Museums & Attractions
- Alabama's Birmingham Museum of Art is presenting Who Shot Rock & Roll: A Photographic History, 1955 to the Present, which runs from June 26 to Sept. 18. The exhibition, organized by New York's Brooklyn Museum, is divided into six sections: rare and revealing images taken behind the scenes; snapshots of young musicians at the beginning of their careers; photographs of live performances; images of the crowds and fans; and conceptual images and album covers highlighting the collaborative efforts between the image makers and the musicians. For more information, call 205.254.2565.
- Construction recently began on the Aruba Linear Park, which is poised to become the largest in the Caribbean with a total length of 10 miles extending from the Reina Beatrix Airport to Arashi Beach. The park will include a cycling path, walking path, sheltered areas, kiosks and space for organizing events and activities, all with views of the ocean. The building of the park will be done in phases and the first phase is expected to be completed this year.
- The New World Center opened in January as the relocated campus of Miami's New World Symphony. The Frank Gehry-designed building includes several performance venues and a 7,000-foot projection screen for "wallcasts." Groups can make use of the center's rooftop garden, among other public areas. The New World Symphony's artistic director is Michael Tilson Thomas, also the music director of the San Francisco Symphony. For more information, call 305.673.3330.
Programs & Packages
- Barton Creek Resort & Spa, in Austin, Texas, is presenting its "Work Hard, Play Free!" meetings package. Groups that host a meeting with 50 or more room nights for 2011 receive two of the following options: complimentary golf for up to four players per 15 room nights, free game room activities offered during the group's sponsored tailgate/hospitality event, a complimentary play night at the Rock House, two hours of free Barton Creek on-site team-building activities or a tennis clinic/tournament for up to four people per 15 room nights. The meeting must be booked by June 30 and is valid through Aug. 31. For more information, call 512.329.4000.
- Ritz-Carlton is promoting its "Meaningful Meetings" package. For groups that book a meeting at a Ritz-Carlton hotel in the U.S., Mexico or the Caribbean, 10 percent of the guest room revenue will be donated to charity. The money is divided equally between a charity of the group's choice and the Community Footprints Fund. Under the umbrella of the Community Footprints program, the company's hotels and resorts partner with local organizations to benefit disadvantaged children, hunger and poverty relief and environmental conservation. The offer is valid for groups with 10 or more room nights. For more information, call 800.542.8680.
- Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide and its Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) program forged a sponsorship alliance with Live Nation Entertainment to offer SPG members access to unique music experiences. Direct benefits to SPG members include music-inspired promotions and redemption opportunities, access to intimate acoustic performances and artist after-parties taking place at Starwood properties, as well as access to premium tickets and VIP experiences. In addition, Starwood will work directly with the entertainment company's touring division to arrange customized hotel bookings for artists on tour and for all corporate travel. For more information, call 914.640.8100.
Kudos
- Marking its 50th anniversary, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts recently launched a website chronicling the company's various corporate responsibility initiatives. The site (), highlights the company's efforts in three primary areas: supporting sustainability, building communities and advancing cancer research. Four Seasons properties are active in an array of sustainability initiatives, from preserving ancient coastal ponds in Hawaii to tracking endangered sea turtles in Nevis. For more information, call 800.819.505.
Event Calendar
- Atlanta is presenting its annual National Black Arts Festival in Centennial Olympic Park July 14-17. The festival will feature dance, film, theater and music, as well as visual and literary arts of Africa and the African Diaspora. Included will be an international marketplace, cooking pavilion and the Children's Education Village.