Florida may just be the best destination for a vacation in the United States.

Florida is the perfect place for a vacation, whether you are from out of town or a local. It has award-winning beaches, museums, and world-renowned theme parks.

Whether you want to fish, snorkel, swim with dolphins, check out historic architecture or relax surfside, we have gathered it all here for you.

The best part of a Florida vacation is no passport is required! So skip the TSA line and hop in your car or the Amtrak because you need to see Florida.

Your travel adventure awaits!

NORTH

What to see:

1. CEDAR KEY, Way Key

Why go? When Floridas first railroad connected Cedar Key to the rest of the U.S. East Coast, the pretty little town 50 miles southwest of Gainesville and four miles out into the Gulf of Mexico became a major supplier of seafood and timber to the Northeast.

Notable fact: Cedar Key is a cluster of islands named for their once abundant red cedar, and evidence suggests that people lived here as early as 500 BC.

2. KENNEDY SPACE CENTER VISITORS CENTER, Merritt Island

Why go? Because the Kennedy Space Center is where humans marshaled intellect, knowledge, and ingenuity to build a craft capable of leaving the planet to touch the stars.

Notable fact: The Vehicle Assembly Building is so big that it actually can produce its own weather. It measures 716 feet long, 518 feet wide and 525 feet tall.

3. LIGHTNER MUSEUM, St. Augustine

Why go? Where else can you see a shrunken head, a mummy and Sir Winston Churchills stuffed lion? In addition to a treasure trove of Victorian arts, the setting is fantastic: Its inside the former Henry Flaglers Alcazar Hotel, which was built in 1888 and closed in 1932 during the Great Depression. Wandering through the museum allows you to travel back to 1900, when wealthy Gilded Age tourists visited St. Augustine.

Notable fact: You can lunch at the Caf Alcazar, which used to be the hotels pool.

4. BELLAMY BRIDGE, Marianna

Why go? Built in 1914 the bridge's steel-frame spans over the Chipola River and is one of the oldest surviving bridges in Florida. It's also the site of one of the state's best-known ghost stories: The Ghost of Bellamy Bridge. Elizabeth Jane Bellamy roams the swampy grounds around the bridge, a spectral figure in a long white gown. Though the stories vary, one tale says she died as a result of burns sustained when her wedding dress caught fire after her wedding in the rose garden to Dr. Samuel C. Bellamy. The real Elizabeth is buried in an overgrown family cemetery not far from the old bridge.

Notable fact: The bridge isn't accessible by car, but the Chipola River is a popular paddling trail and a half-mile walking path leads to the bridge.

5. DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY, Daytona

Why go? This venue is known by a single name, "Daytona"; thats the sign of a true icon. Whether you plan to see a big race, like the annual Coke Zero Sugar 400 or go to the track just for the tour, you wont be disappointed. The Motorsports Hall of Fame of America features race memorabilia and displays honoring all forms of motorsports, including stock cars, sports cars, motorcycles, drag racing, land speed records, power-boating and aviation.

Notable fact: Before the speedway, races were held on the beach.

Where to stay:

6. PERRYS OCEAN EDGE RESORT, Daytona Beach

The charm of Old Florida can still be found at resorts such as Perrys, but with modern essentials that guests want. The oceanside pool provides an uninterrupted view of the flat Daytona Beach and wide Atlantic Ocean beyond.

7. HILTON COCOA BEACH OCEANFRONT, Cocoa Beach

This oceanfront property offers tons of water activities, like surfing, boogie-boarding and beach volleyball. When you tire of the waves, relax on the oceanfront deck at Longboards Tiki Beach Grille, while the kids cool down in the splash pad. Orlando theme parks are an hour away, and its just 30 minutes to Kennedy Space Center. Dine on fresh seafood at the Salt Restaurant, and work it off in the fitness center.

8. OMNI AMELIA ISLAND PLANTATION RESORT, Fernandina Beach

This luxury resort boasts 1,350 acres with 3 miles of secluded beach. Its got the largest poolscape in northern Florida, with an infinity-edge adults-only pool; a 10,000-square-foot family-friendly pool and two hot tubs. There are several dining options, from casual to gourmet; a full-service spa; and two championship golf courses and 23 tennis courts. Kids can enjoy Camp Amelia, and teens have access to a gamers lounge.

9. BLACK DOLPHIN INN, New Smyrna Beach

Southern charm and hospitality await at the Black Dolphin Inn, a AAA Four Diamond boutique inn with rooms, each individually designed with vintage furniture, fine art, and spa baths. Wildlife love it too: Manatees, shoreline birds and pelicans, dolphins and sea turtles thrive in the mangrove-lined islands. New Smyrna Beach offers the most consistent surf break in Florida, and its been named one of the best towns for surfers.

EAST COAST

What to do

10. JUPITER INLET LIGHTHOUSE & MUSEUM, Jupiter

Why go? It offers climbing tours of the 1860 lighthouse. Get a lesson in local history with this carefully curated museum and Hiking tours. You can even take a yoga class on the deck. The museum is a restored World War II naval-housing building. You can also visit the lighthouse keepers workshop, the Tindall pioneer homestead and a Seminole chickee.

Notable fact: The range of the light the distance that the light can be seen on a ship at sea is 24 miles. To someone in an airplane, the light would be visible 40 to 50 miles away.

11. FLAGLER MUSEUM, Palm Beach

Why go? Its full of the romance and grandeur of the Gilded Age. Whitehall the museums name when it was Henry Flaglers home was built by the Standard Oil co-founder in 1902 as a wedding gift for his wife. His granddaughter, Jean Flagler Matthews, rescued the estate, which had fallen into disrepair, and established the Flagler Museum on June 5, 1959. Her herculean effort was not in vain. "National Geographic Traveler" called the museum "an absolute must-see."

Notable fact: You can climb aboard Flaglers private rail car, No. 91, in the Pavilion. When it was built in 1886, the rail car was called a "palace on wheels."

12. BLOWING ROCKS PRESERVE, Hobe Sound

Why go? Its a carefully preserved barrier-island sanctuary that is home to several endangered plants and animals, including three species of sea turtles.

Notable fact: It gets its name from its shoreline that shoots plumes of saltwater skyward when the sea is forced through holes in the limestone rocks during the incoming tide.

13. CLEWISTON INN, Clewiston

Why go? Clewiston is the "Sweetest Town in America" according to the Clewiston Chamber of Commerce. The Clewiston Inn was built in 1926 by a company that became, in 1931, the U.S. Sugar Corp. Destroyed by a fire in 1937, the inn was reopened in 1938.

Notable fact: The 360-degree mural of the Everglades in the lounge was painted in the 1940s.

