April 30, 2011
Piano Men: The Music of Elton and Billy
Enjoy an evening of Elton John and Billy Joel music.
Elton John and Billy Joel have combined to sell over 350 million records worldwide. For four decades they have been a large part of the musical landscape, topping the album charts and playing to sold out audiences while continuing to receive heavy airplay on classic rock radio. Since 1994 these two legendary performers have regularly been joining forces selling out their worldwide Face-to-Face tours.
Piano Men: The Music of Elton and Billy is a tribute to the amazing songs of Billy Joel and Elton John. This concert combines a four piece pop group featuring Joe Boucher on piano and vocals playing with a full symphony orchestra with arrangements by Christopher Eastburn. Rarely have these songs ever been heard performed live in this way as Elton and Billy themselves have only on a few occasions performed with orchestras.
Show is Sat, May 7, 2011
Doors: 6:30pm / Show: 7:30pm
State Theatre, Portland, ME
Tickets: $16.50
Wish e
very night was a show? While in town taking in the musical stylings of Sir Elton John and Billy Joel, stop by Festiva Adventure Club, check out our log cabin in the city, and check out great deals on our Members Only Vacation Packages. Ask one of our Festiva Hospitality Travel Agents how they can get your family to take vacations while still respecting your budget. More information can be found at www.festiva.travel
April 29, 2011
Badfish: A Tribute to Sublime
Badfish will be playing a concert at the State Theater TOMORROW April 30th.
Badfish is a tribute band dedicated to playing the music of Sublime. The group is nam
ed after a song appearing on the album 40oz. to Freedom. Formed in 2001 at the University of Rhode Island, the group’s members, who were computer science majors, began playing local Rhode Island clubs and quickly began selling out shows. They continued touring the East Coast and Midwest of the U.S., becoming popular on college campuses among Sublime fans who never were able to see the band due to Bradley Nowell’s 1996 death. Since then the group has done multiple national tours per year. In 2008, the band was nominated for Best Tribute Act in the Boston Music Awards.
Show is Sat, April 30, 2011
Doors: 6:30 pm / Show: 7:30 pm
At the State Theatre in Portland, ME
Tickets $18 advance / $20 day of
This event is all ages. Tickets are on sale at www.statetheatreportland.com, charge by phone at 800-745-3000 or in person at the Cumberland County Civic Center Box Office with no service fees.
Check out Badfish performing the song “Santeria” in Libertyville, IL.
You can go toevents like this ALL THE TIME. Not affordable? Guess again. To find out how, come over to Festiva 
Hospitality Group’s location in Portland Maine! At Festiva we can show you and your family how you can take longer vacations, more often, and for less money than you could ever imagine! We are a family friendly resort and we look forward to meeting you so that we can make your life more fun! Maine is just one of the amazing states that we have one of our resorts at! If your heart is in the Carolinas for the golf, Disney rides, or even the sunny beaches of the Bahamas, we can help make your family’s dream vacations come true. Don’t hesitate. Festiva is waiting for you.
April 28, 2011
Disaster Relief – Have fun while doing your part!
Joe’s Slice Bar in Portland holds party to aid in disaster relief for fellow Mainer from Japan. You can be part of it.
Ishinomaki-shi, Miyagi, Japan is a town where Ai Saito’s family lives. Ai is married to a local Mainer from South Portland named Joseph Pappalardo. As you all know Japan was recently hit with earthquakes and a tsunami that has left massive damage. Ai and Joe are raising money to send back to her family to help start to rebuild from this disaster. So we will be
having a party to help raise money to donate to this cause.
Party will be Sunday, May 1 at 12:00pm – May 2 at 1:00am
420 Fore St Portland, ME 04101
Phone: 207-699-5559
Joe’s will be offering a $5 Tsunami Relief shot, a percentage of this will go straight into their donation box. Also half the amount on every whole pizza purchased in the bar will be donated as well. Joe’s will also be selling t-shirts for $15 to support the cause! Joes NY Pizza is proud to be able to help a local family out in this time of crisis.
