Some Like It Hot Video & Blog

If the first thing you think about when you hear "Asheville, North Carolina" is the beautiful, scenic Blue Ridge Mountains – think again. While the mountains are certainly a city perk, Asheville is about so much more.

The city has been named "one of the 50 most alive places to be," "the happiest city for women" and even "best places to reinvent your life." American Style magazine called the city "one of America's top 25 arts destinations."

This April, Asheville lives up to its artistic reputation when the famous creative festival known as HATCHfest comes to town.

What is HATCHfest?
HATCHfest started in Bozeman, Montana in 2004. It's an annual event designed to develop and foster the growth of creative minds in various industries through mentorship, exposure and networking.

HATCHfest features creative performances, lectures and exhibits by innovative artists from around the world in mediums such as music, photography, architecture, fashion, film, graphic design and fine art.

On April 15-19, 2009, the festival will make the 2,000-plus mile journey to Asheville, and from here on out will become a bi-annual event held in downtown Asheville every spring.

What to Expect

• Fine art, photography and fashion exhibits
• Musical concerts
• Theatre and performing arts
• Film screenings
• Q&A with creative participants
• Lectures from top professionals around the world
• Special networking events to create professional connections
• Workshops and backstage sessions
• Ability for local creative professionals to volunteer

For more information, visit AshevilleHatchFest.com.

Sure, the Southwest gets most of the "cowboy" and "Wild West" credit. But, did you know that the biggest rodeo east of the Mississippi — and one of the biggest in the entire country — makes its home in Kissimmee, Florida?

It's called the Silver Spurs Rodeo, and the folks here in Osceola County have been ridin', ropin', and racin' for over a half-century. What started as a "humble gathering of Osceola Country ranchers" in the 40's has grown into a top 50 event sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association.

Held twice a year, the Silver Spurs Rodeo features all of the classic cowboy events including bareback bronc and bull riding, barrel racing, team and tie-down roping, steer wrestling and even a little mutton bustin' for the kids.

You'll see bull riders and fighters, barrelmen, rodeo clowns, pickupmen (those guys on horses who swing in to pick up riders after they get bucked off) and even rodeo queens.

The Silver Spurs Quadrille is also an event favorite. Described as "square dancing on horseback," the Quadrille consists of eight colorfully-dressed horseback riders weaving, zigzagging and crisscrossing between each other creating . . . well . . . square dancing on horseback.

Those accustomed to staying outside of the ring will find some of the nicest arena facilities in the country. The recently built Silver Spurs Arena greets visitors with 8,300 seats and 12 luxury skyboxes — all in an indoor, climate-controlled environment that plays host to everything from rodeos to concerts.

Don't miss the 122^nd Silver Spur Rodeo Feb. 20-22. Tickets are only $15 (children 10 and under are free) and it's the perfect authentic Southern family getaway.

In most parts of the country, October signals the end of summer heat and the beginning of the cool autumn air. Outdoor festivals and events are winding down. Music concerts and street performances are moving indoors. Downtown music festivals are quickly becoming an afterthought.

But down South in Baton Rouge, autumn temps signal prime time for outdoors events and festivals. October and November prove that no matter the season, one thing that never goes cold in Baton Rouge is the music.

Jazz. Rock. Southern-fried country. Vintage Louisiana classics. You can find all of the authentic rhythms of Cajun country at Sunday in the Park. The free Sunday concert series in Lafayette Park at the Shaw Center offers the opportunity to catch "brunch and music under the oaks," while dancing and relaxing to the classic tempos of live Louisiana tunes.

Sundays in the Park isn't the only thing going on in Baton Rouge during the fall. Live After Five returns to downtown Baton Rouge for Fall of 2008.

Head downtown right after work on Fridays (from 5-7), bring your lawn chair and make sure to set-up where you can see the stage as you kick back to the beats from bands like Stormy, Hip Boot Joe, Larry Garner, Travis Matte and the Kingpins, Papa Grows Funk and more.

There's just nothing like a cold drink, a shade tree and the cadences of saxophones, guitars and trombones on a fall afternoon in Baton Rouge.

Ok, ok…I watch my fair share of CNN.  It’s true.  So….the other day I was watching CNN and one of the anchors started talking about these women he met in New Hampshire for the primaries earlier this month (or was it last month).  He referred to them as “political tourists.”  Apparently, they don’t live in New Hampshire but flew in so that they could be a part of the excitement that is the political primary season in New Hampshire.   

What an interesting new trend, I thought.  With that, I did what all Internet-addicted Americans do…I “Googled” it, I “Asked Jeeves” about it and I was captivated.  As one writer put it, “it’s like when people fly into New Orleans for a jazz festival…except that these are political junkies” who fly from Quebec, New York, Massachusetts, Cleveland and even overseas to check it out. 

