Cedar Lake dancers in Jo Stromgren's Sunday, Again, photo by Carina Musk-Anderson

UPDATED: Scroll to the bottom of this post for a ticket discount specifically for blog readers, available now through the end of Cedar Lake's spring season!

On my way to Chelsea on Monday evening for Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet's opening night of their spring season, I reminded myself that I wouldn't have the freedom to roam around the amazing space watching dancers dangle from the ceiling or interact with one another on a wall of blocks, as they did in the Glassy Essence installation at the end of April. This time, the seating was back in place, and I would have to stay in my chair throughout the performance while the dancers remained on stage. Fortunately, I didn't sense a barrier between the action on stage and the audience. Perhaps this was because I was lucky enough to have a front-row seat just inches from the dancers, but I think it had more to do with the dancers' ability to break down any existing barriers with their captivating performance that had the power to engage the audience for the entire evening.

Nicolo Fonte's Lasting Imprint, which was created for Cedar Lake in 2006, explored the connection between movement and sound. The piece started in silence, with the dancers moving slowly, with control, and then suddenly stopping to form sharp poses. The silence created an intense serenity that was heightened by the commanding but non-threatening presence of Jason Kittelberger. Just as I grew comfortable with the patterns of movement and stillness, Steve Reich's Triple Quartet shattered the silence as red light flooded the stage and the movement quickened. One dancer's speed and explosiveness was the catalyst for another, creating an edgy, continuous rush of dancing.

Jason Kittelberger and Jessica Coleman Scott in Nicolo Fonte's Lasting Imprint, photo by Paul B. Goode

In the midst of the fierce movement, Kittelberger appeared with white paint covering his face, shaved head, and bare torso. It seemed that he was tugging at his own body, appearing just as surprised as I was that he was suddenly covered in paint. His fluidity was so striking that it looked as if he had no bones. He became more alert as Jessica Coleman Scott - touchingly vulnerable and full of wonder - approached him, and he slowly pressed his head against her spine, letting the white paint streak her gray leotard. This was a particularly striking, sensual image. There was an interesting hand-eye connection throughout their duet: His hand covered her eyes, only to be pushed away by her hand as she turned and gazed at him. It seemed like Fonte wanted Lasting Imprint to be emotionally and psychologically challenging for both the dancers and audience. He created a world full of contrasts - silence and screeching sound, stillness and explosive movement - that left me feeling uncertain about their meaning. Perhaps that uncertainty is the lasting imprint. Excerpts from the piece, with commentary from Fonte, can be seen here.

After watching a rehearsal video of Angelin Preljocaj's Annonciation, I was eager to view the full duet and gain a better understanding of the piece. Jessica Lee Keller was wide-eyed and anxious, beautiful and terrified as Mary, while Acacia Schachte was profound, graceful, and authoritative as the Angel. Moving upon a bright red floor to Vivaldi's Magnificat, which was fragmented by Stephane Roy's electronic Crystal Music, Keller and Schachte made points of physical contact that energized their relationship. In one chilling instant, Schachte intently pierced Keller's mouth with her thumb. They flew through phrases of movement at lightning-speed with elegance and precision in every step. As they collapsed to the floor, it was easy to hear their heavy breathing. This served as a reminder that the dancers are truly human, and in this case, it also emphasized their sensuality. In a powerful moment, the Angel kissed Mary just as the music reached a dramatic climax, and then, quite suddenly, the music became more fragmented and mushy. The Angel swirled through a rapid rewind of everything that just occurred, and exited the stage from where she entered, leaving Mary alone, as if the entire momentous event hadn't transpired.

Jessica Lee Keller and Acacia Schachte rehearsing Angelin Preljocaj's Annonciation, photo by Paul B. Goode

While Lasting Imprint and Annonciation were equally emotionally intense, Jo Stromgren's full-company Sunday, Again, created for Cedar Lake this year, provided a welcomed lift to the evening, and turned out to be the most stirring, ecstatic, and unique piece on the program. According to Stromgren's notes, the piece "thematically treats the domestic jungle of luxury problems and gender frictions", and it does so by means of a witty, theatrical badminton game set to Bach's richly colorful Jesu, Meine Freude and The Well-Tempered Clavier. While clusters of dancers ran about the stage throwing birdies or dragging a badminton net, various duets illustrated tense relationships. Jason Kittelberger and Acacia Schachte longed to escape from their oppressive domestic life. Jubal Battisti playfully chased the adorable Harumi Terayama as he tried to seize the birdie she had in her mouth. Jessica Coleman Scott continually grabbed Ana-Maria Lucaciu. This first appeared to be sexual, but Scott was only looking for - and eventually retrieved - the birdie hidden in Lucaciu's pants. A cheerful, invigorating duet between Jessica Lee Keller and Nickemil Concepcion was interrupted by the full cast so that they could delight in sweeping movement on both sides of a badminton net. The dancers moved with clarity and vigor, and what started out as whispering early in the piece now rose to full-volume shouting.

