smith and Kristin Scott Thomas, who reunite for the third time on screen in the film, and featuring the city of Paris in a starring role, My Old Lady promises a great deal before the opening credits roll. And it is perhaps because of this very promise and the high bar that it sets that moviegoers may leave this perfectly lovely film wanting more, especially when one considers that the film’s script was reportedly but one of 25 on offer to Maggie Smith at the time it was presented. Rather than wowing moviegoers, the film charms and provokes thought, two qualities that I have never counted among the most egregious of cinematic crimes.

My Old Lady is the story of Mathias Gold (Kevin Kline) a pitiable, middle-aged sad sack with daddy issues who suspects that his luck is about to change for the better when he inherits a stunning Parisian apartment upon the death of his estranged father. However, in keeping with the kind of tragic luck that seems to have followed him throughout his life, Gold arrives in France to find that, though the apartment that he has inherited is indeed worth millions of euros, he is not wholly at liberty sell it because it is a viager.  In the French real estate system viager is a well-established equity release plan which allows the release of cash to a property owner in return for an interest in the property upon the owner’s death. In Gold’s case the property owner is 91 year-old Mathilde Girard (Maggie Smith), who has lived in the apartment with her daughter Chloé (Kristin Scott Thomas) for many years and remains in perfect health. Not exactly the state of affairs that Gold had in mind.

With his plans for selling the apartment and turning over a quick buck foiled pretty summarily by his tenant, Gold works out a deal to share the apartment with Girard and her daughter while he plots to sell his share of the apartment on the sly so that he can get on with his life. This arrangement provides the backdrop against which the film’s well-calibrated drama is played out.

At times comical and at others heart wrenching, My Old Lady is an intriguing meditation on family, love and betrayal that adeptly makes the transition from the stage to big screen, even if it doesn’t quite fill it. Maggie Smith is her normal tour de force self as Madame Girard, imbuing what would be throw away lines in the hands of any other actress with an unquestionable gravity. Likewise Kristen Scott Thomas who, whenever provided a chance, gifts ennui with an elegance that it is seemingly only in her command to give rises to the expansion of the role of Chloé for the film version of My Old Lady with aplomb. Meanwhile Kevin Kline, gives a nuanced performance as the down on his luck Gold who, despite being largely unlikeable at the start, becomes increasingly sympathetic throughout the film thanks to Kline’s portrayal and Horovitz’s directing.

And finally, there’s Paris. Wonderful glorious Paris.  Lovingly shot, My Old Lady captures the intimate side of Paris. In other words, Paris as Parisians live it.  Though much of the film was shot in Paris’ 13th Arrondissement at la Manufacture, the historical site of tapestry manufacturing for French royalty dating from the 17th century to the present day, there are many wondrous shots of quiet back streets, Le Marais and the Seine that will inspire wistful memories for Francophiles of all degrees. You might even say that Horovitz cast Paris as a means of sending a valentine of sorts to the City of Lights.

“The play is populated by three actors in one room, and the decision to expand the film’s setting wasn’t because I felt the story was too contained in that room, or didn’t work,” Horovitz explains of his decision to expand the film’s setting to include a grander, more cinematic vision of Paris than the one implied on stage. “I just felt that images of Paris would add another huge dimension to the story.”

Mission accomplished.

My Old Lady is in movie theaters now. See the film’s trailer below:

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“Wherever I lay my jewels, I lay my head.”

— HSH Princess Cécile zu Hohenlohe-Langenburg

It was on one of those stereotypically crisp, sunny late afternoons that are so emblematic of springtime in the City of Angels that I first met HSH Princess Cecile zu Hohenlohe-Langenburg for coffee on an outdoor patio at the heart of  West LA’s tony Brentwood Country Mart. Fresh faced with her hair pulled loosely back and dressed casually in a fitted leather jacket and jeans, my regal coffee date looked more like one of the chic Santa Monica locals buzzing around the popular shopping plaza than one might expect of the progeny of one Germany’s oldest royal families.

As the eldest daughter of Prince Kraft zu Hohenlohe-Langenburg and Princess Charlotte of Croy, the granddaughter of Princess Margarita of Greece and Denmark, the great niece of Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh and Queen Elizabeth II, the cousin to Princes William and Harry, and also a direct descendant of Tsar Alexander II of Russia, to say that Cécile zu Hohenlohe’s royal connections are not only significant but dizzyingly fascinating, if almost impossible to follow, would be something of an understatement. And yet, though she can count her place in the royal succession to the throne of England, the most discernibly royal quality about the woman sitting across from me clutching a warm beverage and a bag of jewels on that picturesque Southern California afternoon was the beatific nature of her smile and the unconsciously effortless graciousness of her demeanor.

In fact, it is immediately obvious within minutes of conversation with Her Serene Highness (who actually in a nod to modernity eschews any of the pretense of titles beyond their association with her work) that while she readily acknowledges the unique and privileged nature of her heritage, she is far less enamored of her royal ties than others (myself included) seem to be. She is even quick to admit to not knowing her family history well enough, much to the chagrin of her mother. Which is not to say that she takes it all lightly, because, in truth, her family history is in large part the reason we had convened to chat.