14. PALM BEACH ZOO, West Palm Beach

Why go? The Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society is home to more than 550 animals,190 species many endangered. The 23-acre zoo offers education on the habitats of animals, an interactive play fountain, a carousel, the Tropics Caf, and hosts special events throughout the summer.

Notable fact: The city bought the land where the zoo is located from the state for $100 in 1951. It was a bargain. The land, called Bacon Park, was formerly a landfill and tent camping ground which was destroyed by a hurricane in 1928.

Where to Stay

15. THE DIPLOMAT HOLLYWOOD BEACH RESORT, Hollywood

Spanning the Atlantic ocean and Intercoastal Waterway the Diplomat offers a little something for everyone. Hang out by their waterfront pools which offers complimentary towel service, cabana rentals and feast on their full-service lunch. Or hit the beach and kayak or or hop on a paddleboard. If you are traveling with kids they can make a splash and the Dip +Slide water play area. At night dine on food from one of their eight r culinary experiences helmed by celebrity chefs like Geoffrey Zakarian and Michael Schulson.

16. PLUNGE BEACH HOTEL, Hollywood

Tucked along A1A in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Plunge Beach Hotel is a quirky and understated beach retreat for lovers in search of an off-the-radar getaway. Nestled on the ocean it shuns pretenses and caters to the creative soul. The food is uncomplicated and ranges from tacos on the beach to small plates, infused cocktails and small-batch beers in its gastro pub. It evokes memories of hanging out in a great American beach town.

17. FOUR SEASONS, Palm Beach

This luxurious resort on South Ocean Boulevard offers guests cool water spritzes and chilled towels so you can stay cool while lying by the freshwater pool. The contemporary resort also offers a spa, nature inspired meals at their onsite restaurant Flories. It has amenities for kids and couples making it a great choice for a family holiday or a romantic getaway.

18. EAU PALM BEACH REORT & SPA, Manalapan

Located a little off the beaten path, guests can celebrate nuptials, have a business trip, or enjoy some R&R at the resort. Unplug and rewind by the pool, or try one of the treatments at the spa. Kids can take part in activities at the AquaNuts kids' program, or the COAST teens lounge, where they can learn how to DJ.

MIAMI AND THE KEYS

Where to go:

19. MONKEY JUNGLE, Miami

Why go? This zoological park allows visitors to interact with about 400 free-roaming primates. While on this 30-acre reserve take in one of their fun shows like the King of the Jungle. You will leave understanding how much we have in common with Gorillas. Or experience the southeast Asian Java Macaques as they wade into ponds for treats. This park allows you to immerse yourself in the beauty of southern Miami-Dade County.

Notable fact: Monkey Jungle was started by Joseph DuMond in the 1930s, an animal behaviorist and former New York commercial artist. His original intention was to study the behavior of monkeys. Due to the Depression, he was unable to get the grant funding he needed. He decided to let the public in to see the monkeys and the rest is history.

20. HEMINGWAY HOUSE, Key West

Why go? See how one of Americas greatest writers lived and worked. Lured by the Keys big-game fishing, Ernest Hemingway wrote: "To Have and Have Not" (his Key West novel) and other works here. He bought the house in 1931 and lived in the Keys during some of his most productive years. But watch out for the roaming polydactyl cats! Just kidding. They are the offspring of Hemingways six-toed cats, and they still act like they own the place.

Notable fact: Hemingways second wife, Pauline, added a swimming pool, much to Hemingways dismay. Its noteworthy because it was the first residential swimming pool in the Keys.

21. SHARK VALLEY, Everglades National Park

Why go? This scenic bike loop makes a 15-mile round trip through the "river of grass." At the halfway point, visitors can climb an observation tower to get a sense of what the first settlers may have seen. Dont want to pedal? Take the tram instead. Youll likely see plenty of gators sunning themselves along the path, but dont worry. Just keep your distance.

Notable fact: There arent any hotels, but camping enthusiasts are welcome to enjoy two campgrounds: Long Pine Key near Homestead, or the Flamingo campground farther south which offers Eco Tents that include beds and linens. There are also back-country (wilderness) camping sites.

22. CORAL CASTLE, Homestead (unincorporated Miami-Dade County)

Why go? Edward Leedskalnins legacy located in Homestead, south of Miami, features 1,100 tons of Florida coral, in pieces ranging in size from 6 to 30 tons, all assembled by a 5-foot, 100-pound man. The Latvian immigrant worked in obscurity and died in 1951.

Notable fact: The 3-ton (6,000 pounds) gate can easily be opened by a child. There is a table in the shape of Florida that is geographically correct; it includes an indentation representing Lake Okeechobee which is kept filled with water.

23. VIZCAYA MUSEUM & GARDENS, Miami

Why go? Built by agricultural industrialist James Deering in 1916, the estate has hosted international leaders, including Queen Elizabeth II, Pope John Paul II, former President Ronald Reagan, and King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia of Spain. The property features a main house filled with exquisite treasures, 10 acres of formal gardens and native forest. The museum hosts a variety of events, including yoga and meditation classes, wine tastings and family art-making workshops.

Notable fact: Vizcaya could be called the "house that tractors built." James Deering was an officer of the Deering Harvester Company until the business merged interests with the International Harvester Company where he became Vice President.

24. ANCIENT SPANISH MONASTERY, North Miami Beach

Why go? Its a transplant, like many Floridians. The original buildings were constructed in the 1100s near Segovia, Spain. William Randolph Hearst had the structure dismantled, stone by stone; then shipped to the U.S., where it was eventually reassembled.

Notable fact: It took more than 11,000 wooden crates to ship the structure to Miami. Due to the stock market crash, the Great Depression and World War II, Hearst never got around to reassembling. Two businessmen from Ohio bought the Monastery and had it put back together in 1952.

25. PIGEON KEY, Marathon

Why go? As headquarters for "Flaglers Folly the Railroad That Went to Sea," the five-acre island under the famous old Seven-Mile Bridge housed workers for the engineering marvel that, in 1912, connected Key West to the mainland for the first time.

Notable fact: The island was originally called Cayo Paloma because of the large flocks of white-crowned pigeons that roosted there.

26. JOHN PENNEKAMP CORAL REEF STATE PARK, Key Largo

Why go? Pennekamp and the adjoining Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary accounts for about 178 nautical square miles of coral reefs, sea-grass beds and mangrove swamps. The park is part of the National Register of Historic Places, extending three miles into the Atlantic Ocean. This is a prime birding and snorkeling destination, with scuba and glass-bottom boat tours as well as boat, kayak and paddle-board rentals.