Jessica Lee Keller and Nickemil Concepcion in Jo Stromgren's Sunday, Again, photo by Carina Musk-Anderson

It's not often that I compare dances to Twyla Tharp's In the Upper Room, that out-of-body, exhilarating piece that is in a league of its own. But Sunday, Again is right up there. Stromgren nicely balanced the theatrics and humorous bits with deeper ideas, all tied together with fluid, kinetic movement at which the dancers excelled, and which is so pleasing to the eye. Additionally, the dancers' personalities and quirks seemed to be woven into the fabric of this piece, so that when they danced as an ensemble, their uniqueness and distinct movement qualities matched the richness of the music and choreography.

Cedar Lake's spring season continues, with alternating casts, through June 15^th.

SPECIAL DISCOUNT: Cedar Lake is offering a discount exclusively for blog readers. Just click on "Enter Discount Code" and use the code "blog15" on SmartTix.com to get 50% off of the ticket price. That means your $30 ticket will be just $15! Tickets can be be ordered by clicking here.

Kaiba was not originally on my list of shows to watch this season. I admit, I saw a couple of screenshots, dismissed it as a simple Japanese kids' show and went about my business. How wrong I was.

Kaiba is now the second star of the season in my opinion. A tale about an amnesiatic boy who awakes in a world where human bodies are harvested by the rich for spare parts, and his only clue to his past is a locket around his neck with a blurred picture of a girl. Kaiba is one of those stories which drops us in the middle of a strange, exotic world and asks us to trust and hold on. And oh, what an exotic world it is. The art style reminds me of Antoine de Saint Exupery's The Little Prince (a story dear to my heart) and French science fiction art of the 60s and 70s. This aesthetic was clearly a conscious decision as it informs every aspect of the world: a strange, eyeless ostrich creature with a bubble-encased head rescues our hero, Warp; the "guns" look like rayguns out of 1950's Buck Rodgers; Warp's friend and savior Popo dresses like a spaceman from the alien vista of a 70s disco album. It's strange and otherworldly, exotic and terribly charming.

Needless to say, this show comes with my highest recommendation. We really have something special here this season.

Rin Asōgi may look like an ordinary office lady on the outside but she is actually a private investigator taking on any jobs, from finding a stray cat to infiltrating a high-security corporate lab. What's more, she appears literally indestructible, supernaturally healing any injuries and mutilations. Together with her partner Mimi, Rin delves into the darkest secrets of the society but the ones she hides herself are by far more sinister...

Mnemosyne is a rather dark series and gruesome. From the beginning montage of bleeding, naked women nailed to a pole, you know the tone of the series. The main character Rin is appropriately no-nonsense, not afraid to use violence or sex to get what she wants, and recalls all the best female spy/assassins of popular culture. The jobs she accepts are dangerous and dark, and she never shirks from them in any way. (In fact it almost seems she prefers the danger when in the first episode she accepts a particular job instead of looking for a stray cat.) There's some slight brevity in the interactions with her assistant Mimi, but nothing to take away from the overall tone.

All in all, I could do without the torture/gore parts of the series, but all in all it's a solid, gritty detective series. I'm certainly looking forward to more episodes, and if you're not squeamish I suggest you give it a look too.

I've seen the first two episodes so far and there was some good action, fun dynamics between the main characters, and an interesting premise. Quite honestly I can't help but draw the Naruto comparison, and it feels like a more substantial, short-form Naruto. I'm not so sure I'll be following it as that's not quite my cup of tea, but should I get a recommendation a bit farther into the season I may check it out again.

The snow and ice storms of winter now seem to be relics from the past.

What a relief it is, to not have to look for your heavy jacket every time you leave home! And what a treat it is to be able to walk out in sandals, or in shorts.

And how nice it is when it is bright and sunny early in the morning, when you open the backdoor and hear birds chirping away.

To me the best part of spring is a mildly wet morning with promise of sunlight later.

The grass is mildly wet with the rain of the previous day. When you walk out, you get sprinkled upon, just mildly like the traditional Indian greeting where you are sprinkled with rose water, not drenched.

The grass is green.

Flowers are coming alive on trees. You look around and there is a bright yellow of the flowers on a bush, or the budding white of the crabapple trees or the purple of the magnolia trees.

The official looking Cardinals are busy tweeting away, saying as much as possible in an attempt to be heard. I often wonder if the birds were named Cardinals first or if the Vatican's Cardinals were.
The mean ubiquitous geese flying from one housetop to another.