Joe’s New York Pizza (aka Joe’s Slice Bar) is known for having lots of awesome specialty pizzas. While you’re partying, try a few! Some of the interesting specialty pizzas, available whole every day and by the slice some days, include: Greek white pizza of olive oil, mozzarella, feta cheese, tomato, garlic and oregano; lasagna pizza with sausage, meatball and ricotta cheese; buffalo chicken; chicken Parmesan; Chicken Bacon Bravo with chicken and bacon tossed in BBQ ranch sauce; and a Manhattan Loaded that comes with pepperoni, sausage, meatball, onion, peppers, mushrooms, bacon and mozzarella.
Hungry yet?
While you are in the area, you should come over to Festiva Hospitality Group’s location in P
ortland Maine. At Festiva we can show you and your family how you can take longer vacations, more often, and for less money than you could ever imagine! You can see all the art and shows all you want. We are a family friendly resort and we look forward to meeting you so that we can make your life more fun! Maine is just one of the amazing states that we have one of our resorts at! Head over to our website at http://www.festiva.travelso that you can see for yourself the beautiful places that you and your family could visit!
April 27, 2011
Shanghai Tokyo, Portland Restaurant
>>>>> Shanghai Tokyo is a delicious place to enjoy a Chinese or Japanese meal in Portland<<<<<
- Delicious Suchi Sashimi combo. Photo by John Patriquin.
The Chinese lunch menu offers entrees ranging from $6.95 to $8.25, with most dishes falling in the $6.95-to-$7.50 range. The entree comes with soup (eat-in only), a choice of appetizers (vegetable spring roll or shrimp spring roll, and crab rangoon or chicken wings) and choice of rice.
The hot-and-sour soup was really delicious. It arrived steaming hot, tasted fresh, and had just the right amount of heat. I could have eaten WAY more of it.
The service at Shanghai Tokyo is prompt and courteous. One thing they do that I think is a great idea for other restaurants to follow is they bring out a little sample of another dish for you to try — something you didn’t order but might want to in the future. In my case, it was a piece of salmon roll.
Check out the restaurant at their website www.shanghaitokyoportland.com. Or stop in to try a bite! They are located at 511 Congress St., Portland. Phone 773-7975. Hours are 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Thursday; 11:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 1:30 to 10 p.m. Sunday. Lunch served until 3 p.m.
While in town checking out Shanghai Tokyo, stop by Festiva Adventure Club, check out our log cabin in the city, and hear about our great deals on our Members Only Vacation Packages. Ask one of our Festiva Hospitality Travel Agents how they can get your family to take vacations while still respecting your budget. More information can be found at www.festiva.travel.
April 26, 2011
Want to Learn a Second Language?
Well here is your chance! Come to the Language Exchange’s open house Friday April 29th. The open house will begin at 5:30 and will end at 7:30. The school is located at 80 Exchange St in Portland. The school offers 12 different languages and has small class sizes, up to 10 people per class for adults and only 7 per class for children. Small class sizes ensures that everyone will be able to have teacher help when they need it. Can’t commit to a weekly class? No problem come to the open house and see how easy it is to sign up for a private or semi private tutor. The Language Exchange has 18 years of experience so you know you’ll be getting the quality education that you’re paying for. Come to the open house to find out how cost efficient learning a second language can be. The Language Exchange offers discounts for early registration and for seniors.
Want to travel and actually have the opportunity to speak your new language? While your in Portland why don’t you stop by Festiva at 190 Riverside St. View a quick 120 minute presentation on how much fun you can have with Festiva Adventure Club. Festiva has been around for over 10 years and has the experience to provide your family with the best vacation possible. Call 1(888)695-0200 to set up a reservation today!
April 25, 2011
The Big Lebowski
Are you a dude? Was The Big Lebowski one of your favorite films of all time? Come over to One Longfellow Square in Portland to see the film and participate in Dude like activities. Tickets are only 6$ for this event and you can even get them for 3$ if you show up for the fun wearing a robe. Activities will begin at 8 pm. The entire night will be dedicated to The Dude. White Russians will even be on special for the night. If you really want to get into the fun then you may want to participate in the costume contest where a panel of judges will pick the best Dude of the night. Tickets can be purchased for this event ahead of time. Live music will be preformed by The Little Lebowski Under Achievers around 10 pm after the movie. Additional tickets will be sold for 5$ for the music portion of the night. If you bought a ticket for the movie it includes the music portion of the night so don’t worry about buying two tickets.
