Popular Fixture in the English Social Calendar It's no accident that Ascot racecourse is located near Windsor Castle. A flat expanse of heathland near the castle in the town of Ascot was suggested by Queen Anne after coming upon it one day while out for a ride. The first race took place on August 11, [...]
New Year celebrations have changed over time, even from the beginning to the end of the Victorian era. Prince Albert may have introduced the tradition of the Christmas tree from Germany, but Queen Victoria was obsessed with everything Scottish. There was no bigger holiday during the year in Scotland than New Year’s Eve and Day where it is known as Hogmanay or Hegmena and the Queen passed her passion on to her subjects.
by Donna Klein Charles Dickens, the Victorian Era, and Today's Christmas Traditions An annual holiday tradition in my house is watching “A Christmas Carol,” based on the novella by Charles Dickens. It got me thinking, 'what was Christmas really like in Dickens' day, and what is his influence on how we celebrate the [...]
by Donna Klein I love non-commercial radio, which means WCMU where I live. As I was driving earlier this week, the station was conducting a fundraiser for heating assistance. Fundraisers usually mean the more popular selections of classical music are played. It was no surprise that holiday music was the fare of the day, [...]
By Donna Klein Thanksgiving During the Gilded Age Thanksgiving is here! As I thought about the holiday, I wondered what it was like during the glory years of the characters on Downton Abbey. I know the British don't celebrate Thanksgiving, but what was it like for their American counterparts? What was Thanksgiving like [...]
I've always been a fan of fantasy stories. When I was a little girl, I always wanted to be a princess, Little Red Riding Hood, Alice, or Dorothy for Halloween. Things don't change much... I'm a big girl now, and I still want to dress up for the holiday! Here are three of my favorite [...]
Monster Stories and Halloween Who doesn't love monster movies and stories around Halloween? The thought conjures up Gothic images centered in or near the Victorian era. Whether you are searching for costume inspiration or are planning a movie party, here are three classic monster stories that might pique your interest. Frankenstein Who doesn't think of Frankenstein when Halloween [...]
Halloween is Just a Hop-Skip-and-a-Jump Away! Yes, the calendar just flipped from August to September, and the thermometer is still registering summer temperatures. But, make no mistake, it's almost heeeeeerrrrre! It's time to start thinking about autumn and one of its highlights - Halloween. Themed parties, no theme parties, and everything in between [...]
Ballet Tucson Background Ballet Tucson grew out of the Ballet Arts Foundation, which was established in June, 1986. Their focus was and remains "to foster and develop both professional and a children's performing ensemble designed to meet the needs of young dancers in Southern Arizona with career aspirations." After nearly two decades in the [...]