After a lifelong interest in art and beauty that began at boarding school and then continued through her study of sculpture, prop making and stage design at art school in London, Cécile has created a singularly glittering exhibition of one-of-a-kind “hand sculptures” called In the Space Between that can currently be seen through Labor Day at Grey Area in East Hampton, NY. A collection of rings filled with contrasts, in which that which is old is made new, while that which is high is commingled with that which is low, In the Space Between combines precious and semi-precious stones along with other elements that have been culled from the Hohenlohe family estate and grounds, Langenburg Castle in Germany and Cécile’s extensive travels to exotic and sacred locales around the world to give birth to artistic creations that seemingly float on the hand while simultaneously providing vessels for telling stories, which is what interests their designer most.

“I like using things which may not traditionally be set together or be what we perceive of as valuable objects or materials,” Cécile explains with a certain air of delight. “It can be a pebble or piece of old concrete but you set it with an amazing stone and suddenly a completely different kind of dialogue begins to happen for both pieces. I like the contrast. I [like] allowing these pieces to come into conversation with each other.”

Conversation and stories are in fact the very foundation of Cécile’s collection beginning with the intimate discourse she entered into with nature at a very young age in the scenic Hohenlohe region of Germany. “”Growing up [at Langenburg Castle] was a very protected upbringing in the sense that it was wholesome. I had much contact with nature around home which was a big part of my refuge as child,” Cécile recalls of the centuries old childhood home where she still maintains the studio to which she returns to create with the help of local master goldsmiths and silversmiths whose connection to her family traces back more than a century. “Being in the castle had a certain rigidity … it was quite conservative and conventional… freedom and inspiration was often found in the woods where I could be free because I didn’t have to be the person I had to be in the castle. Everyone in the village knew who you were. With my name in Germany you’re somewhat branded so to speak. Freedom for me was when I was able to be without any of that on my back. I found it in nature.”

Meanwhile back at the castle, a different and perhaps equally formative conversation was taking place between Cécile and her royal forbears. “There were family events and balls that my parents, my aunt and grandmother attended,” she recalls. “As a little girl I loved when all the preparation began and the dresses came out. They would discuss the gowns they were going to wear, and what tiara and jewels would match. When I was twelve, we were in London for the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana. We children were able to watch from Buckingham Palace. I was too young to go to any of the balls, but it was special watching my mother getting dressed up and adorning herself with the jewels. I adored just sitting there and staring at these beautiful treasures as well as growing up with them – not just in their boxes but actually worn by my family which is rarer and rarer these days.”

Of particular note to a young Cécile was a jewelry casket she found while rummaging through the castle’s many attics, cupboards and drawers, a practice which remains one of her favorite pastimes at Langenburg. “The box was just so beautiful because it had this vibrant Yves Klein blue lining like the sky on the inside and contained three trays,” she says. “Sadly it was empty because the jewels had been sold to support Russian family members after the revolution and what wasn’t sold was burned in the devastating castle fire in 1963. So it was up to my imagination to fill the boxes because there was nothing left other than the imprints of the jewels which were like echoes of past times. That box certainly was a big part of my inspiration. It was this blue emptiness allowing new things to arise from it.”

“My grandmother, Margarita of Greece, the sister of Prince Philip, would often show me jewelry and tell me stories,” she continues. “It was about the connection of the stories attached to [the gems], which made them more special. It was about who gave the jewels to her and on what occasion. She lost most of her possessions when the castle burned down in 1963 so sometimes she only had photographs of herself with these pieces that had been lost. I think there was a sense of displacement in her life, having fled from Greece to Paris and then marrying my grandfather in Germany. A way of connecting with her was looking at these jewels together and her allowing me to play with them as well. It was a special treat to adorn myself with her jewels even though the rings and bracelets would slip off my fingers and arms. I treasure these moments I had with my grandmother.”

Today, Cécile continues the tradition of telling stories through well-traveled jewels with the collection of her creations with which she has been making her way around the world for more than a year. “There are pieces I found on beaches such as in Jordan on the Red Sea, on the Black Sea in Bulgaria, on some islands in Greece, little pebbles from the Ganges and also from a number of sacred sites I’ve been to visit… Pieces that have meaning to me,” she offers in explanation of the make-up of her collection. “I always have my eyes peeled. Just the other day I was on the beach at a house in East Hampton that had been gutted and there were some fabulous crumbled chunks of concrete in a skip outside. I never know where I’ll find something that could end up in one of my pieces. It’s a constant way for me to be in contact with my environment where ever I am. So I schlepp these bags back from wherever I go filled with stones, rocks, this that and the other,” she says with obvious amusement at herself.

Perhaps more than any other, one particular ring captures the spirit and beauty of In The Space Between, because of the journey from the past to the present it tells. “I call it the Lotus Ring. It gives new life to the engagement ring my father gave my mother. I married it with a big chunk of molten bronze found in the ashes after the castle fire,” the artist says of the piece.

