Drinking Kvass and then we talk Sloe – 19 local drinks you need to try
What’s your signature drink? Everyone knows vodka, wine, whiskey, beer – but what about feni, amaro, or aragh sagi? A new graphic from JohnSlots offers a shot of knowledge about the drinks from around the world you won’t have tried.
There are more drinks out there than the lager you’ll find on tap at a chain pub. Aperitif to digestif, Anglo-Saxon hero drinks to chasers for beer, you’ll only find a truly unique drinking experience if you’re willing to travel for it.
A new graphic from JohnSlots reveals the international drinks you’re less likely to have heard of, ranging from the rice drink brem from Bali to makgeolli in South Korea – and covering a few more familiar names along the way, like mead (and maybe gløgg).
The infographic offers the ingredients involved in each drink, including everything from spirits and spices to fruit and vegetables. There are flavours like cashew and coconut, dates, carob, or even artichoke, so whatever your taste and wherever you go, there’s bound to be something to tantalise your taste buds. Wine Bright Lakka Diamond
As well as the name and flavour of the drink, you can find out a bit about their backgrounds, and how they stand out as a symbol of the local identity. After all, to find the heart of a culture, go straight to the food and drink!
Some of the more curious beverages include:
Patxaran – comprising both coffee and either cinnamon or anise flavours, this Spanish drink has a lot going on. It’s usually served after meals, in theory to to aid digestion.
Akvavit – flavoured with spices and built on spirits (mostly Brännvin), the Swedish drink “akvavit” literally translates as “water of life”, and is often drunk after a traditional song has been sung.
Gløgg – a hot and fruity mulled wine, gløgg is generally served around Halloween and Christmas, often with a Norwegian rice pudding called risgrøt.
Lakka – cloudberries are an amber-coloured fruit similar to raspberries and blackberries. They’re the key ingredient in lakka, a Finnish liqueur.
Jenever – Jenever is the Dutch drink that eventually gave rise to gin. Flavoured with juniper, it comes in two variants: oude (old) and jonge (young), where the former contains at least 15% malt, and the latter less than 15%.
A drink is more than the sum of its parts. It’s a distillate of its culture – these are the drinks you’ll struggle to get outside of the regions where they’re made. They’re made for the locals, and it’s the best way to get a taste of the local heritage.
To see the rest of the unusual drink options and find an curious shot or sipper to try on your next holiday, have a look at the full infographic on the JohnSlots site here.
GRAMMY-nominated British singer, songwriter and producer MNEK has returned with an official video for his powerful and emotive new single, “Paradise.”The striking visuals take you on a man’s isolated journey through pyramids, brutalist buildings and a dystopian landscape of other metaphorical images. Watch The FADERpremiere HERE.
“Paradise,” which features the iconic guitar riff from Ultra Nate’s iconic 1997 dance smash “Free,“ sees MNEK venture into new territory both as a songwriter and as a vocalist. An evocative, vital and lyrically thought-provoking R&B song comprised of ominous throbbing bassline and skittish beats, “Paradise” allows the singer to exhibit his distinct and majestic vocals, as he explores a newfound fragility with his falsetto on the song’s dark and emotionally stirring chorus.
The 22-year-old explains, the track is about how – with all that’s going on in society today – sometimes escaping the harsh realities of the world can be a freeing and cathartic experience, with the use of the sample coming about in response to the current trend in commercial dance music. MNEK says:
“Around the time I wrote ‘Paradise’, so much dance music was coming out and doing well with literally any 90s R&B song as the main topline, of the whole song. It really bothered me!” he explains. “So, I decided to sample a dance song for an R&B track. I’ve always loved ‘Free’ by Ultra Nate, so it was such an honour to have the blessing of the writers of the song to sample it for ‘Paradise’.”
Director, Ciaran Lyons elaborates –
“I think the themes of MNEK’s track will resonate with a lot of people. What grabbed me was the underlying idea of the different responses elicited by the chaos of the modern world – the desire to escape from the real world into a fantasy paradise vs the possibility of standing strong and separate from all the madness and cruelty, in the hope of preserving something better. We have this beautiful human walking through a fantasy landscape made from symbols of growth and decay, never stopping, never getting involved, but coming out the other end still intact, and still beautiful.”
