oleh admin | Mar 30, 2025 | culture, events and festivals, festivals, recreation and leisure activities, tourist attractions
If you want to experience the charm of cherry blossoms combined with the serene ambiance of an ancient hot springs town, then the Arima Onsen Cherry Blossom Festival is your ideal choice. It’s just a half-hour away.
central Kobe
Arima Onsen is famous for its mineral-rich “gold” and “silver” thermal waters, believed to possess therapeutic qualities. Being one of Japan’s most ancient hot spring destinations, Arima combines historical charm with stunning natural landscapes. During springtime, the area comes alive as cherry blossoms adorn the banks of the Arima River, painting a serene and beautiful scene.
Arima Onsen Sakura Matsuri
The Arima Onsen Cherry Blossom Festival was initiated numerous years back to mark the onset of spring and the area’s beautiful cherry blossom season. Over time, this event has evolved into a cherished custom for residents as well as tourists, featuring celebrations timed perfectly with the prime blooming period of the cherry trees. Regardless of whether your visit spans just one day or extends over multiple nights, Arima provides a serene fusion of natural beauty, cultural experiences, and authentic Japanese allure, solidifying it as an essential stopover during the blooms.
sakura
(cherry blossom) season.
Festival Highlights
The Arima Onsen Cherry Blossom Festival features an array of stunning cherry blossom varieties, such as
Someiyoshino
The most prevalent type of cherry tree along with weeping cherries can be found at Zenpuku-ji Temple. The Arima River, bordered by these blooms, offers a serene riverside walkway ideal for casual walks and taking photographs. A notable attraction here is the evening lighting of the cherry trees, which causes the flowers to shimmer beneath lanterns until 10 PM nightly.
Another highlight is the traditional Geisha dances performed by Arima’s
Geiko
(The local term for geisha, pertaining to female entertainers proficient in traditional Japanese arts) provide guests with a unique chance to immerse themselves in genuine cultural practices within Arima’s historical ambiance.
Festival Activities
Past the breathtaking cherry blossoms, the Arima Onsen Cherry Blossom Festival provides an array of activities that enhance its appeal. Visitors can participate alongside locals in various traditions.
hanami
(Flower appreciation) outings, where individuals come together beneath blossoming trees and alongside riversides to savor meals, beverages, and one another’s companionship.
The food stands in the square offer a variety of regional specialties.
oden
(A dish featuring components such as daikon radish, fishcakes, and hard-boiled eggs)
yakitori
(grilled chicken skewers),
onigiri
(rice balls) and
takoyaki
(savory dough balls filled with octopus). Refreshing drinks like beer, wine, and sodas are available for enjoyment. Kids can participate in festive games and have the chance to win little prizes, enhancing the overall celebratory experience.
oleh admin | Mar 28, 2025 | entertainment, events and festivals, festivals, film festivals, news
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The
Sundance Film Festival
has discovered a new abode in the Centennial State.
The
long-running movie exhibition
, formerly located in Park City, Utah, has selected Boulder, Colorado, as its new home base, announced the Sundance Institute’s Board of Trustees.
announced Thursday
.
“Boulder boasts a close-knit community, unique natural allure, and a thriving arts culture, which makes it perfect for the festival’s expansion,” the statement noted. Competing locations included Cincinnati and Salt Lake City.
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“Ebs Burnough, the chair of the Sundance Institute Board, stated in an official release that they hold deep admiration for both the finalist cities and their respective communities… These entities submitted exceptionally robust applications and invested their efforts, enthusiasm, and dedication throughout the entire process,” he mentioned officially.
When will Sundance relocate to Colorado?
The Sundance Film Festival plans to officially relocate to Colorado starting from its 2027 event. For this year’s iteration in 2026, similar to past events, it will continue to be held in Park City and Salt Lake City. Established by filmmaker Sterling Van Wagenen, the Sundance Festival initially commenced in Salt Lake City in August 1978 under the title of the Utah/US Film Festival.
Sundance Film Festival 2025:
Here are all the top movies we watched, listed in order
Colorado is “delighted” to host the cinematic charm within its borders.
Gov. Jared Polis
stated in an official release, emphasizing that Colorado takes pride in “supporting the arts and film industry as a vital economic engine, significant source of employment, and essential element of our vibrant cultural landscape.”
The marketing group Visit Boulder expressed their deep honor over the city’s choice, according to CEO Charlene Hoffman in an official statement. Hoffman further stated, “Imagination, ingenuity, and self-expression define what makes Boulder unique, and we’re excited to host filmmakers and movie enthusiasts globally.”
