Robosapien dominates Christmas
October 24, 2006
The walking, talking robot known as the Robosapien has dominated Christmas lists for the last two years, and we’re not just talking children’s. Now he looks set to make it a hat-trick, with the third-generation Robosapien RS Media offering even more sophisticated robotic action to startle your pets and delight your visitors.
The new Robo co-ordinates 67 different movements and a wide array of speech responses, to which you can add your own by recording your voice onto an SD memory card. He has four separate personalities that can be modified using the supplied software and even plays music through his built-in 11-watt speaker.
The biggest advances from the last model however are the additions of a camera to the Robosapien’s head and an 1.9in LCD screen to his chest. These provide you with a robo-eye perspective of what he’s seeing and let you record and view videos and photos. Captured content can then be transferred to your computer via USB.
The Robosapien RS Media is priced at £299.99 and available to order now from Gizoo.
Related Links > http://www.gizoo.co.uk
A Christmas Party with a Difference
October 24, 2006
Why not put on a Bavarian Beerfest party for your collegues or clients this year? We provide a full German style brass Oompah who are guaranteed to have you standing on your chair dancing and singing along to their great beer drinking tunes. They also do great crowd participation with games and lots of fun.
Also included in this great package is a range of authentic German Cuisine imported directly from Munich for that full Bavarian flavour, guaranteed to get the taste buds watering and it’s all served by our Beautiful Bavarian Maidens dressed in traditional Oktoberfest German waitress outfits. We also offer 1litre steins of ice cold German beer as well as a full service wine and spirit bar for the non-beer drinkers. So pull out the Lederhosen (there is always a prize for the best costume) and get ready for an amazing night. After the band finishes we have a dj who plays a great mix of tracks sure to have you dancing the night away, we have the option of a 2am finish (must be pre-arranged) for any bookings looking for that later finish.We can cater to bookings from 30-275 and we have a range of options to suit every occasion.
These events can be booked at either our venue or we can come to you and put on the OKTOBERFEST at a venue of your choosing, we have our own mobile cooling units so we can bring the Bavarian beer and food to you. Because we have such a broad range of options all prices are on application and we will always do our best to tailor one for your requests. We look forward to helping you stage a memorable Oktoberfest/German Beerfest party and we hope that you will join us for the fun that a fully fledged beer festival bash can provide. Quote Ref: ‘londonlaunch.com’ to obtain an exclusive trade price.
Octoberfest Pub, 678 - 680 Fulham Road, London SW6 5SA, UK
Tel +44 (0)20 7736 5293, Web > www.octoberfestpub.com
While in Vienna, enjoy a romantic Viennese waltz
October 24, 2006
Spend the last hours of the old year and the first of the new on board the Majestic Imperator Luxury Train in Vienna, the capital of Austria.
The restored Majestic Imperator Luxury Train is based on the Imperial Train of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It was inaugurated by Archduchess Maria Christina von Habsburg-Lothringen, descendent of Emperor Franz Joseph I and Empress Elisabeth.
The philosophy of today’s Majestic Imperator Luxury Train is best reflected in the words of the Honourable Claudius von Klaudy, his Majesty’s Engineer at the end of the 19th century: “to provide the guests with an experience, which will forever remain a highlight in their travel memories.”
On December 31, the Majestic Imperator will travel through and around Vienna by night, allowing you to enjoy the view while being pampered with fine dining at a black tie formal dinner, followed by dancing onboard at the New Year’s Ball.
At midnight, the Majestic Imperator will stop on a bridge on the Danube, thus allowing an excellent view of Vienna’s magnificent firework display. Guests will then be invited to dance a midnight waltz high above the Danube to the most famous Strauss waltz ‘The Blue Danube’.
In the New Year, there will be live music in the piano bar, and continued dancing. Later, guests will be served goulash soup and Sacherwürstel, a traditional Austrian sausage. From 2 am, the Train will call at various Viennese stations before arriving back at Wien-Süd at 4 am.
The Imperial New Year’s Express costs 285 euros (approx. US$357/GB£192) per person. Rail ticket, dinner, drinks (Champagne, fine wines, beer, mineral water and soft drinks) and the most romantic evening in Europe are all included in the price.
Train Chartering (www.trainchartering.com) is the pioneer of a coordinated approach to sourcing, theming and crewing special trains for corporate and private events, film locations and airport or cruise liner transfers. This full service approach is enhanced by ground handling services at stations.