Notable fact: Pennekamp, the first undersea park in the U.S., was named for John D. Pennekamp (1897-1978), a Miami newspaper editor whose efforts contributed to the establishment of Everglades National Park and to the preservation of what would become John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park.

Where to stay:

27. CARILLON MIAMI, Miami Beach

Boasting the largest spa---70,000 square feet--- and wellness facility on the Eastern Seaboard, the Carillon offers a dedicated concierge that guides guests on a custom path to relaxation. Try a fitness, rock climbing, and/or Tequila and Mescal tasting class. At the end of an active day cool off and relax at The Strand, its oceanfront restaurant and lounge. This pet-friendly resort also offers dog walking services if needed.

28. NATIONAL HOTEL, Miami Beach

This Art Deco treasure in the heart of Miami Beach has been wowing guests since opening Christmas Eve 1939. The hotel is home to the longest infinity-edge pool in Miami Beach 205 feet. This tropical oasis is full of native plants and offers a deck thats perfect for poolside dinner or cocktails. The National also offers yoga classes, relaxing massage services and live music five nights per week when in season.

29. OCEAN KEY RESORT & SPA, Key West

Located in the heart of Old Key West, Ocean Key Resort & Spa perhaps has the most desirable view on the island. Overlooking the pristine waters where the Gulf of Mexico meets the Atlantic Ocean, the resort embodies the charm, energy, and eclectic vibe of the island. Its 100 rooms and suites, waterfront dining, access to the Liquid Pool * Bar * Lounge and spa treatments at Spa Terre are designed to fulfill your getaway plans.

30. AMARA CAY RESORT, Islamorada

Situated along the Atlantic shoreline in the "Sport-Fishing Capital of the World" lies the chic but laid-back respite of Amara Cay. Hit the beach and enjoy the gentle sway of palm trees while resting in one of their hammocks. Or cool off in their zero-entry pool before feasting on fresh seafood at Reelburgers Tiki Bar. Its the treat you deserve.

31. GATES HOTEL KEY WEST

Youll find stylish rooms for the modern traveler at this "gateway to Key West," which features a popular rum bar. The Hotel has a massive event lawn where concerts, private functions and public festivals take place. Feast on the Caribbean inspired food from the Blind Pig Food Truck which is parked on-site from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. The Gates is pet-friendly so no need to leave Fido at home.

CENTRAL FLORIDA

What to do:

32. CITRUS TOWER, Clermont

Why go? As one of Floridas first attractions, this 22-story tower was something so noteworthy, people drove out of their way to see it. Officially opened in 1956 and boasting a dizzying height of 226 feet, the structure towered over citrus fields, which indeed were a sight to see when heavy with fruit or when the orange blossoms bloomed in the spring. You also have a birds-eye view of beautiful lakes in the surrounding eight-county area.

Notable fact: The original plans called for the tower to be 75 feet high, but upon completion, it was instead 226 feet, equivalent to 22 stories.

33. HIGHLANDS HAMMOCK STATE PARK, Sebring

Read this article:

50 Florida Faves: Where to go and What to do - The Northwest Florida Daily News

This week includes a comeback by Lil Kim, a full-length by Wale after a year of quality EPs, and YoungBoy Never Broke Again's first project of 2019.Look below for more information on this week's New Music Friday.

Wale - Wow... That's CrazyWith the announcement of signing with Warner Bros., Wale had a string of strong EPs in 2018, showing his fans that he was back in full creative mode. In 2019 he's released several singles including the seductive "On Chill" with Jeremih, "BGM," "Love & Loyalty" with singer Mannywellz, and "Poledancer" with Megan Thee Stallion as appetizers for Wow... That's Crazy, the follow-up to his last LP Shine (2017). An early listen of some songs show Wale revisiting his specialty of songs that adore black women ("BGM," "Love And Loyalty"), chronicle relationships ("Her Fault" featuring Bryson Tiller), and open up about his personal life ("Sue Me"). Other guests on the album include Ari Lennox, Boogie, 6LACK, Rick Ross, Meek Mill, Lil Durk, Pink Sweat$, Kelly Price and Jacquees.Apple Music | TIDAL

Lil Kim 9Lil Kim's last official albumThe Naked Truthdropped in 2005, right before she served a prison bid. Now she's back with her fourth studio album, 9. The title is a reference to the date of Biggie's death (March 9), the birthday of her daughter (June 9), and the original number of members in Junior M.A.F.I.A. And even though Kim has a long history behind her (as seen by her performance at the BET Hip Hop Awards this week), Kim isn't resting on her legacy: "Auto Blanco" features signature Queen Bee shit talking and clowning people who lie on Instagram, and "You Are Not Alone" sees her carrying on the legacy of her friend. "I dismantle any competition to the coalition / What BIG started, I'm bout to finish," she snarls. Other singles include the Rick Ross and Musiq Soulchild-featured "Pray For Me," and the Bubba Sparxxx-sampled "I Found You," which has guest appearances by City Girls and O.T. Genasis. Apple Music | TIDAL

Casanova Behind These ScarsCasanova has had a strong second half of 2019: "So Brooklyn" (featuring Fabolous) took off to the point of sparking a challenge that inspired other rappers to take a shot at the beat, "Coming Home" takes on romantic vibes with a chorus by Chris Brown, and released two more singles, "Stay Wit It" and "Live" featuring Giggs. The rest of Casanova's taut 10-song album, Behind These Scars, has guest appearances by Gunna, Young Thug, and Kaycyy Pluto. Apple Music | TIDAL

Youngboy Never Broke Again AI Youngboy 2Youngboy Never Broke Again (also known as NBA Youngboy) is one of the rap's most interesting figures: he doesn't get the most media coverage or radio spins, but he's one of the most streamed rap artists in the country. While legal issues have held him back from his usual prolific musical output, this week he released AI Youngboy 2, the sequel to his 2017 mixtape of the same title and his first release since 2018's Realer. The new project has 17 tracks and only two guests, Quando Rondo and NoCap, who both appear on the same track.

