Once the perfect example of American small-town entertainment and instantly recognisable to millions of cinema-goers worldwide, the humble drive-in theatre is fighting a tough battle for survival.
As technology hurtles forward, converting an outdoor cinema to digital (to offer greater choice and film quality) can cost well over $150,000 and the industry typically doesn’t make a great amount of profit. Many face a hard decision: convert, or close.
It was not always this way though. In post-war America, public appetite for entertainment was great so with a large screen, projection booth and ample car parking space, a new pastime was born. Cheap and cheerful, drive-in theatres captured the public mood and even began to shape the films made at that time. The teen film genre swelled in line with the volume of young patrons keen to huddle together in the twilight hours; this in-car privacy ignited the conservative press, which coined the cinemas “passion pits”. More wholesomely, families found that they could watch over their young children and enjoy the latest films without worrying about noise. By the late 1950s, almost 5,000 drive-in cinemas were in operation.
The format emerged when auto sales manager Richard Hollingshead, Jr. took the logical progression from the now ubiquitous ‘drive-thru’ restaurant (a metaphor for the new consumer). Some sources claim that his idea was inspired by his overweight mother’s difficulties with conventional cinema seating, while others saw it merely as a sales platform for his company’s auto parts. Whatever the truth, Hollingshead Jr.’s first drive-in cinema opened in Camden, New Jersey in 1933 and had soon spread across the US.
Last year, only 371 drive-in theatres were in operation in the US. After its late 50s/early 60s boom the industry began declining due in part to rising land costs (and the relative profits of using the space for housing), and the restrictions that came from night-time, fair weather screenings. The advent of colour television, VCR and latterly TV on demand and online streaming have also been blamed, but the drive-in theatre is enjoying something of a comeback, albeit for artistic or nostalgic events. With the advancement of cheap, accessible equipment, it’s relatively easy to organise ‘guerilla drive-in’ showings online, which has brought the drive-in experience to a new audience.
There are a few original drive-in cinemas remaining, and well worth seeking out for an unusual date or family day out. Remember that warm clothes, collapsible chairs and mosquito repellent will make the experience much more comfortable. Horn-honking as a sign of appreciation is sometimes encouraged, but it’s always best to check. Why not try the following:
- Bengies Drive-In Theater (Baltimore, Maryland)
- The Harvest Moon (Gibson City, Illinois)
- Shankweiler’s Drive-In Theater (Orefield, Pennsylvania)
- Silver Lake Twin Drive-In (Perry, New York)
- Redwood Drive-In Theater (Salt Lake City, Utah)
A great online resource for drive-in information, history and trivia can be found here. Happy watching!
If clean surrounds, friendly, laid-back denizens and excellent food and drink are your thing, Portland, Oregon is a splendid place to spend a week or so and a great base for a tour of the Pacific Northwest.
Portland is a temperate city known for its warm, dry summers (peaking around 26°C). However, from November to April, showers are commonplace – it’s what keeps all those green spaces so lush and verdant. Incidentally, the rain is not rain per se (as us Brits know only too well), it’s more of a light drizzle. This is an ideal environment for growing roses which provides the city’s moniker ‘City of Roses’, and an annual festival with parades and dragon boat races.
A liberal city of writers, animators and musicians, Portland has a knack of attracting literate, creative people and holding onto them. Over the last decade or so, native musicians The Decemberists, M. Ward, The Dandy Warhols, Gossip and The Shins have found commercial success worldwide, returning occasionally for sell-out shows. The late Elliott Smith lived there during his teens, appropriating street names in song lyrics. Novelist Chuck Palahniuk even wrote an autobiographical piece on its weird and wonderful inhabitants (‘Fugitives and Refugees’) and still resides nearby.
Dissected by the Willamette River, Portland is noted as an environmentally-conscious city, with a number of green spaces, city parks and authentic Far Eastern-themed gardens. Further afield, Tillamook State Forest stretches out towards the west coast, while Gifford Pinchot National Forest lays further inland along the Oregon state line. Portlanders take to these forests for cycle rides on myriad dirt trails, camping and all manner of outdoor activities.