Vienna’s Christmas markets
October 24, 2006
As the winter draws a grey cloak over Europe, Vienna comes alive to the glitter of thousands of festive lights, the sounds of carolling and traditional music and the scent of cinnamon, sweet biscuits and warm, spiced wine.
Vienna’s Christmas markets are among the world’s most famous and welcome visitors from the middle of November, right up to Christmas. Here is a guide to the top Viennese Christmas markets, what to expect, when to visit and how to get there.
One of the main winter attractions, going back over two decades, is the Magic of Advent with its imaginative theme world in and around Vienna’s City Hall, the Rathaus. This year, the traditional Christmas market boasts in the region of 140 booths to browse and purchase Christmas gifts. Meanwhile in Rathauspark, around the Christmas market, visitors can enjoy a romantic Advent stroll beneath the delightfully adorned trees, where the most popular rendezvous for lovers is the radiant “Heart Tree”. (Nov 18 – Dec 24, www.christkindlmarkt.at)
Just along the Ring Boulevard between the museums of fine arts and natural history, there is another new Christmas market this year. Some 50 booths on the magnificent Maria-Theresien-Platz will be inspiring visitors with original giftware and traditional handicrafts. Typical Austrian brass band music, gospel choirs and music groups will add to the seasonal atmosphere. (Nov 29 – Dec 24, www.weihnachtsdorf.at)
The main courtyard in front of Schönbrunn Palace, the former Habsburg residence, will also be putting on its Christmas mantle. Traditional handicrafts, hand-made jewelry and rustic Christmas tree decorations will be on offer against this majestic backdrop. (Nov 18 – Dec 26, www.weihnachtsmarkt.co.at)
The Christmas market at Spittelberg, a revitalized Biedermeier quarter with narrow streets, is likewise packed with stands offering handicrafts and ceramics, as well as silver, enamel and brass jewelry. Visitors can also drink hot punch or enjoy delicious culinary specialties. (Nov 17 – Dec 23, www.spittelberg.at)
And at the nearby MuseumsQuartier, an “ice palace” is being specially erected in the main courtyard for “Winter in MQ”. Variety is guaranteed with ice curling, MQ Hill Climbing, children’s activities, and winter sounds with DJs and video projections. (Nov 16 – Dec 23, www.mqw.at)
How to get there: Fly via Austrian Airlines (www.austrianairlines.com).
For more information about Vienna visit www.vienna.info
Α star in town to light up Christmas
October 24, 2006
X-FACTOR star Andy Abraham will switch on the Christmas lights in St Helens.
The singer will be singing tracks from his new album on November 18. Visitors will also be able to visit a German market in Church Square from December 7-17 and watch a programme of family entertainment. Shops will be open until 8pm every Thursday from November 16.
The lights will include three designs by local children which have been made into a full-size display. The Ex Terra Lucem lantern procession takes place on December 21 before a carol concert outside St Helens parish church.
A Christmas show
October 24, 2006
The eight-member cast of The Ozark Jubilee is returning with its brand-new 2006 “Branson Country Christmas” show, which mixes humor with country, bluegrass and gospel music.
Show times are 2 and 7 p.m. on Thursday, November 16, at the Capitol Civic Centre, 913 S. Eighth St., Manitowoc, WI.
The Jubilee features comedian and world-class fiddler Randy Newman as Doofus Doolittle, sharing his unique style of music and “hillbilly humor.”
In the second half of the show, Newman sheds his alter ego to appear in $5,000 custom-tailored suits by Manuel of Nashville. Manuel designs and tailors suits for major Nashville acts including Tim McGraw, Porter Wagoner, Roy Clark and Alan Jackson.
Tickets to the Capitol Civic Centre performance are $25, $22 and $20. For tickets, call 920-683-2184 or visit www.cccshows.org.
Canucks! Is it time to order your Christmas Pudding?
October 24, 2006
Has Christmas Spirit blog reminded you that Christmas is coming? Well, here’s another sign of the season, the “pudding factory” at St. John the Evangelist Church in Kitchener is almost ready to roll.
Most of the congregation plays some part in the annual production of these puddings. The project has been a major fundraiser of the church for more than 50 years.
The puddings, made of natural ingredients, sell in one-, two- or three-pound sizes at $8 per pound. Gift wrapping is free, and recipes for three sauces are included.
Orders must be in by November 1. For further information, or to order, telephone Maureen, 519-886-7342 or Anne, 519-893-8410.
Here’s also a guide to bazaar ideas! > Here’s a guide to bazaar ideas!