In the distance there is a freight train in no particular hurry to get anywhere, the sound of its horn blowing as it crosses a road crossing slowly - iwafting through the morning air.

It is nippy outside. Neither warm, nor cold. It is slightly on the cooler side and is just about right. Totally perfect.

There is promise of brighter, longer and warmer days to come.

Spring is the best time of the year.

First half of the series will consist of the plot from Allison novels while the second half will focus on Lillia and Treize novels. "Allison is an adventure series set in a world containing one continent which is divided down the center by a towering mountain range and a huge river. The industry and technology of the world are roughly equivalent to the 1930s. Due to the geography, two cultures developed on either side of the divide, and at the time the story begins, the cultures have been at war for hundreds of years. The east side of the world is known as Rokushe, though formally the region's name is the Rokushiaanuku Commonwealth. The entire region comprises of sixteen countries which all speak a common language. The west side is known as Sū Bee Iru, though formally the region's name is the United Kingdom of Bezeru Irutoa. The region is comprised of the two kingdoms of Bezeru and Irutoa which both serve to bring together a small number of countries under a common language different than that of the eastern region. There are very few blond-haired people in this region. Allison, an air force pilot, and her childhood friend Will (pronounced Vill), who has a photographic memory, listen from a famous and boasting old man about a "treasure story" which goes that "if the two countries at war can finally end their fighting, that alone would be a valued treasure." No one would believe him that the war between the countries could ever end, so no one listened to him. When the old man is abducted and taken over to Sū Bee Iru, Allison and Will steal an airplane and chase the abductors across the river into the next region; fortunately, they speak both languages. "

Kyōran Kazoku Nikki  

The novels depict the not-so-normal life of a "family" that includes a catgirl "mother," a lion "son," a living land-combat android weapon "son," a jellyfish-like otherworldly "daughter," and a hapless 27-year-old military officer as their "father." This motley "family" was assembled as part of the Imperial Japanese Anti-Paranormal Phenomena Section's Special Operations Forces to save Earth in 2063

To Love - Ru

The story is about Rito Yūki, a high-school boy who cannot confess to the girl of his dreams, Haruna Sairenji. One day when coming home and sulking in the bath-tub a mysterious, nude girl, appears out of nowhere. Her name is Lala and she comes from the planet Deviluke, where she is the heir to the throne. Her father wants her to return to her home planet so she can marry one of the husband candidates, but she decides that she wants to marry Rito in order to stay on Earth. Commander Zastin has been ordered to bring Lala back and has already battled Rito. He reports to the emperor that Rito would be suited to marry Lala, after hearing Rito say that marriage is impossible unless it is with the person you love (Rito was actually defending himself but Zastin and Lala thought he was defending Lala). With this speech, Lala truly falls in love with Rito and decides that she wants to marry Rito. Her father decides that, if Rito is able to protect Lala from her fiances, then he can be her fiance, but if Rito cannot protect Lala from her other fiances and meet up to the king's expectations, Lala's father will kill Rito and destroy Earth. And that's about it. xD

                                

After a fine sunny evening, which has been more of the Spring feeling rather than the more recent conditions bringing in snow, hale and sleet, it is time to cast some thoughts over some of the forthcoming productions appearing in our great capital this season. With the clocks going forward last night too, the lighter evenings provide the perfect opportunity for brief, pre-dinner evening walks before indulging in some of London's finest. Here are my picks - this one's quite a long one, however, please stick with it and decide for yourself:-

Family:- Into the Hoods by ZooNation @ the Novello Theatre, WC2 - Nearest tube Covent Garden.

What they say:

This energetic show puts an urban spin on Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s darkly humorous musical Into The Woods and sets it to a soundtrack of music by artists including Gorillaz, Basement Jaxx, Kanye West, Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg, Black Eyes Peas and The Chemical Brothers. 

What I say:  

A great evening out for a viewing of some top-class moves from a highly energetic cast. Director Katie Prince delivers this classic story through the magic of fairytale, just about every one you can imagine, in an up-to-date, cartoon style. You are always left wanting more, whether it's the backing dancers, breaking body poppers or the ugly sisters; aptly played with cross dressing. The soundtrack is especially a treat accompanying some fine choreography and, of course, a true fairytale happy ending.

Musical:- Jersey Boys @ The Prince Edward Theatre, W1 - Nearest tube Leicester Square

What they say:

A smash hit on Broadway, the musical Jersey Boys tells the story of how four blue-collar boys from the wrong side of the tracks - Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi - became one of the biggest American pop bands of the 1960s, selling 175 million records worldwide.

What I say:

The show with the hits that you never knew you knew until you hear them. Transferring from Broadway carrying no less than four Tony Awards in 2006, including best musical, the auto-biographical tale is not your everyman rags to riches story but an awe-inspiring and atmospheric journey. Frankie Valli, played by a hauntingly accurate Ryan Molloy, and his Four Seasons, give the audience a mesmeric insight into their Jersey high school drop-out days taking them all the way to the height of selling all those records.