MNEK Photo Credit: Dexter Lander
“Paradise” follows 2016’s infectious single “At Night (I Think About You)”, as well as global smash hit and multi-million selling single “Never Forget You,” featuring Zara Larsson.
Just what are pet owners looking to gift their furry family members this holiday season? Pet product manufacturers have listened to their customers and the trends are going toward toys, treats and accessories among most popular options. According to the 2017-2018 American Pet Products Association (APPA) National Pet Owners Survey half of dog owners and 39 percent of cat owners buy gifts for their pets for Christmas or Chanukah. The Survey also reveals that dog owners spend an average of $14 on any gift for their canines while cat owners spend an average of $12. Below is a range of gifting ideas to cover everyone from the always nice to the sometimes naughty.
Stocking Stuffers
Dogs that love to play fetch will go wild for the Orbee-Tuff® Holiday Balls by Planet Dog. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes to fit all winter holidays. Owners can throw a snowball indoors and outdoors, stuff their pets’ stocking with coal or give them some peace and quiet. Orbee-Tuff® balls are chewy but durable that will keep dogs entertained all season long.
Price: $13.95 www.planetdog.com
When it comes to the holidays, owners have to stick to the classics. That’s why they can’t forget about Purina’s Beggin Strips, Friskies Party Mix and Busy Beggin Twisted. These favorites are offered in 6 ounce packs making them great for stockings and even have a ‘To’ and ‘From’ tag, so pets know who to lick and thank. The Friskies specially designed Party Mix is holiday themed with snowmen, stars and evergreen trees.
Price: $3.49 www.purina.com
Busy owners looking for a cute stocking all ready to go might like Dog Stockings by Pet Factory. Filled with colorful raw-hide bones and holiday shaped treats that dogs can enjoy by the fire while the rest of the family opens presents, this makes for a convenient option for any gift-giving owner this holiday.
Price: $13.99- $15.99 www.petfactory.com
Dress to Impress
Holiday gatherings bring families together so make sure the entire family is looking their best. The Cassandra Party Dress by Pooch Outfitters perfect for holiday parties, pictures and more. Every dog will feel glamourous with the sequin and lace applique top, rosette bow at waist and layered tulle skirt. Its Velcro opening makes it easy to get on-and-off and can be found in sizes XXS-L.
Price: $38.00 www.baxterboo.com
Canine companions will be in style for the holiday season with the Snowman Party Premium Collar & Leash Set from Country Brook Design. This festive set is made of durable, comfortable polyester and the collar features a metal side-release buckle with a brilliant, shiny finish.
Price: $19.95 www.cbpetz.com
The Jackson Poop Pick-Up Pouchby A Pet with Paws makes a unique, stylish and functional gift for every dog mom out there. Not only is this bag fashionable, but it’s eco-friendly, cruelty-free and vegan too! The discrete small opening on the backside makes it easy to access poop bags. This vibrant red accessory will be sure to add a “poop” of color to any walk or adventure with Fido.
Price: $21.50 www.apetwithpaws.com
The Backcountry Pattern Nylon Collar by Hamilton is a subtle way for both rugged and fashionable pets to show off their holiday spirit. The jacquard ribbon overlay pattern fits the wintertime theme without calling out any one specific holiday. It comes with a custom buckle and cuts are finished away from the neck to avoid irritation.
Price: $7.99- 11.99 www.hamiltonproducts.com
Pawliday Fun
The Kitty Tippy Cardboard Cat Scratcher by K&H is an interactive toy with an optional tippy rocker that rocks back and forth encouraging them to play with the balls in the middle. It also includes a middle scratching surface and small packet of catnip that appeals to their playful instinct and keeps them busy while guests are over.
Price: $25.99 www.khmfg.com
What easier way to get Fido in the holiday spirit than with Lulubelles Ginger Snapped and PupSaverPower Plush Toys by Huxley & Kent. This is a gift that gives back too, as $2 is donated to a local charity for each toy sold. Made with soft plush on the outside and fused with tough plush on the inside, this will be a favorite out of Fido’s toy pile.