The institute along with its board of trustees expressed their gratitude towards the festival’s long-term home and vibrant core, which has been hosting the event for over four decades—Park City alongside the state of Utah—as stated in Thursday’s announcement. They emphasized that Park City and Utah will remain integral parts of the festival’s legacy.
Review:
‘Atropia,’ ‘Twinless’ lead Sundance award winners. Check out these additional films we enjoyed.
The 2025 Sundance Film Festival, held in January, featured films like the war satire “Atropia” and the dark comedy “Twinless.”
collect top awards
, while the event
spotlighted other works
including “The Ugly Stepsister,” “Oh, Hi!” and “Pee-wee in His Own Shoes.”
At the red carpet event for the festival,
boasted star-studded appearances
from the likes of
Jennifer Lopez
,
Ayo Edebiri
,
Chloë Sevigny
,
Cynthia Erivo
and
Glenn Close
.
The upcoming Sundance Film Festival is scheduled to take place next year starting from
From Jan. 22 to Feb. 1, 2026
.
Contributors: Brian Truitt, Patrick Ryan, and Kim Willis, USA TODAY
The article initially appeared on USA TODAY.
The Sundance Film Festival is moving to Colorado after almost half a century in Utah.
oleh admin | Mar 27, 2025 | concerts, entertainment, events and festivals, festivals, music
The internationally renowned festival Untold, which originated in Romania, is scheduled to make its comeback in Dubai with its second edition from November 6-9. This time, the event will take place at a more expansive location: Dubai Parks and Resorts. Attendees can anticipate an enhanced and superior experience featuring a wide array of music styles and spectacular visual presentations.
“Driven by the enthusiasm and exhilaration that Untold Dubai brought to both performers and spectators, we have been encouraged to broaden the scope of the festival for its second installment in an even bigger and more enthralling venue,” stated Edy Chereji, co-founder of Untold Universe.
The new location boasts more than 25 million square meters of exciting attractions, featuring five distinct theme parks, thus offering “an ideal blend of entertainment and premier amenities,” according to the organizers.
Early bird tickets for the 2025 event will go on sale from March 28th.
The first edition of Untold Dubai surpassed expectations, drawing more than 185,000 enthusiasts globally.
In Romania,
Untold 2025 is set to occur from August 7-10.
.
irina.marica@romania-insider.com
(Photo source: the organizers)
oleh admin | Mar 24, 2025 | culture, entertainment, events and festivals, festivals, music
________________
;
The stage is ready for the Yenze Hip-Hop Culture Fest, an innovative event celebrating Uganda’s hip-hop culture.
Set for June 28, 2025, at the Lugogo Cricket Oval, the event seeks to bring together different generations.
artistes
and fans.
Addressing a media briefing on Monday,
Sheraton
Geoffrey Jeff Ekongot, from Hotel, shared his enthusiasm for the event.
“Hip-hop has matured,” Ekongot stated.
It has influenced countless individuals, encompassing those of us who are part of the older generations as well as the present youth.
The festival aims at rejuvenating the essence of hip-hop, following its evolution, and imagining its next chapter.”
The festival aims to showcase all five aspects of hip-hop: rap, breaking, DJing, fashion, and graffiti. Ekongot stressed that hip-hop extends beyond mere music; “It embodies culture, identity, and a robust economic ecosystem.”
Accompanying him at the press conference were Lagum the Rapper and King Honey, who represent the fresh wave of Ugandan hip-hop talent.
Lagum the Rapper, a rising star, looked back on his path into hip-hop and the impact of Uganda.
artistes
Similar to Navio, Ruyonga, Tucker HD, and Keko.
“Hip-hop in Uganda boasts a robust sense of community. This festival isn’t solely focused on performances; it’s also aimed at uncovering and motivating fresh talent,” he stated.
The event will include freestyle competitions, fashion exhibitions, and chances for artists, DJs, and designers to network. King Honey, recognized for her daring style, invited designers to join in.
“Hip-hop encompasses style as well. It’s an opportunity for us to back one another and develop collectively,” she stated.
Ekongot also pointed out the global acknowledgment that Ugandan hip-hop has achieved.
“Artists such as Xenson Senkaaba have showcased their graffiti work in France. Ugandan breakdancers have also gained prominence on international stages. We brought hip-hop to the State House, and remarkably, we witnessed the world’s first president who rapped,” he pointed out.
Provided by Syndigate Media Inc. (
Syndigate.info
).