Love participating in fun activities such as this? Come down to Festiva Adventure Club located at 190 Riverside St while you’re in Portland. View a short 120 minute presentation and see the adventures that you can partake in with Festiva. Festiva Adventure Club has been around for over 10 years and are experienced enough to make sure your family vacation will be the best it can be. Call 1 (888) 695-0200 to set up a reservation today.
April 24, 2011
EASTER EGG DECORATING!
Happy Easter!!! This fun and colorful holiday means fun and colorful decorating! Easter egg decorating is fun because both adults and children enjoy it, and there are limitless possibilities to what you can create! Glitter, dye, markers, googly eyes, stickers, you name it, it can go on an egg.
I believe the best Easter eggs are ones that sparkle. But some disagree. Glitter is great to look at but not as fun to clean up. So here are TWO super fun ways you can decorate your Easter eggs this year that the kids will love. No icky vinegar involved.
Be sure to use white hard
-boiled eggs for both recipes and put down to minimize mess.
GLITTER EGGS
1. Use the small paintbrush to completely cover each egg in glue. NOT super glue. We recommend Elmer’s Glue, that is slightly watered down to make the glue layer on the egg thin.
2. Pour glitter color of choice (or mixture! Get crazy.) into a paper or plastic bowl.
3. Roll egg around in glitter. Use a spoon to help cover every spot. Be sure coverage is even and gently shake to remove excess glitter.
4. Gently place eggs on wax paper and let dry completely, about an hour. Shake again to remove excess glitter before hiding or using in display.
COLORED EGGS – No mess!
1. Get out a bunch of washable markers. We recommend Crayola thick or thin washable markers.
2. Draw crazy designs on the eggs or color patterns. Or outline a design and make each other color them in!
To combine both ideas, color eggs using markers, then draw designs in glue and cover those designs in glitter.
No one gets enough family time these days, but you can enjoy quality, family time like this all the time! Just 
stop by Festiva Resorts at 190 Riverside Street right here in Portland. View a 120 minute presentation on Festiva’s exciting vacationopportunities and learn how you can spend quality time with your family, all the time, for next to nothing. As a thank you for stopping in, you can receive travel certificates, dinner certificates, Irving gas cards and more. Give Festiva Resorts a call at 888-695-0200 to set up a tour today! It’s up to you to take the leap.
April 23, 2011
Moroccan Chicken Kebobs
George Foreman step back. With Spring comes my personal favorite way to prepare food, THE GRILL.
Yes, the barbeque sears flavor into ribs, steaks, chicken and even veggies. Who doesn’t love a cookout? Add this recipe to your list. Moroccan Chicken Kebobs. They silence even the pickiest eater with theit mouth watering tender chicken pieces and fun way to eat them. Sweet and just a little spicy, this recipe gets its enticing flavor and aroma from cinnamon and a touch of cloves. Because the meat is prepared with a dry rub, it doesn’t require marinating time.
Ingredients
~ DRY RUB ~
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1/4 teaspoon cayenne (optional)
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon cardamom
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
2 teaspoons brown sugar
~ KEBOBS ~
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 small red onions, peeled and cut into 1-inch-wide sections
2 bell peppers, cleaned and cut into 1-inch squares
1/4 cup olive oil
Salt and pepper
12 (10-inch) bamboo skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes
Instructions
In a small bowl, combine the dry rub ingredients and mix well.
Cut the meat into 1 1/2-inch cubes and put them in a gallon-size zip-lock bag with the rub mix. Seal the bag and shake it vigorously until all the chicken is well coated.
Place the onions and peppers in a gallon-size zip-lock bag, add the olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Seal the bag and shake it vigorously to coat the vegetables well.
Assemble the kebobs by alternately skewering pieces of chicken, onions, and peppers.