Price: $7.99-21.99 www.huxleyandkent.com
Forget about making a gingerbread house, try making a Pet Cake by Lucky Paws LLC. There is a dog and cat version and they are simple to make. No need to be Betty Crocker, just mix, microwave and decorate and it’s done. People get the fun of baking without be tempted by the sweets at the house. The holiday kit includes one re-usable pan, one holiday flavored mix, and one frosting mix! Cooks in less than three minutes.
Price: $9.99 www.ilovepetcakes.com
Posh’d Pets and Gifts
FurHaven’s NAP™ Sofa Pet Beds are cozy, affordable and can be the coziest gift for Fido. Thick foam bases and wide bolsters stuffed with high-loft recycled fiber, provide cozy support for pets of all ages to ensure a longer, rejuvenating rest. Owners can choose four different fabric styles and the covers can be removed and washed easily. Available in four sizes: Small, Medium, Large and Jumbo.
Price: $26.99 www.furhaven.com
For those just jumping into the pet owner role, the 3-gallon Bubble-Shaped Aquarium Kit by KollerCraft, might be the perfect gift. It comes with everything needed to set up to a successful aquarium. An aquarium is not only decorative, adding beauty to a home, dorm, or office but it has been proven to provide therapeutic effects. It includes, water care conditioner that makes tap water instantly safe enabling immediate addition of fish, tropical fish food and a How-to Set-up Your Aquarium Guide.
Price: $29.99 www.kollercraft-products.com
Keep Fido warm and up on current style trends with the Loft Dog Coat by Kurgo, a reversible and quilt-shelled jacket. Ready for a city stroll or a snowshoe adventure through the mountains, this waterproof and lightweight jacket is perfect for any activity and is designed with mobility in mind while keeping dogs warm to the core. The Loft Dog Coat is available in five different colors, size XS-XL.
Price: $35.00 www.kurgo.com
In charge of bringing dessert to a holiday gathering? Don’t forget the pets! The Perfect Pooch Gift Pack by Exclusively Pet contains a variety of cookies and different flavors including Vanilla Wafer Cookies, Best Buddy Bits Peanut Butter Flavor and more. The rustic winter gift set doesn’t need to be wrapped and it makes for an ideal hostess gift, present for the dog–obsessed and, of course, for letting your Best Buddy know he’s loved.
Price: $22.99 www.exclusivelypet.com
With her stunning voice and intense drive, COOPER PHILLIP captures the undivided attention of most people around her. COOPER has always been a small town girl with big dreams. Born in Russia to a family of classical musicians, her adolescent years were shaped by her grandmother and aunt. Her mother, a master violin player, toured the world with various symphonies. This separation led COOPER to take comfort in music at an early age where she was mesmerized by the vocal stylings of Ella Fitzgerald. She learned many of her songs, paying close attention to her pronunciation and vocal tone. At 12 years of age, COOPER went to live with her mother. It was a major adjustment for both of them, but her mom soon realized her daughter possessed a gift and encouraged her musical talents. Moreover, COOPER attended the prestigious Moscow State Classical Academy (she studied classical piano, theory, harp, jazz, blues, ballet and voice). Her vocal teacher at the academy introduced her to the music of Mariah Carey – COOPER was obsessed!
“I WOULD JUST LISTEN TO HER FOR HOURS, UPON HOURS.”
She diligently worked to expand her range and control her voice to impress both her audience and her teachers. She loved the challenge.
“[THERE’S] SOMETHING ABOUT BEING IN FRONT OF A [LIVE] AUDIENCE; AND WINNING A COMPETITION AT SUCH A YOUNG AGE, ONLY MADE ME MORE CURIOUS …. AND, I BECAME [MORE] INTERESTED IN SEEING WHAT I COULD DO WITH MY VOICE.”
She began singing every day, taking in the sounds of Barbra Streisand and learned both classical piano and harp.
Determined to pursue a career in music, COOPER’s mother allowed her to move to New York City at 17. With barely a dollar to her name, she worked and hustled, singing in weddings and clubs and sleeping in the storeroom of a restaurant where she sang. It wasn’t easy but she would not be deterred. After a few years in NYC, COOPER jumped at an opportunity to sing in Los Angeles. With a strong sense of direction, COOPER began pouring her heart into songs she would write for her debut EP, Walk A Mile. In writing, she found an outlet to tell her story of love and pain in soul-filled ballads like Black Box, Tough Love and her song, Silence. She’s performed her music at various venues in LA such as Viper Room, Soho House, Spaghettini, Hotel Café and Sayers Club.