Unusually for the US, shopping in the area is not subject to irritable sales taxes. What you see on the tag is what you get, so those without means of calculation can stay on top of their dollars, and bag a few bargains. While there are the necessary shopping mall complexes, in Portland visitors can find smaller, home-grown independents such as Powell’s City of Books, a book store with more than a million new, used and rare titles. Many tourists delight in this style of commerce, and the opportunity to purchase one-of-a-kind bits and bobs, from handmade shawls to dodgy psychedelic artwork. All tax-free, of course.
Portlanders are proud, enthusiastic coffee drinkers. As a result, the city has a progressive coffee culture with independently-owned coffee houses roasting their own beans. Stumptown Coffee is one of the numerous locations that residents battle Portland’s grey winters in comfort. Beer is another much-loved consumable, and its popular microbreweries contribute to the annual Oregon Brewers Festival. Whatever your preference, you’ll find friendly, knowledgeable company in the coffee shops and bar across Portland.
Assuming you might want to explore the territory further, Portland is well-connected to other north-western American cities, and Canada. It’s a relatively easy two-and-a-half hour drive north to Seattle, which is larger and more industrialised place. From here, you can continue on to Vancouver by road, or take a boat to Victoria on Vancouver Island.
The phrase ‘once in a lifetime’ is bandied around somewhat freely these days. It should be attributed to something magnificent; something that encapsulates humankind at this point in history. Arguably one of the human race’s greatest achievements of the last century is the technology to hurl ourselves into space at 17,000 mph.
Unfortunately, as the UK government doesn’t have a space programme, NASA closed theirs last year and Russia’s is beset by setbacks, it’s unlikely that any of us will qualify as astronauts in the near future. So, how do you get that ‘once in a lifetime’ experience, for you and your family?
Witnessing a rocket launch from Florida’s cape, seeing its mighty ignition, feeling the ground shake and being deafened by the roar of its engines is the best alternative. In April, the American aerospace company SpaceX will launch their Falcon 9 rocket and dock a capsule to the International Space Station (ISS). So anyone visiting Florida around this time will have the lucky opportunity to experience its launch from a safe distance.
The SpaceX mission will demonstrate the craft’s potential as commercial cargo delivery to the ISS. This mission – and many others like it – marks a new age for space travel, where private companies and their investments are the ones to push technology forward.
Cape Canaveral’s proximity to the equator allows rockets to be launched in line with the Earth’s rotation with the safety net of the ocean below. For tourism, this is a rather beneficial arrangement; the cape is publicly accessible with a number of prime viewing spots and fairly frequent commercial launches.
The SpaceX launch will take place at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, so keep an eye here to follow the shifting launch schedules (and be boggled by the science). The nearby Kennedy Space Centre – which celebrates its 50th anniversary this summer – is a great place for a day out, where you can learn about NASA’s history.
For many observers, a rocket launch can be a strangely emotional; for others it’s simply the world’s best fireworks show. Either way, it’s a truly unforgettable experience.
If you consider some of the quintessential American looks of the last twenty years, ‘the home of the brave’ could be a close-fitting dictum. However, while some fads fade, others cross over into ‘classic look’ territory. Here are five American looks that have caught our eye.
The Modern Cowboy/Cowgirl
Early North American cowboys pinched ideas from Mexican livestock herders and Native Americans, whose clothes reflected their practical needs and environment. For the genuine cowboy or cowgirl today, little has changed stylistically since the 1800s; their work is essentially the same (with a few technological advances) so their work-wear is too. This particular style is somewhat synonymous with Texas, but is echoed through the battered cowboy boots and bandanas on city hipsters who’ve never seen a cow, let alone herded cattle.