YK Osirus The Golden ChildYK Osirus landed on the XXL Freshman list this year, and so far his output has proven his stardom: his single "Worth It" landed him a no. 48 spot in the Billboard 200, he released "Freaky Dancer" with DaBaby in June, and last week he dropped the sexy "Ride" with Kehlani. This week sees him dropping his Def Jam debut The Golden Child, which features guest appearances by Tory Lanez and Ty Dolla $ign on a "Worth It" remix, along with guest appearances by Kehlani and Russ. Apple Music | TIDAL

Curren$y, Trademark and Young Roddy Plan Of AttackCurren$y reunited with Wiz Khalifa earlier this year for their 2009 mixtape, and now he's getting back with his Jet Life comrades Trademark and Young Roddy for their album Plan of Attack. Apple Music | TIDAL

Ne-Yo Another Kind of ChristmasR&B/pop star Ne-Yo is getting ready for the holiday season with the release of Another Kind of Christmas, the first holiday album in his decorated career. He reimagines several Christmas classics, including "Someday At Christmas" (originally performed by Stevie Wonder) and Marvin Gaye's "I Want To Come Home For Christmas," along with five new original songs. Apple Music | TIDAL

Wiz Khalifa "I Can't Stay"Since releasing his 2009 mixtape with Curren$y in February, Wiz Khalifa has steadily been dropping several loosies as the year has went on with the likes of Alchemist, YG, and 24hrs, among others. The latest is the atmospheric, relaxing "I Can't Stay." Wiz has had a great couple months musically, and we're on board for as long as he'll have us.

French Montana featuring Juicy J, Logic, A$AP Rocky "Twisted"As the days approach for French Montana's album Montana, he's been dropping multiple singles with huge star power: "Suicide Doors" with Gunna, and "Writing On The Wall" with Cardi B and Post Malone. This week he comes with perhaps the most unexpected combination of artists yet: Juicy J, Logic, and A$AP Rocky, all uniting for a club anthem called "Twisted." Apple Music | TIDAL

Joji & Jackson Wang featuring Swae Lee and Major Lazer "Walking""Walking" appears on the new album Head In The Clouds II by 88rising, a crew/company that has earned a reputation for hosting festivals and world tours while breaking Asian and Asian American crossover artists. On this single, Joji and Jackson Wang join Swae Lee and Major Lazer for a mellow, soothing number that arranges all of their vocals seamlessly. The rest of Head In The Clouds II, according to a press release, "the album spans six countries (United States, Indonesia, Japan, Thailand, South Korea, and China) yet creates a cohesive sound that blends elements of vintage R&B, hip-hop, disco, and forward-thinking pop."

Tiana Major 9 and EarthGang "Collide"Lena Waithe's upcoming film Queen and Slim is one of the most anticipated of the year, starring Daniel Kaluuya and Jodie Turner-Smith as a couple who unexpectedly kill a police officer after being pulled over. The first single from the film's soundtrack is "Collide," by EarthGang and Tiana Major 9. The rest of the soundtrack will feature songs by the likes of Ms. Lauryn Hill, Megan Thee Stallion, Lil Baby, Vince Staples, and Coast Contra featuring BJ The Chicago Kid and Syd, along with previously released songs from the likes of Roy Ayers, Bilal, and Mike Jones.

Hit-Boy and Saweetie "No L's"Hit-Boy and Saweetie's "No L's" was originally heard on Madden 20, but now the song has a video, which showcases Saweetie living lavishly as the main attraction while Hit-Boy celebrates on the outskirts.

Gucci Mane featuring Lil Baby "Tootsies"Gucci Mane's Woptober continues with "Tootsies," a bouncy new record with Lil Baby. Woptober II drops next week. Apple Music | TIDAL

T.I. "Sabotage"T.I. has kept busy with his Expeditiously podcast and his role on Netflix's new show Rhythm and Flow, but his pen still does work and the new song "Sabotage" is proof of that, with his flow still sounding sharp. Apple Music | TIDAL

Pusha T "Puppets (Succession Remix)"HBO's Succession is becoming a runaway hit in its second season, but one of the main attractions is composer Nicolas Britell's haunting, piano-laden theme song. Fans have been fiending for an artist to remix it, and Pusha T delivered with "Puppets," released this week. Such dark production is the perfect fit for Push's grim, rugged lyrics. Apple Music | TIDAL

Homeboy Sandman "Lookout (feat. Quelle Chris, Your Old Droog)"Homeboy Sandman's upcoming album Dusty is scheduled for an Oct. 18 release date with Mello Music Group, and "Lookout" features him barring up with Quelle Chris and Your Old Droog over what sounds like a quirky western guitar sample by producer Mono El Stereo.

Go here to see the original:

Fat Joe Responds To Claims Of Appropriating Santera Culture In "Yes" Video - Vibe

Betty Who at All Things Go, courtesy of Facebook

The weekend is here, so why not try something new? Immerse yourself in a new experiencewith a beer festival, outdoor concert, or one of the many other fun eventshappening throughout the DMV. Just bring a coat and hat if you do!

Here's your weekend roundup for Friday, October 11, to Sunday, October 13.

The longest-running wine festival in D.C.is back for another year! Enjoy a relaxing evening of wine-sampling and food while live music adds ambiance. If you get the chance, say hello to George and Martha for us! Tickets for Saturday have sold out, but Friday's and Sunday's are still available! Buy them here!

Named for the dragon-like beast that haunts the DMV, prepare for a beer festival of beastly proportions! Sample over 400 beers from 150 manufacturers and grab a bite from local food trucks. General admission is $50 and includes unlimited samples and an event glass. This event will sell out, so don't delay! Find out more here!

Immerse yourself in maritime history with knot-tying demos, boat displays, and the crafty "Anything That Floats" boat race. Enjoy refreshing beverages, good food, and live music throughout the day. Admission is free; just pay for food and beverages. Take a look here!

Gather with family and friends for a wonderful day in Patterson Park! From 11 to 5, guests can experience delicious fair food, live music, beer gardens, and more! Admission is free, but visitors can purchase the $30 Mule Fest Drink Ticket Package, which comes with a t-shirt, five drink tickets, and your very own Moscow Mule mug! Check it out here!

Relax into the weekend with arts and crafts! Browse handcrafted wares like jewelry, pottery, ceramics, metalwork, and more from 200 artisans from around the country. Find the perfect gift or memento you never knew you needed! Admission is free. View more information here!

Experience the top artists and entertainment this weekend at D.C.'s Union Market! Groove to a cutting-edge lineup, including CHVCHES, Betty Who, Lany, Coin, and more. General admission tickets are $70-$99. Prices will go up the day of the show, so don't wait! Buy yours here!

This annual tradition by the U.S. Army Military District of Washington is back in its 35th year! Civilians and military personnel can participate in a 10-mile jaunt across D.C. as well as additional activities throughout the weekendpre-race pasta dinner, anyone? Proceeds from the race will support programs for military families. Check it out here!

It's time for a good old-fashioned Oktoberfest! Experience the best of German cuisine, local brews, and activities for the whole family to enjoy. While you drink, catch autumnal activities like apple-pressing demos, or paint your own pumpkin. Admission and parking are free. Check it out here!

Wanna try delicious cuisine at unbelievable prices? Then check out Ocean City Restaurant Week! From October 13 to 27, enjoy affordably priced menus from the city's top restaurants like Longboard Cafe, The Shark on the Harbor, and Captain's Table. You'll want to make a reservation, as restaurants fill up! Find out more here!