Olympic Gold Medalist and Professional Boxer Anthony Joshua Enjoyed Time with Family at Nikki Beach Marbella
Today Anthony Joshua and family enjoyed a swim and a beach cabana at Nikki Beach Marbella. The group sipped on cocktails including a Piña Colada and Sex on the Beach while dining on an assortment of sashimi, sushi, kebabs and Nikki Beach’s signature beef sliders. The group soaked in the Spanish sun and embodied the Nikki Beach mantra “Celebration of Life.”
Nikki Beach Marbella opened in 2003 and is located onone of the finest white sandy beaches in Spain. The beach club is comprised of a swimming pool with VIP beds on a raised deck, large open air restaurant, centrally located octagon-shaped bar, Lifestyle Boutique and VIP terrace with spectacular views of the Mediterranean Sea.
In 1998, entrepreneur Jack Penrod introduced the world to Nikki Beach, the first and original luxury beach club concept that combines the elements of music, dining, entertainment, fashion, film and art into one. Today, the Nikki Beach concept has transcended its international venues and grown into a global, multifaceted luxury lifestyle and hospitality brand comprised of a Beach Club Division; a Hotels & Resorts Division; a Lifestyle Division; a Special Events Division and Nikki Cares, a 501c3 Non-Profit Charity Division.
Nikki Beach can now be experienced in: Miami Beach, Florida, USA; Saint Tropez, France; Saint Barth, French West Indies; Marbella, Spain; Marrakech, Morocco; Koh Samui, Thailand; Mallorca, Spain; Ibiza, Spain; Porto Heli, Greece; Monte Carlo, Monaco; Dubai, UAE; Bodrum, Turkey and Versilia, Italy. Nikki Beach has a pop-up location during the Cannes International Film Festival. The Hotels & Resorts division has properties in Koh Samui, Thailand; Porto Heli, Greece; Bodrum, Turkey and Dubai, UAE.
On a Holy Thursday in New Orleans, you’ll find locals packed inside an unassuming restaurant eating a green gumbo that’s one of the city’s most treasured traditions. The woman behind the dish is equally treasured and best known as the “Queen of Creole Cuisine”: Leah Chase.
Leah calls her pre-Easter stew of greens (and every meat imaginable) “Gumbo Z’herb” – a superfood mix of 21 ingredients, meats and greens with every teaspoon essential down to the last pinch of file.
Chef Steve Zucker would make it 31 delectable touches of spices, meats and veggies in homage to his culinary hero. Zucker’s tribute has a taste all its own and a fresh honor as one of Alabama’s “100 Dishes to Eat Before You Die.”
“She’s an institution – no one can touch Creole cooking like Leah,” offers Zucker – Executive Chef at Dauphin’s in downtown Mobile where Gumbo Z’herb is a menu favorite. At the age of just 17, North Carolina native Zucker traveled south to study Culinary Arts in New Orleans, where he apprenticed for another NoLa legend – Creole-Cajun guru John Folse. Those years soaking up classic Southern dishes had an impact that never left him, even after a degree at Rhode Island’s Johnson & Wales and chef stints in Las Vegas and Maui.
Leah and her husband opened Dooky Chase’s Restaurant in the late 1940’s – and over the years became legendary both in the kitchen and for gathering mixed race patrons in an era long before those boundaries were crossed in the mid 60’s. The diminutive always-smiling 94-year old has fed Presidents, celebrities from Duke Ellington to Ray Charles (who sang about her) and was the inspiration for Princess Tiana in Disney’s “Princess and the Frog.” Perhaps the country’s highest culinary honor – James Beard – has tapped both legend and protégé. Zucker has been invited to cook at the James Beard House, while Chase was named to the James Beard Foundation’s Hall of Fame among endless other honors.