Prime location: A rodeo in Fort Worth, Texas
The Wall Street Banker
While the archetypal financial worker can be found in most cities, it’s the Wall Street-er (think Patrick Bateman or Gordon Gecko) who takes this high-pressure career to the next level, whilst looking impeccable. It even has its own exclusive – and somewhat controversial – shopping boutique that revels in the affluent lifestyle. To watch the banker in its natural habitat, set an alarm (trading begins at 9:30am) and navigate the eight-block street.
Prime Location: Wall Street, Lower Manhattan
The Real Surfer
Not to be confused with a 90s internet user, surfers are ‘lightly dressed’ most of the time so their look isn’t difficult to replicate or spot. Their baggy board shorts are typically loud, and their long hair salty and tangled. They differ from their Cornwall counterparts by a distinct lack of wetsuits and shivering. Mavericks in Northern California attracts big wave surfers from all over with its surfing contests, and is a great starting point to spot the real deal. Otherwise, try Hawaii.
Prime location: The sun-kissed Californian coast
The Modern Rapper
Ever since Jay-Z declared that “oversized clothes and chains, we off that”, zeitgeist rappers and their followers have either smartened up or dressed down entirely (see: Odd Future). There isn’t much place for the baggy t-shirts of yesterday, and refined style (tailored blazers and suits) sits comfortably alongside bling. This look you’ll encounter anywhere with access to music television or the internet, and cities like Chicago, New York and Atlanta spawn some of the biggest recording artists today.
Prime location: New York City, New York
The Sports Mascot
This particular phenomenon is gradually creeping into the UK, but we’re still a long way from America’s love of sweaty individuals inside furry, anthropomorphic costumes. Find a decently-sized sport team and you’ll find its mascot, perma-grinned on the sidelines, a brash representation of the team’s name or values. Some of the more unusual mascots include a raven named after Edgar Allen Poe (Baltimore Ravens) and a pirate called Captain Fear (Tampa Bay Buccaneers). Also can be spotted hanging around theme parks.
Prime location: An American Football game
As the excitement in London heats up this summer, events will be kicking off in Luton with stars of the music world coming out in force for the biggest ever Love Luton Festival.
The festival commences on Friday 6th July with a music concert for 10,000 people at Popes Meadow. The UK’s hottest pop band The Wanted has been confirmed to perform with many more big acts to be announced shortly. The event will begin from 6:00pm, with gates opening at 4.00pm.
The celebrations continue with a Mela being held on Saturday 7th July and another music concert in the evening. One of the UK’s most successful new male singers Olly Murs is confirmed to perform on the night as well as Skepta, Sway, Mz Bratt and Lady Leshurr, with many more to be added to the line up. The celebrations begin from midday and gates open at 11am.
Sunday 8th July will create an explosion of colour and spectacular scenes in a carnival parade through the town centre before the weekend’s main event of the arrival of the Olympic Torch and evening ceremony.
The celebrations will conclude on the 9th July, however throughout the weekend there additional activities and entertainment being held all round the area and there really is something for everyone. So if you want to join in with the festivities book your car hire and come down to Luton.
An Early Bird ticket offer runs until 7 April, with prices (excluding booking fees) as follows. For further information, click here.
Friday 6 July: single ticket – £30, family of four tickets – £110
Saturday 7 July: single ticket – £32.50, family of four tickets – £120
Image by Vhari Lannigan.
Most of us may be wrapping up in scarves, hats and gloves to stave off the winter chills, but in Sacramento feather headdresses and elaborate bikinis are about to become the order of the day.
Next week the Brazilian Center for Cultural Exchange of Sacramento will be bringing its annual carnival to the streets of the Californian capital.
Following in the great tradition of the world-famous Rio de Janeiro carnival, the event is due to be a fiesta of colour and sounds, as costumed performers dance to the fun-filled Latino rhythms of traditional Samba bands.
Visitors can expect to get a real taste of Brazilian culture, with a range of regional food and drink available, while enjoying exotic acts including displays of bellydancing and the dance-like martial art of Capoeira.
Traditional music will meet contemporary during the event, with both live bands and DJs entertaining the crowds and getting the party started.