Prepare a charcoal fire or set a gas grill to medium-high, close the lid, and heat until hot — about 10 to 15 minutes.
Grill the kebobs, turning occasionally, until the chicken is no longer pink inside, about 8 to 10 minutes on a gas grill. Serves 6 to 8.
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No one gets enough family time these days, but you can enjoy family time like enjoying this meal with your family, more often! Imagine being able to enjoy Cajun chicken while in New Orleans or seafood caught 
that morning off Cape Cod. Just stop by Festiva Resorts at 190 Riverside Street right here in Portland. View a 120 minute presentation on Festiva’s exciting vacation opportunities and learn how you can spend quality time with your family, all the time, for next to nothing. As a thank you for stopping in, you can receive travel certificates, dinner certificates, Irving gas cards and more. Give Festiva Resorts a call at 888-695-0200 to set up a tour today! It’s up to you to take the leap.
April 22, 2011
Caravan of Thieves Concert
Stretching the parameters of acoustic swing, Caravan of Thieves has been winning immediate praise for their new and unique brand song writing and their high intensity show.
Caravan of Thieves create fun yet elegant compositions that embody the spirit and swing of early gypsy jazz but with plenty of witty, inventive lyrics and vocal harmonies to serenade the listener. Fiery violin arrangements, thumping upright bass and rhythmic acoustic guitar spanking counteract the sweet, melodic, harmonious male/female vocals of Fuzz and Carrie. Seeking inspiration from beyond the great divide, the quartet produces layers of Beatlesque vocals, driving rhythms, satirical, dramatic song writing and an overall circus of sound.
Show is TODAY Friday, April 22, 2011 @ 8:00 PM
Show is at One Longfellow Square (click here for map and directions)
Tickets are $12.00
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You can experience events like this more often by stopping by Festiva Resorts. Located at 190 Riverside Stre
et right here in beautiful Portland Maine. Come down and view a short 120 minute presentation and learn how Festiva’s vacation options are perfect for you and your family. Maine is just 1 of the 26 resorts ranging from Maine to the Carribean. Call 1-(888) 695-0200 to set up an appointment with Festiva Adventure Club and see how you can spend more time with your family in exciting places having amazing adventures.
April 21, 2011
Sweet Gum Pod Mouse
It’s official: Kids love arts and crafts! Why not create fun crafts for Earth Day with your kids this year!?
Happy Earth Day! Time to celebrate. Try this fun mouse project to get your kids into the Earth Day celebration too! It involves finidng craft materials outside, and then making art inside, the best of both worlds! Mom and Dad will need to help with this craft, but it is a great way to celebrate and appreciate nature on Earth Day.
Difficulty: Easy // Age: 6 and up // Parental supervision is recommended
Substitute a pine cone for the sweet gum pod if you can't find any or if they are too prickly.
What you’ll need:
- Sweet gum pod/ball with stem, Dried (without seeds)
- Acorn or other small nut
- 2 (5 MM) Wiggle eyes
- Low temp glue gun or tacky glue
- 2 tiny Brown pom poms
- Dried pine needles
- Scissors
- Slice of dead tree branch or other piece of wood for base (about 1/2″ thick and 2″ across)
- Gold spray paint
How to make it:
- Glue the pod to the wood with the stem sticking out. The stem will be the tail.
- Glue the acorn to the other end of the pod, slightly at an angle for the head.
- Glue on the wiggle eyes and then the pom poms for the ears.
- Cut the dried pine needles to the desired size and glue on for the whiskers.
Tips:
• The sweet gum pod needs to be dried (without seeds) and brown in color.
• If the pod is green it has not released its seeds yet.
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No one gets enough family time these days, but you can enjoy quality, family time like this all the time! Just stop by 
Festiva Resorts at 190 Riverside Street right here in Portland. View a 120 minute presentation on Festiva’s exciting vacation opportunities and learn how you can spend quality time with your family, all the time, for next to nothing. As a thank you for stopping in, you can receive travel certificates, dinner certificates, Irving gas cards and more. Give Festiva Resorts a call at 888-695-0200 to set up a tour today! It’s up to you to take the leap.