Who doesn't love a main street festival? Stroll through Clifton's quaint Main Street and explore artisan booths selling stained glass, furniture, basketry, and decorative arts. Craft demos and live music will entertain all ages. Find out more here!

Who's going to any of the events on this list? Tell us in the comments!

Go here to read the rest:

10 Things You Have to Do in the DMV This Weekend (October 1113) - Our Community Now at Washington, D.C.

Izzy Gravano, Arts EditorOctober 10, 2019

In his own words, Rev. Marc Anderson is Macalesters zen grandpa. He serves as the Buddhist Chaplain in the Center for Religious and Spiritual Life (CRSL), where he facilitates Meditation @ Mac twice a week. The 30-minute sessions are open to students, faculty and community members.

Meditation @ Mac existed prior to Andersons arrival six years ago. When he first started as a volunteer Buddhist chaplain, a student organization was already holding meditation sessions. Anderson was officially hired two years later when College Chaplain and Associate Dean Rev. Kelly J. Stone started her tenure at the college. The students who had previously facilitated the meditation sessions decided to disband their organization leaving a gap in the colleges spiritual programming.

My view of meditation practice, even though I come from the Japanese Soto School of Zen Buddhism, is that I dont see Buddhism as a prerequisite, Anderson said. If students are interested in that part of it, Im available to them but Im trying to offer meditation as something thats available to everybody.

Rev. Anderson approaches meditation on a college campus differently than he might elsewhere.

Some form of contemplative space is really essential for everybody to be healthy, Anderson said. Its not just that youre less anxious and your blood pressure goes down, but it has all these other impacts that are harder for people to grasp because its because it happens differently for everyone.

Meditation is widely recommended by medical professionals and academics alike. On Macalesters campus, Disability Services sees a range of students with anxiety and stress two common reasons why someone might begin meditating.

I find that meditation is a great resource for our students to reduce anxiety, Disability Services Coordinator Josie Hurka said. It is one tool in the toolbox for a healthy life, so its nice that Macalester offers meditation here free of charge and open to everyone.

A dozen or so students regularly attend Meditation @ Mac. Anna Turner 22 sees the benefits, but like many students, cant find the time in the week to make her way to the chapel.

Ive never attended Meditation @ Mac, but Ive always wanted to. Turner said, I like that its a group atmosphere and so low stakes; hopefully I can convince my friends to come with me,

For Macalester students, Anderson cant recommend his sessions enough.

There are few things [in life] that I would guarantee, but meditation is one of them, Anderson said. Not everyone is ready for it, but Ive never met anyone whos been committed to it and not found it to be a good thing, and I cant think of anything else that I could say that about.

You just have to come in the door, he continued. And try it out.

[emailprotected]

Originally posted here:
Meditation @ Mac: addressing anxiety in Mac community - Macalester College The Mac Weekly

The ornamental art of Bonsai are on display in the Hoop House at Hershey Gardens in the annual Bonsai: Living Art of the Susquehanna Bonsai Club exhibit of miniature trees and shrubs.

The Susquehanna Bonsai Club provides the seasonal exhibit to Hershey Gardens. Visitors are encouraged to vote for their favorite bonsai.

Bonsai refers to an ornamental tree or shrub grown in a pot and artificially prevented from reaching its normal size. This art form comes from an ancient Chinese horticultural practice, part of which was redeveloped under the influence of Japanese Zen Buddhism.

The ultimate goal of growing a bonsai is to create a miniaturized but realistic representation of nature in the form of a tree. Any tree species can be used to grow one.

The display opens Friday, Oct. 11, 2019, and runs through Saturday, Nov. 3, 2019. The exhibit is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, including Saturdays and Sundays, and is included in admission to Hershey Gardens.

General admission is $13.50 for visitors ages 13-61, $12.00 for seniors (ages 62 and up), and $9.50 for juniors (ages 3-12); children under age three are free. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

For more information, please visit HersheyGardens.org.

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The miniature world of bonsai on display at Hershey Gardens - PennLive

The Beat Generation included some of the most influential,controversial, and celebrated writers of the twentieth century. Jack Kerouac,Allen Ginsberg, and William S. Burroughs were among many whose experimentalwriting inspired the 1950s and 60s counterculture. In Whatcom County, literaryhistory and local history converge on Jack Kerouac and Gary Snyders time asNorth Cascades firewatchers.

Born in 1922, Jack Kerouac most famously wrote On the Road , an autobiographical novelabout his and Neal Cassadys countrywide adventures. The Dharma Bums and DesolationAngels recount Kerouacs firewatcher job from summer 1956just one yearbefore On the Roads publication.Kerouac passed away in 1969 due to alcoholism, but his influence lives on.Notably, he coined the term Beat Generation and wrote spontaneous prosenonstopsentences that flow like breath, as in jazz and meditation.

Born in 1930, Gary Snyder won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetryin 1975 for Turtle Island. Snyderspent his early life mainly in King County and Oregon which, along with ZenBuddhism, inspired his poetrys natural emphasis. He was really the first sortof poet-environmentalist, with the exception of, say, John Muir or Thoreau,says literary scholar and Western WashingtonUniversity professor Christopher Wise.

Although brief, these writers North Cascades adventureshave inspired similar excursions by many of their readers.

Gary Snyder was a firewatcher at Crater Mountainin 1952 and SourdoughMountain in 1953. He convinced fellow poet Philip Whalen to become afirewatcher, and kept a journal published in Earth House Hold (1969).

Snyder first visited Bellingham while growing up in KingCounty, and visited friends there during both firewatcher trips.

There is this legend about Gary Snyder and Jack Kerouaccoming into Bellingham and visiting Cocoanut Grove, Wise says. A 1953Earth House Hold passage says Jackshowed Snyder the bar. However, the date does not match Kerouacs trip and Conversations with Gary Snyder by DavidStephen Calonne (2017) mentions one Jack Francis as a friend of Snyders inBellingham.

Snyder made later Bellingham trips, including poetryreadings at Village Books and North Cascades Institute in 2004. Havingclimbed mountains since 1945, Snyder knew the scenery well.

When Kerouac was in Whatcom County, he had an encounterwith a culture, with an experience of nature that he had never had before,says Wise. For Snyder, I think being here was more an extension of what he wasalready familiar with in Oregon.

Kerouac and Snyder met in 1955, the year San FranciscosSix Gallery reading featured Snyders Berry Feast and Ginsbergs Howl.Snyder introduced Kerouac to Zen Buddhism and the firewatcher job while theylived at Snyders Mill Valley, California cabinthe experience behind KerouacsThe Dharma Bums.