So, with that, for all you “political tourists” out there I have one tip…www.TravelSouthUSA.com.   In that one site, you will find all you need to plan your political tour of the gorgeous, beautiful and politically active Southern states as well as articles from the pages of Southern Living magazine.  From dining to shopping to festivals and attractions, it is all there.  And for those of you who can’t make it in person, you can take the South home with you by downloading some great Southern Recipes.  Here are two of my personal faves…

I just heard that four Kentucky poets, Lynnell Edwards, Erin Keane and Ben Lesousky of Louisville, and David Harrity of Nicholasville, will read from their work at the first Tapas Tuesday of 2008 at Holly Hill Inn in Midway, Kentucky.  The reading will be on January 29^th.  As an English major, I’ll go anywhere to hear poetry but, unfortunately, I had to ask, “What is a Tapas Tuesday?”  Here’s what I learned from Genie Graf: the tradition of serving food on small plates, or tapas, originated in Spain. These small plates of food can be shared among friends, or several can be ordered as a meal. The dishes, such as gambas al pilpil (shrimp in garlic sauce) or a Spanish tortilla, can range from spicy to light, soups to meats, chilled or hot. 

Sounds awesome.  Gene also told me that vegetarian options are always available at the Holly Hill Inn. Cost for each plate will range from $5-$10.

Holly Hill Inn is at 426 North Winter Street in historic Midway, Exit 65 off I-64, minutes from Lexington, Frankfort and Versailles. Hours are: dinner, 5:30-10 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday; brunch, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; weekday lunch by group reservation only in winter. Reservations suggested for dinner and brunch at (859) 846-4732. For menus and more information, visit www.hollyhillinn.com.

We've also got articles from Southern Living magazine about Kentucky as well as other locations throughout the south at http://www.travelsouthusa.com/travel-talk/Default.aspx?id=25.  Check it out!

Professional storytellers from across America will gather in Pigeon Forge for the 17th Annual Smoky Mountains Storytelling Festival™, Feb. 7-9, 2008, to share their talents on stage and in workshops.

Hailing from West Virginia, California, New York and points between, the list of performers showcases a variety of storytelling styles. Tellers scheduled to perform include Waddie Mitchell, a cowboy poet and storyteller from Nevada; Bil Lepp, five-time champion of the West Virginia Liars Contest.

Carmen Agra Deedy, an author and storyteller born in Havana, Cuba, shares stories steeped in the riches of both Latin American and Southern culture. Mitch Weiss and Martha Hamilton, an award-winning husband and wife team, are known for their work in teaching the art of storytelling.

Willy Claflin has a number of award-winning recordings and has been featured at storytelling festivals around the world.

The festival also features the National Youth Storytelling Showcase presented in partnership with the National Storytelling Network. The Showcase will feature performers age 17 and younger from across the nation, vying for the title of Grand Torchbearer.

Old Mill Haunts ‘n’ Haints Tales return with evening offerings of family-friendly ghost stories.

Storytelling concerts and workshops will take place at American Jukebox Theater. Day passes for Storytelling activities (excluding Haunts ‘n’ Haints) are $10 for ages 18 and older, free to ages 17 and younger. Weekend passes are $25. Haunts ‘n’ Haints tickets are $5 per person. All tickets will be available at 1-866-430-8422.

OK travelers from near and far…Now that I’ve given you the scoop on where I think it is hot to shop in Atlanta, it is play time. 

First stop, the Georgia Aquarium.  The new Georgia Aquarium is one of the world's largest with over 55,000 animals from 500 different species! It is located across from the CNN Center and Centennial Olympic Park in downtown Atlanta.  The Georgia Aquarium has timed ticketing (meaning they assign you a time to enter), so I recommend buying tickets in advance. This can be done on their Web site or by phone (404-581-4444).

Next, have a “coke and a smile” at the World of Coke.  Can you imagine?  A 7 foot polar bear, 62,000 square feet and 1,200 artifacts all about the world’s best-known soft drink!   Not to mention all the free coke you can drink.  Very cool.

Now it’s time for my other favorite cool beverage at the Atlanta Brewing Company.  Founded in 1993, the Atlanta Brewing Company (ABC) is the oldest operational brewery in the state of Georgia. Atlanta Brewing Company hosts a tour and tasting every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday from 5pm to 7pm with live, local music on Wednesday and Friday. Usually, four to six beers, including seasonals, are offered on tap at the tasting. The brewery tour is highly informative and educational.

Finally, how about some food?  Atlanta is full of fabulous eateries.  You name it, they’ve got it.   My personal favorites?  Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, Alexander’s and The Varsity Downtown.  But this is just the tip of the iceberg.  As hot as shopping is in Atlanta, the cuisine is even hotter.  Start by checking out Travel South’s list.  Than get out there, try everything and then tell me about it.

Until next time…