The Brazilian Center for Cultural Exchange of Sacramento is a non-profit organisation which helps at risk children and families in Brazilian and South American communities living in California, by promoting integration, education and social justice.
Money raised by the carnival (tickets $15 advance, $20 on the door) will go towards helping the organisation.
So if you want to get a little Latin flavour and enjoy some dancing in the street, all in the name of a good cause, then make sure you head to the annual Sacramento Brazilian carnival on Saturday, February 25.
Picture by sfmission.com.
This Easter, 20,000 pompadoured Rockabilly fans will gather on the Las Vegas Strip for one of the biggest events in their calendar – a four-day festival that celebrates an immortal 1950s subculture and those who continue to represent its scene.
Rockabilly weekender Viva Las Vegas takes place from 5th–8th April at the Orleans Hotel & Casino, drawing together key elements from this heavily stylised subculture; namely a strictly pre-1963 classic car show featuring 1,000 vintage vehicles, live rock and roll music, burlesque bingo, jive classes and Tiki pool parties. An inaugural Viva Las Bowling event offers ticket holders the unusual chance to knock pins with performers and pin-ups alike.
But perhaps we are getting ahead of ourselves. Rockabilly is a fusion of old-style rock n’ roll and country music that began in the United States in the 1950s. In the UK, Rockabilly influenced the Teddy Boy movement, who emulated their US counterparts with long coats, black drainpipe trousers and brothel creepers. Today, the movement continues to attract a large numbers of new followers.
Many famous musicians have dabbled with the Rockabilly sound over the years, including Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly and Johnny Cash, and more recently the revivalist singer Imelda May, whose 2012 album ‘Mayhem’ reached number three in the UK Album Chart.
As music is fundamental to the scene, the weekender’s line-up is impressive. 65 proponents of the genre – including Duane Eddie, The Ventures, The Polecats and over 20 international DJs – will appear over six venues. The full line-up of performing artists can be found here.
Engaged (or “far gone”, as it were) couples keen to solidify their love in the characteristic Rockabilly way marry at a mobile Rockabilly Chapel booked especially for the event. What could be more romantic – and memorable – than having a reanimated Elvis croon over your nuptials?
To order tickets for the Rockabillly Weekender or find out more about its schedule, visit www.vivalasvegas.net.
Preparations for the annual celebration of love and affection between two persons, otherwise known as St. Valentine’s day, are upon us. Nowadays, wherever in the world, you cannot escape the glory of February 14th; it’s a simple choice between politely boycotting the day or lovingly embracing it. Here we focus on what’s considered the most romantic destination in the United States, New York City. Alamo’s team have rustled up some guidance on surviving Valentine’s (day, week or month!) in The Big Apple.
Love it:
- Old school romantic
It goes without saying that no trip to New York is complete without a visit to Central Park. Embrace all of its romantic appeal and wow your valentine in a horse-drawn carriage, symbolic of a bygone era.
- Fine dining
Head to Pier 40, at West Side Highway and West Houston St. to board the impressive Hornblower Hybrid, claimed to be the sleekest yacht on New York Harbor, for a romantic four course meal with stunning views. Advance booking is a must.
- Out-of-town luxury
Get away from it all and indulge together with an overnight stay at the Roosevelt Baths in Saratoga Springs. Nestled in the southernmost foothills of New York’s Adirondack Region you can experience a choice of therapies and discover the refreshing benefits of the spa’s effervescent mineral waters.
Loathe it:
Rise above it
Guarantee time away from the romantic NYC crowds with a Grand Tour helicopter ride! You’ll see all the patriotic sites; including the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges, the famous Empire State Building and Yankee Stadium to name a few.
- Get out of there
New York State is abundant with attractions, hop into the driving seat and experience some Valentine freedom! From a scenic trip along the Delaware River or a historic journey through sites dating back to the 18th century on the Mohawk Trail; Be inspired.