Jack Kerouac spent 63 days at DesolationPeaks lookout station in the summer of 1956, resulting in Desolation Angels. He never spotted any fires,and had only brief radio contact with the U.S. Forest Service.

DesolationAngels (published in 1965) has three parts: Desolation inSolitude written in 1956, Desolation in the World written in 1956, andPassing Through written in 1961. The first, Kerouacs firewatching journal,describes his struggle with boredom, isolation, and a self-confrontation youdont really see in his other narratives, Wise says. The journal replacesKerouacs spontaneous prose with meditations on Hozomeen Mountain, comparing itto the Void.

For people who really admire Kerouac, it can be afrustrating novel because of the rambling nature, says Wise. But I think ithas a real heartfelt spirituality that still speaks to people today.

From Marblemount and State Route 20, Kerouac hitchhiked toSeattle through Concrete, Sedro-Woolley, and Mount Vernon. Desolation in theWorld returns to spontaneous prose as Kerouac enjoys Seattles burlesque andreunites with friends in San Francisco. TheDharma Bums (1958) describes Desolation Peak in spontaneous prose, moreoptimistic in hindsight.

Desolation Peak may have been Kerouacs last realadventure, as Passing Through recounts following trips more cynically.Visiting Tangier (a Beat cultural hub) in 1957, Kerouac felt nausea concerningexperience with the world at large and lamented On the Roads newfound fame. BigSur (1962) is Kerouacs only other novel set afterward, chronicling laterhealth struggles.

To Kerouac, Beat meant beaten down but also upbeatand beatific. This sentiment resonates with his life story and with readersfollowing the same road.

Hiking Desolation Peak takes a 10-mile overnight trip,Crater Mountain a 19-mile daytrip, and Sourdough Mountain a 10-mile daytrip.Lookout towers still stand at Desolation Peak and Sourdough Mountain.

Poetson the Peaks by John Suiter and a State Route 20 plaquenear Desolation Peak commemorate the Beats mountain adventures. Still, WhatcomCounty feels the Beats influence in other ways.

I see a lot in their writing that resonates with thisparticular county, says Wise. And some of their values, their ideals, theirexuberance, the things that they loved, the experimental nature of their workIthink theres an openness to that here.

In the North Cascades, Whatcom Countys literature enthusiasts can hike further off the beaten path.

Featured photo by Christopher Wise

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The Beat Generation in Whatcom County: Jack Kerouac, Gary Snyder, and the North Cascades - whatcomtalk.com

Updated October 06, 2019 11:54:26

Riley Lee will never forget the first time he heard the shakuhachi a Japanese bamboo flute on a record his brother brought home to Hawaii in the late 1960s.

"It was as if some sentient being was talking directly to me," he says.

"Back then you couldn't loop things. So I took the needle off and I wore out that little track in the LP just having to lift it up and play it again."

The track was a collaboration between jazz clarinettist Tony Scott, Shinichi Yuize, who played the koto, or Japanese board zither, and shakuhachi player Hozan Yamamoto.

As a teenager, Dr Lee had no idea that the experience would set off a chain of events that would define his life.

Or how the gaps in the music the silence would come to be as important to him as the melodies he would play.

He has come to embrace Zen Buddhism, but says silence "transcends single religions": "To understand ourselves, to be more self-aware, requires that silence."

The shakuhachi was introduced to Japan from China in the 8th century, and Zen Buddhist monks have used it in meditation over the past 400 years.

Dr Lee became the instrument's first non-Japanese grand master in 1980, and completed a PhD in the Zen repertoire of the shakuhachi tradition at the University of Sydney in 1992.

He had originally wanted to learn Chinese at school to engage with his father's culture and language. But not enough people signed up, so he decided Japanese was the "next best thing".

On a subsequent trip to Japan, Dr Lee was browsing in a shakuhachi shop, planning on bringing one home with him.

He asked the shop owner how to tell the difference between a cheap and an expensive shakuhachi.

"He could have just sold me a more expensive flute because I had the money," Dr Lee says, "but he looked at me and he said: 'Do you really want to know?'"

The answer was yes. Dr Lee was introduced to a teacher and he spent the next seven years in Japan, learning how to play the shakuhachi.

For Dr Lee, silence is what separates notes and creates melody. But he says total silence is an "impossibility" like knowing infinity, or God.

"We hear our heartbeat; I hear my tinnitus," he says.

Silence has sacred qualities in Zen Buddhism, but it is also important in many other religions.

This weekend, a conference at the Australian Catholic University is exploring notions of sacred silence in literature and the arts.

Its convenor, Michael Griffith, says silence is a way for him to access godliness, and acts as a "gateway to our own inner understanding and our own self-knowledge".

He was raised a Catholic, and now affiliates himself with the Quaker community, as well as taking his Catholicism to a new level through his commitment to the Benedictine community.

He finds himself drawn to the role of oblate a lay person who continues life outside a monastery but remains highly spiritually connected.

Stillness and silence are integral parts of his spiritual practice, and he says these qualities help him open up "to what is around us with more intensity".

Many of his students come from a background where they've either "rejected traditional religions, or they are searching for something new".

They find an "inner reality" in literature, poetry and fiction that "gives them a taste of something beyond the material, digital world that enmeshes them all".

Dr Griffith uses reading to teach the sacred quality of silence without leaning on traditional religion.

He says across religions, silence acts as a reprieve from the unreal "all the digital data, the news and the fantasies which clog our mind and our capacity to be still".

Cultivating the mindset needed to play the shakuhachi has taught Dr Lee that the best way to understand silence is to become it.

"Silence is a responsibility, or an action," he says.

"No matter how silent the room or the situation or the countryside if we're not silent within ourselves, it's even noisier than when we are distracted by outside sound."

Dr Lee sees silence as a sacred element each of us can cultivate.

"We have a responsibility to ourselves, to experience it. If only a little bit before we die, then the big silence happens."

Topics:buddhism,sacred,books-literature,catholic,meditation-and-prayer,quakers,university-and-further-education,world,music,arts-and-entertainment,sydney-2000,japan

First posted October 06, 2019 07:00:00

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Riley Lee fell in love with the shakuhachi but it's silence that really moves him - ABC News

navneet.vyasan@htlive.com

Born to French-Canadian parents, Jack Kerouac excelled in sports from a very young age. Initially, never interested in literature, Kerouacs athletic pursuits won him a sports scholarship at Columbia University in the early 1940s.

At the same time, Allen Ginsberg, also won a scholarship at Columbia University and then met Lucien Carr. Carr, a well-read academic, was popular for his views and writings, which were infamously anti-establishment.