Leah’s Z’herb (pronounced “zairb”) features smoked ham, sausage and brisket while Zucker adds Alabama Conecuh sausage, bacon and even turkey wings. Another Alabama product – the Smoke Pistol – adds the final flavor. “For me this has been a way to celebrate one of my life’s inspirations. Being honored for this version of her masterpiece is tremendous.”
Dauphin’s combines classic coastal cuisine with a sky-high panorama dubbed by OpenTable as one of the “100 Most Scenic Dining Views in America.” Dauphin’s is part of Bob Baumhower’s 13-restaurant gumbo known as Aloha Hospitality.
To learn more – visit their website: www.godauphins.com.
Visit Mobile shares the exciting news of Carnival Cruise Line extending their contract with the City of Mobile through December 2018.
Based off of surveys from passengers, the Carnival Fantasy is ranked number one in friendliness and hospitality within the Carnival fleet. On a normal day, 150 employees assist 5,200 passengers disembarking and embarking the ship handling luggage, parking vehicles and receiving trailer loads of food and supplies.
“We are excited and proud that Carnival Cruise Line has extended their contract for another year with Mobile – it shows their commitment to our city and to over 190,000 cruisers choosing Mobile as their port of preference,” says David Clark, President/CEO, Visit Mobile. “Carnival Cruise Line has ten brands and accounts for almost 50% of the global cruise market. We are excited to continue celebrating the Carnival Fantasy cruising from Mobile!”
Cruisers have seen a significant growth in Downtown Mobile with over a dozen new restaurants, shops and entertainment options that are open daily for them to enjoy before or after their cruise.
Visit Mobile continues to spearhead initiatives that improve the overall visitor experience. In partnership with area hotels who are offering Park and Cruise Packages, Visit Mobile has created a ‘Very Important Cruiser’ (VIC) program which includes welcome packets for hotel guests staying on the package and additional discounts to almost twenty attractions throughout Mobile, redeemable by showing their boarding passes.
Visit Mobile continues to manage a Facebook page that serves as a direct communication tool to incoming cruisers. With a steadily growing audience, “Cruising From Mobile” has become a resource for cruisers to get local information and learn all about the activities they can do while they are in Mobile.
As an alternative way to encourage cruisers to spend some time in Mobile, Visit Mobile has a team in place at the Alabama Cruise Terminal each time the cruise ship is docked. The team is there to answer any questions cruisers have and to hand out goody bags that has Mardi Gras beads, coupons and Visit Mobile’s Destination Guides.
In addition to all of the above, Visit Mobile has assigned a sales manager to strengthen travel agent relationships in key markets to continue to promote pre and post cruise packages.
Since the Fantasy’s first cruise departed last year, the City of Mobile Cruise Terminal has generated over $4.7 M in gross revenue. Over the course of the full calendar year, the terminal’s gross revenue is expected to exceed $6.4 M, over 190,000 cruisers will spend more than $18 M in Mobile and the overall direct impact is expected to exceed $35 M.
GRAMMY-nominated British singer, songwriter and producer MNEK has returned with an official video for his powerful and emotive new single, “Paradise.” The striking visuals take you on a man’s isolated journey through pyramids, brutalist buildings and a dystopian landscape of other metaphorical images. Watch The FADER premiere HERE.
“Paradise,” which features the iconic guitar riff from Ultra Nate’s iconic 1997 dance smash “Free,“ sees MNEK venture into new territory both as a songwriter and as a vocalist. An evocative, vital and lyrically thought-provoking R&B song comprised of ominous throbbing bassline and skittish beats, “Paradise” allows the singer to exhibit his distinct and majestic vocals, as he explores a newfound fragility with his falsetto on the song’s dark and emotionally stirring chorus.
The 22-year-old explains, the track is about how – with all that’s going on in society today – sometimes escaping the harsh realities of the world can be a freeing and cathartic experience, with the use of the sample coming about in response to the current trend in commercial dance music. MNEK says:
“Around the time I wrote ‘Paradise’, so much dance music was coming out and doing well with literally any 90s R&B song as the main topline, of the whole song. It really bothered me!” he explains. “So, I decided to sample a dance song for an R&B track. I’ve always loved ‘Free’ by Ultra Nate, so it was such an honour to have the blessing of the writers of the song to sample it for ‘Paradise’.”