- Out of the ordinary
Meander through the narrow, winding streets of Lower Manhattan to discover NY’s financial love affair. Hear first hand the informative and shocking secrets of how some traders made billion dollar profits whilst banks collapsed in one of the worlds most famous streets. The Wall Street tour might sound bizarre, but there’ll not be many couples cosying up here.
This week has seen the world’s media focussed on Holywood, California, for the announcement of the 2012 Oscar nominations.
With big name stars such as George Clooney, Meryl Streep and Brad Pitt all competing to take home a coveted golden statuette, it promises to be a glamorous affair.
If you want to get close to the movie glitz then there’s no place better than Tinseltown itself – Hollywood, Los Angeles.
We may not all have tickets for the Oscars, but that doesn’t mean you can’t rub shoulders with the stars in this magical towns where the films come to life.
Here are a couple of our favourite locations to experience the Hollywood atmosphere:
- Griffith Park and Observatory
Griffith Park is one of the biggest urban parks in the USA and features a host of attractions, including a golf course, miniature railroad and the Los Angeles Zoo.
You may not have heard of one of the park’s most famous locations, but you will almost certainly have seen it before. The Griffith Observatory has featured in numerous blockbuster films; it is the first place a Terminator appears in the film of the same name and it is the location for the climactic showdown in Rebel Without a Cause. The latter film’s star James Dean, one of Hollywood’s most famous anti-heroes, is commemorated outside the observatory with a memorial bust.
From the observatory you can also get a spectacular view across Tinseltown, including the world famous Hollywood sign.
- Walk of Fame and Hollywood Museum
Take a stroll through entertainment history, along Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street, where you will find the stars adorned with the names of hundreds of actors, musicians and others who have contributed to the arts. Find your favourites and imagine standing beside them at the unveiling ceremony.
While on Hollywood Boulevard, stop at the junction with North Highland Avenue and drop into The Hollywood Museum where you can find costumes and props from hundreds of classic movies, from Marilyn Monroe classic How to Marry a Millionaire to psychological horror Silence of the Lambs.
Wherever you go in Hollywood, California, you can’t help but get caught up in the movie magic.
For anyone with a taste for fermented grape juice or just passing interest in seeing one of the largest wine producing locations in the world, California might be your next holiday destination.
With its considerable wealth and variety of soil and micro-climates, California is an ideal place for temperamental grape varieties to flourish. Aficionados assert that ‘every year is a good year’ for the region’s winemaking due to its year-round sunshine and Mediterranean climate.
In keeping with California’s strong environmental movement, Vintners employ sustainable practices in their winemaking, including the use of animals for pest control, composting and recycling. As California is largely responsible for the growth of the US wine market in recent years, it’s refreshing to learn that wineries have a considerate approach to their environment.
Initial impressions of this sun-kissed region might come from Alexander Payne’s Sideways, in which two middle-aged men drive around the wineries of Santa Barbara, lauding Pinot Noir and being fairly disparaging about Merlot (apparently causing its sales in Western US to drop by 2%).
However, the real winemaking mecca is nearly 350 miles south along the coast. Napa Valley is an internationally-renowned touring region where grape varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel and Chardonnay are grown. There are more than 300 wineries, each offering guided tours, demonstrations and – of course – tastings. It almost goes without saying that driving tours of the area are popular with tourists, with around 5 million people visiting each year.
If you want to experience something a little less touristy (and enjoy some of the more unusual vino varieties), there are innumerable smaller, family-run vineyards in California, perfect for a long weekend escape. Many offer nominal tasting fees, so you can plot your route and not worry too much about spending money. Consider visiting Mendocino, Lodi, Amador or Santa Cruz. As California draws some 21 million wine lovers every year, it’s worth considering some of the smaller wineries in the hot peak seasons.
If you are visiting in April, July or September, the annual Californian Wine Festival hosts a number of events worth adding to your itinerary. The best tipples are on offer – including rare, vintage and reserve wines – and there are gourmet appetisers, seminars and live music. More information can be found here.