This is the time when, the core members of the Beat Generation Kerouac, Ginsberg, Carr, Herbert Huncke and William S Burroughs would go on to start a movement that would inspire generations to come. Through their prose and poetry, they would advocate spiritual awakening, purification, and illumination through heightened sensory awareness. This, they argued, might be induced by drugs, jazz, sex, or, in the later years, Zen Buddhism. But it was Kerouacs book titled On the Road, and his friendship with Ginsberg, that made headlines every now and then.

In the 1960s, as their writing gained momentum, adoration was closely followed by denunciation. However, their works, in time, influenced these popular trends, then engulfing the world.

The hippie movement

I was surprised, as always, by how easy the act of leaving was, and how good it felt. The world was suddenly rich with possibility, wrote Kerouac in his seminal work, On The Road. Published in 1957, this part travelogue part novel, took Kerouac only three weeks to write. Written in a single, effortless flow, the book was inspired by Kerouacs travel across the rapidly changing post-war United States.

Cited by legendary artistes including, Bob Dylan, Jim Morrison and David Bowie as an influential read, Kerouacs work inspired a generation of hippie trails. The quest for soul searching, lied in travel, and for him, the journey he underwent before writing the book, was just a start. Unsurprisingly, American teens read the book cover-to-cover and before late, he became a literary icon.

The manuscript of On the Road

In fact, the term hippie was introduced in the 1960s. Before that, the American media coined the term, beatnik, to describe Americans, setting on a long journey inspired by Kerouacs writings. His works, acquired a global reach after hippies became prevalent around the world. The trail, required Americans to fly to Europe, which is where it would start. The final stop, more often than not, being Southern India, the travellers used the passes through pre-revolution Iran, and Afghanistan, before it was invaded, finally crossing over to Pakistan and entering India before settling in the southern states of Goa and Kerala.

Countercultures

Arguably, nothing influenced music and literature the way counterculture did. Constantly associated with liberation, one can see the rise of ideals of pacifism, LGBT acceptance and marijuana legalisation when one reads works like Post Office by Charles Bukowski or Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S Thompson.

Counterculture literature grew with time when authors, notably, used their writings as a tool to critique the establishment that was governing them. Risking imprisonment and sedition charges, Kerouacs contemporary, Allen Ginsberg penned his much acclaimed poem, Howl. Ginsberg regularly mentions Kerouac in his works.

Allen Ginsberg in Banarasin 1963(HT PHOTO)

What is obscenity? And to whom? he wrote in the initial pages of his book, Howl and Other Poems. Ginsberg was frustrated that the rapidly growing American economy was masking the countrys military ventures. He accused the everyday white collar worker of ignoring the countrys atrocities. I saw the best minds of my generation who threw their watches off the roof to cast their ballot for Eternity outside of Time, & alarm clocks fell on their heads every day for the next decade, he wrote about how the US government was fooling them by luring them with jobs, as a way to mask Vietnam Wars atrocities. Subsequently, he had to face sedition charges.

Religion and spirituality

In Kerouacs final days, which would also mark the conclusive years of the Beat Generation, he set out in search of spirituality and was fascinated by Eastern religions. Ginsberg made a historic trip to India and Kerouac published, The Dharma Bums, what is now considered the hippie handbook.

My karma was to be born in America where nobody has any fun or believes in anything, especially freedom, he wrote. Raised a devout Roman Catholic, Kerouac after being introduced to Buddhism, mentions Bodhisattva frequently in his works which followed The Dharma Bums. Moreover, this was the early 1960s, when hippies, in their Volkswagen buses, thronged the beaches of California chanting Hare Rama, Hare Krishna.

First Published:Oct 11, 2019 15:42 IST

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On the road to immortality - Hindustan Times

Few wise men and thought leaders for Indias national security once laughed at the mention of the maritime reach of the Deccan empires.

It was humorous to them, the idea that the kinds here had anything to do with the sea or had a blue water navy. Today, a simple search can bring up the history of the Chola, Pallava, Pandya and Chera dynasties.

Thank God for 4G and Wiki.

It is indeed a pity that history books and popular culture (aka Bollywood and even Kollywood) forgot the southerners post Independence. The laurels and glory of what happened to Delhi alone stayed as history.

Interestingly, most of it happened to Delhi than Delhi influencing things outside. Someday, if not the school kids, at least war colleges ought to be taught about the southern trio and their empire.

R Kalki Krishnamurthy in his epic mega serials of his era had chronicled the stories of the Pallavas and Cholas.

In his epic, Sivagaminyin Sabadham, he narrates the genesis of a town in honour of Mamalla (the great wrestler), Mamallapuram. The author, in fact, starts the story by saying clearly that with some facts available, he is using his imagination and opinion to create the rest of the story.

(A trivia to ponder on, was Sivagami Devi in Baahubali a character developed from Kalki's Sivakami ?)

China has to be appreciated both for its resilience and its desire to be modern with a clear understanding of their past.

Millennia of decay, misrule and indenture hasnt been good enough to make them forget their past.

The Belt and Road Initiative is an excellent example of it recreating its past trade routes.

An important aspect to remember in this initiative is the sea silk route. A route that the Chinese couldnt dominate on thanks to the blue water navy and gunboat diplomacy followed by the Cholas and Pallavas.

This virtual dominance of the sea route --- with full rearguard and dry-docks in islands all the way from Africa to China along important choke-points --- is a worthy past that post-colonial India didnt work on, except for a brief time in the 1970s and 1980s when India tried to resurrect Lakshadweep in the Arabian Ocean, and Andaman and Nicobar in the Bay of Bengal.

Mamallapuram port city might have been the epicentre of trade during the Pallava and Chola period. Apart from being the place from where the initiator of Shaolin tradition and Zen Buddhism, Bodhidarma would have most likely sailed on his mission.

A port that should have most likely been a key pivot to supply the troops in the conquest of Lanka when they were caught in a stalemate during Arul Muzhi Vermans (later on Raja Raja Cholans) campaign (will be good to read Kalkis Ponniyin Selvan for the folklore part!).

A port city that probably had schools on stone masonry to train masons who built huge temple complexes in India and in many places in the Indo-China region.

Like all good things the sun literally set on this port when it was abandoned by the East India company. The red coats preferred to build their safe house in Fort St. George and make Madras (Chennai) their capital.

A port with not enough draft was deemed fit to house the garrison for safety and to command the high seas. A location that had no great geographical features or resources to attract an attack but with a good vantage to defend the bay and hinterland.

Similar to the work done by the Chola dynasty, it appears that our incumbent PM has started the charm and awe mission to position this land in a contest for every inch of high mountain passes or deep seas.

This is a long game that will have to be fought both internally and externally.