Director, Ciaran Lyons elaborates –
“I think the themes of MNEK’s track will resonate with a lot of people. What grabbed me was the underlying idea of the different responses elicited by the chaos of the modern world – the desire to escape from the real world into a fantasy paradise vs the possibility of standing strong and separate from all the madness and cruelty, in the hope of preserving something better. We have this beautiful human walking through a fantasy landscape made from symbols of growth and decay, never stopping, never getting involved, but coming out the other end still intact, and still beautiful.”
“Paradise” follows 2016’s infectious single “At Night (I Think About You)”, as well as global smash hit and multi-million selling single “Never Forget You,” featuring Zara Larsson.
A keen collaborator, MNEK has also been involved with 11 UK Top 20 singles, and worked on tracks with global and breakout stars such as Beyoncé, Madonna, Kylie Minogue, Clean Bandit, Stormzy, Dua Lipa, MØ and Little Mix.Check out the MNEK Collection, on Spotify which is created by the man himself and includes all of these brilliant tracks – listen here
“Paradise” is a perfect example of an uncompromising artist who has cemented his position as one of the most innovative, respected and unique talents in British music today.
Check out MNEK’s fantastic performance of “Paradise” on Mistajam’s 1Xtra show. Click here to watch it back in full!
Atlantic Equatorial Africa has given African arts some of their most exceptional masterpieces. From the visual power of Fang art to the naturalist elegance of the Punu, some 325 works from this vast region are being brought together for the first time in the exhibition “LES FORÊTS NATALES”. Arts d’Afrique équatoriale atlantiqueat the musée du quai Branly – Jacques Chirac. This large collection of masterpieces, covering the 17th to the early 20th century, is designed to demonstrate the similarities, transformations and distinctive characteristics of the forms and arts of Atlantic Equatorial Africa, thus presenting an overview of its main artistic styles in a “classic” approach to art history.
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“LES FORÊTS NATALES”? A poetical choice of words as a nod to Guillaume Apollinaire*, the exhibition’s title refers to the Equatorial forest that forms both a geographic context and a unique natural setting at the origin of the works presented. Covering the south of the Republic of Cameroon and the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, the Gabonese Republic and the west of the Republic of Congo, this cultural area forms the birth place of a creative impulsion inherited from Bantu tradition and embodied in diverse representations that are reflected in two types of objects: statues linked to the cult of the ancestors and masks that express the numerous aspects of the spiritual entities that intervene in the way societies function.
The exhibition draws on the exceptional collection of the musée du quai Branly – Jacques Chirac, one of the richest in this field, and is supplemented by emblematic and often unique works conserved in public and private collections from Europe and North America. This exhibition has enabled the musée du quai Branly – Jacques Chirac to carry out various scientific analyses on a body of works from Atlantic Equatorial Africa, shedding new light on the methods- of production and composition of works from this region.
The exhibition itinerary reflects the movement of the populations of Atlantic Equatorial Africa since the 14th century, from North to South. It underlines the major stylistic elements, presented in four sections: North, East, Central, and South Atlantic Equatorial Africa.
* Verse taken from the poem Les Fenêtres by Guillaume Apollinaire,who placed great emphasis on the arts of Africa and Oceania in the early 20th century, notably by expressing his desire for non-European masterpieces to be given the same status as the finest specimens of Western statues.
The statues of ancestors and reliquary figures of the Fang (North Atlantic Equatorial Africa, first section of the exhibition) and Kota (East Atlantic Equatorial Africa, second section of the exhibition) are some of the most emblematic works of traditional African sculpture.
Carlos Martinez (aka Loso) is a celebrity makeup artist and Creative Director from the Bronx. He received his big break working with Melyssa Ford on the BRAVO hit show BLOOD SWEAT & HEELS. Eager to gain notoriety, Loso began working with additional well-known celebrities/personalities like PO Johnson, Claudia Jordan, Lil Mama, Tami Roman, Kamaiyah & Claire Sulmers (Fashion Bomb Daily).
As of late, he enters the fashion realm with his Street Style Fashion Post; and this fall, he drops his first collection of skull caps called MOOD BEANIES.