“My mother gave me the engagement ring after my father passed and I never wore it. It was sitting in a box in a drawer yet it meant a lot to me and I regretted not wearing it. When I was making the other pieces, it was placed there with all the other stones and I kept wondering what to do with it. I set it with other stones and it just wasn’t happening. Then its history came to mind. It was the only piece left from the box of jewels. Everything else had been sold or charred so it found its natural place with the molten piece of bronze. Symbolically speaking, it’s very much like the Phoenix rising from the flames, which happens to be our family crest, but I prefer the analogy to the lotus rising from the mud unstained.”

Like a Lotus rising from the mud indeed. Just as might be said of the entire collection, the name of which was inspired by the quote “In the space between thoughts, non-conceptual wisdom shines forth continuously” from Tibetan sage Milarepa, In The Space Between is an eclectic array of pieces that have traveled from places both significant and inconsequential to tell unique tales and share the uncommon sagacity of a most compelling life.

See a full range Cécile zu Hohenlohe’s stories told through her art at Grey Area in East Hampton through Labor Day and then keep your eyes peeled for upcoming exhibitions around the world in Bangkok, Hong Kong, Delhi and Mumbai.

To visit Langenburg Castle or find out more about its history click here.

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There is at least one place in Los Angeles County where cars are scarce, the pace is slow and wild buffalo, rather than paparazzi, roam free. It is about 22 miles off the coast of Southern California and accessible primarily by boat or ferry but it is indeed part and parcel of Los Angeles County. Of course, I am speaking here of Santa Catalina Island – known simply as Catalina in local parlance – the largely unspoiled 21-mile island that has been a favorite getaway for both famous and not-so-famous residents of Southern California for decades.

In the early heyday of Hollywood, while privacy craving stars like Lauren Bacall, Humphrey Bogart and Marilyn Monroe were regularly kicking up their heels on the island and quietly mingling with the locals, the Chicago Cubs gathered on the island annually for spring training, a practice that lasted for over three decades. Simultaneously, Catalina became a popular backdrop for classic films including the likes of Treasure Island and Mutiny on the Bounty starring Clark Gable. Inevitably, the island eventually added to its allure by cultivating a whiff of scandal thanks to the murky circumstances surrounding the death of actress Natalie Wood who drowned off its coast back in 1981.

These days, as it has actually been for most of its modern existence, Catalina is primarily a laidback beachside resort town where rows of quaint cottages line the main streets of town and golf carts and bikes are the primary mode of transportation. Locals who have lived on the island all their lives, mix with families for whom the island has been a regular escape since its early beginnings. In season, tourists aplenty swell the ranks of the town and cover its beaches, but there can still be no denying that Santa Catalina Island feels a world apart from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles though the hum of the city buzzes just over an hour away.

For one of the best vantage points from which to appreciate Catalina’s charms, the Descanso Beach Club is without question the best venue. Tucked into the cove of one of the last private beaches with public access in California, the Descanso serves up picturesque views of both the Pacific and Catalina’s landmark Casino along with more than a few amenities that only serve to reassure its status as the premiere destination on the island.

Not only does the club boast the only seaside restaurant on the island, it also offers chaise lounge rentals and seventeen fantastically private cabanas, the reservation of which includes complimentary bottled water, smoothies upon arrival, chaise lounges, Wi-Fi and beach towels (massages and bottle service are extra but available). And, just in time for summer 2014, the Descanso added three new luxury cabanas that can accommodate up to six people and include all of the amenities of the smaller cabana as well as a waterfront deck and a personal beach butler. One of the more posh amenities the island offers, these cabanas are worth the splurge if only because even in the City of Angels, such treatment is hard to come by at any cost.

Apart from the beach and the town of Avalon, which serve as the sort of heartbeat of Catalina, the other eighty percent or so of the island remains largely undeveloped, which is where the buffalo come in. So the story goes, back in the 1920s a film company brought in 14 bison for use in a movie and when the filming was over, they gifted them to the island and the population has since grown to 200 under the guidance and management of the Catalina Island Conservancy.

Speaking of the Conservancy, because so much of the island has been so well preserved, there is much natural beauty to take in on Catalina. You could hike parts or bike others but it is an exceptionally rocky island, so I recommend a bio-fueled Hummer off-road tour over Catalina’s scenic East End Trail. In just about two hours, you’ll get a bird’s eye view of the island as you climb 1,684 feet to the summit of East Peak overlooking Avalon and with any luck along the way you’ll also manage sightings of all manner of wildlife including the indigenous Grey Fox and maybe even a bison or two.

The beauty of Catalina is that it’s easy. It’s an easy place to get to (Catalina Express ferries leave from Long Beach and Dana Point regularly) and it’s an easy place to be once you do.  And perhaps best of all, it’s an escape from Los Angeles without leaving Los Angeles and all the benefits of Southern California life and weather. Now, I ask you…how bad can that be?

Find out more about Catalina Island at www.visitcatalinaisland.com.

To read this article and more from my archive on the Huffington Post click here.

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