Patience is the virtue in this game where there are no permanent enemies or friends.

Team India under its current Captain has aptly picked this important trading port of the old days, Mamallapuram, to have the informal meeting. Coincidentally, the point persons for Team India in foreign affairs and finance both seem to come from near Woraiyur, the ancient capital fo the Cholas.

The long walk over the high passes or the perilous sailing over the deep seas continues for Team India. It is good to see that the Captain and his team are all aboard on this long voyage!

Continue reading here:
Mamallapuram: Then And Now - Swarajya

Raji Pillai

The picturesque Villa Montalvo in Saratoga is the venue for the Bay Areas first South Asian Literature and Art Festival (SALA 2019).

The festival, which opened Oct 6, is presented by the Art Forum SF, a non-profit that promotes all visual, literary and performing arts emerging from South Asia, and the Montalvo Arts Center, in collaboration with the University of California, Berkeley, Institute for South Asia Studies.

The festival goes from noon to 5pm daily, with different panels every hour on topics spanning art, literature, non-fiction and film.

Harsha Ram, professor of comparative literature at UC Berkeley, spoke with beloved actor Deepti Naval. The session started with a video collage of scenes from several of Deepti Navals movies. She has acted in more than 90 films. A film she directed, Do Paise ki Dhoop, Chaar Aane ki Baarish is soon to be released on Netflix. She writes poetry in two languages, and has published a book of Hindi poetry and another in English.On the response to the art films in which she made a name for herself, she recounted that film producer NC Sippy said to her Dont change: dont put on makeup, lehengas and do dances. What you have brought is something we dont have.

She read a poem in Hindi, Registan ki Raat from Lamha Lamha, and mentioned that she has posted her poems on YouTube. A collection called The Silent Scream in Black Wind and Other Poems," stemmed from observing women at a mental institution. She read two moving poems from the collection.

On the opening day, painter Rekha Rodwittiya discussed her reflections at age 61 with Dr Prajit Dutta of Aicon Gallery, NY, with images of several of her paintings appearing on a screen.

Speaking in winding sentences, she painted a colorful picture of her life and art. In the late 1970s, she was a student of art at the MS University in Baroda, Gujarat, which then had a very fecund and wonderful environment of discourse.

In 1982 there was a seminal space of change, she said. Soon after, she read Salman Rushdies Midnights Children and Alice Walker (whose 1982 novel The Color Purple won a Pulitzer and was also made into a movie). It was a watershed moment and gave South Asian artists and writers the confidence to tell their stories differently.

Later, she studied at the Royal College of Arts in London. Her years in London were formative: she did not need to validate or explain her history. There she felt that each thread in a fabric is significant regardless of the color it is dyed.

Poetry can transport you in a way that prose cannot, said moderator Ritu Marwah in a conversation with poets Athena Kashyap and Tanuja Mehrotra Wakefield.

Kashyap has written Crossing Black Waters and Sitas Choice. Her family emigrated from Lahore in Pakistan. She read Partition Story, based on a true story from her family, and a poem about Leela, her domestic help in India.

Wakefield, author of The Undersong, grew up in Cleveland to Indian immigrant parents. She said she is inspired to write on long walks. She read a short poem titled Fear and Reverie.

Wakefield referred to her second poem as speaking the unspeakable. She was a brown girl trying to grow up in a very white environment. The poem is called Skin Hymn. It begins:

Hamilton, you promised medung for Valentines Day,because it would match my skin.

An audience member asked whom she wrote for? Wakefield replied with a quote from Yeats. Out of our argument with others, we make rhetoric. Out of our arguments with ourselves, we make poetry.

Next, Prof Harsha Ram of the Institute for South Asia Studies was in conversation with Minal Hajratwala and Siddharth Dube, LGBTQ writers.

Hajratwala read a poem on her childhood experience of Hinduism, and another, Insect Koan, that draws upon her experience with Zen Buddhism.

Dube, a non-fiction writer, was involved in the activism that led to the reading down of section 377 of the Indian Penal Code which criminalized homosexuality. He read two sections of his book, An Indefinite Sentence. The first was personal, about his encounter with the Delhi police in 1988, where homophobic insults were hurled at him.

Moazzam Sheikh, writer, translator and editor of an anthology of South Asian literature, spoke with Bay Area writers Nayomi Munaweera and Shanthi Sekaran, both with books on motherhood, childhood and immigration.

Munaweeras first book, Island of a Thousand Mirrors, about the civil war in Sri Lanka, was a broad portrait. In her second, What Lies Between Us, about the journey of a mother and daughter from Sri Lanka to America, she wanted to write a more intimate story, taking a closer look at a character.

The character has committed a terrible crime and is in jail. Her challenge was to make the reader feel empathy toward the character. She read a portion from the beginning, and remarked that it is a cautionary tale about the culture of silence, and what happens when silence is unbreakable.

Shanthi Sekarans book Lucky Boy is set in the US. She spoke of her characters Soli, who is Mexican, and Kavya, who is Indian-American. She read from a section where a friend tells Kavya, I hear youre trying to have a kid. And then proceeds to give her perspective on what it will be like. They will suck you dry, she says.

The Lucky Boy of the story is preverbal: Shanthi spoke of the research she did into children who were adopted or fostered as toddlers. Their experience is very different from that of an infant, or of an older child who has learned to speak.

Munaweera commented that in her early writing, she paid homage to writers like Rushdie and Arundhati Roy. Now she claims Americanness: We are claiming that we are as much American as we are South Asian.

When Sheikh commented that Lucky Boy creates a space where two minorities, South Asians and Mexican Americans, dont have to negotiate political space, Shanthi responded that her characters are all South Asians in general; she made Soli Mexican only because she wanted to tell the story of crossing the southern border of the United States.

Journalist Raghu Karnad, writer of Farthest Field, spoke with Jonathan Curiel, a journalist with The San Francisco Chronicle.

During the audience Q&A, a woman remarked on the account in the book that in the spring of 1943 there was a Japanese invasion of India and the same ship that bombed Pearl Harbor attacked India.

On the scarcity of stories about women, Karnad commented that womens stories, which he called the other half of human experience, were not captured earlier in history.

On view in the Open Space Gallery was Revelations: The Evolution of Modern and Contemporary Indian Art, with paintings by Jamini Roy, Anjolie Ela Menon and MF Husain, among others.

Tushar Unadkat was an engaging MC for the event. In keeping with SALAs support of all performing arts, troupes of dancers (children and adults) came and performed in front of the villa between each session, their colorful costumes, charming dances and lively music adding a celebratory touch to the event.

More events remain in the festival through Oct 18.

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SALA 2019 provides engaging fare for South Asians in the Bay Area - indica News