Opera:- Lost Highway (4-11 April) and Punch & Judy (19-27 April) by English National Opera @ The Young Vic, SE1 - Nearest tube Southwark and Waterloo

What they say:

Lost Highway - David Lynch’s psychological thriller, a film that explores identity, dislocation and desire through the eyes of troubled jazz musician Fred Madison, has been adapted for the stage by Olga Neuwirth. A seething combination of sound and image, Lost Highway is directed by Diane Paulus.

Punch & Judy - The story of the murderous Punch and his desire to possess Pretty Polly. Harrison Birtwistle’s controversial first opera, premiered at Aldeburgh in 1968, is directed by Daniel Kramer in the work’s 40th-anniversary year. Conducted by ENO Music Director Edward Gardner.

What I say:

A new venture between the Young Vic and ENO full of much promise. The two chamber operas will be seated in-the-round and will provide a fusion between the hi-tech and the traditional. This is another snatch at bringing opera, which is often seen as challenging and exclusive, to new, fresh and young audiences by giving it a highly contemporary spin. The collaboration between the two producing houses, traditionally established ENO and vastly ambitious Young Vic, will present some exciting work, hopefully, to please all sorts of taste-buds.

Theatre:- Major Barbara @ The National Theatre, SE1 - Nearest tube Waterloo and Embankment

What they say:

Major Barbara works tirelessly for the poor at a Salvation Army shelter until a large but morally dubious donation is welcomed from her estranged father, a millionaire weapons manufacturer. But when she visits the factory itself, the well-fed workers in their thriving model town make a devastating case for arms trade profits and a whole new set of ideals.

What I say:

If you kick off with the National Theatre's Travelex £10 Tickets season then you can't go wrong with another Bernard Shaw play under Nicholas Hytner. Major Barbara, written in 1905, is every bit worth it from some implausible performances across the board. Simon Russell Beale takes to the stage with an intricately built characterisation of Andrew Undershaft, the obstinate arms dealer, delivering an exigent paradox of salvation of life, accutely placed along side his daughters', Barbara (Hayley Atwell) and her devotee stance to the Salvation Army. Culminating with a delibaration in Undershaft's capitalist mind-set, Tom Pye's set - a stage full of missile rows, provides the backdrop to a century old play with a new century idea - war is war is war.

Dance:- Sylvie Guillem & Russell Maliphant PUSH @ London Coliseum, WC2 - Nearest tube Charing Cross

What they say:

After three sell-out seasons at Sadler's Wells, five star reviews, a European tour and sold out performances in New York, PUSH will now be performed at the London Coliseum.

What I say:

A duo to die for between French ballerina, Guillem and British choreographer, Maliphant, this extensively successful piece makes a short run at the Coliseum to, once again, wow the London audiences. An array of pieces, in which each of the pairing takes precedence in, is a showcase in a collaboration of some world-class movement and choreography - a dance fan would be a fool to miss this, even though the prices are somewhat a rile.

Apologies for for the lack of links. It is being rubbish. Thank you!

* Updated with 20 Mensou no Musume

It's that time of the year again, as new animé gets released in Japan and I desperately try to watch as little of it as possible. I think many Animé fans have a process of selecting or whittling down the torrid of new series. My method goes along the line of this:

1. Download first eps. of anyhing that Looks, Sounds or Tastes (!?) good.
2. Discard anything that is less animated than a postcard.
3. Drop anything that is still rubbish after 2-3 episodes
4. ???
5. Profit!

I found a handy translated preview collage on Ii-chan to help me select animé that taste good. I was going to post previews of next season's animé, however, at one point after staring at this list containing no less than 39 Animé, I realised that not even Kami-sama has enough time to write thorough previews for every item in the next season, let alone watch them all.

Instead, some bloggers surpassing Kami-sama have good entries here:
Trav at UKAnime Forum
Tsurara at anime online
Garten at Memento (includes preview links)
and a JDrama preview

I, myself have went through process No.1 as above and compiled next season's animé into a 4 column list:

Hell Yeah! I'll watch it.

Alison & Lillia - A love story against the backdrop of a post-industrial FANTASY world.
Code Geass R2 - Second Season of Clamp inspired MECH show in Prime Time slot: Hell yeah! (Pizza Hut are making me watch it!)
Itazura na Kiss - Scatterbrain Kotoko in epic Shojo love comedy spanning 9 years.

Probably, maybe, preview.

Junjō Romantica - KimiKiss but YAOI!
KanonKon - MOE Harem, this time with a fox-deity (Horo?!). (youtube)
Nabari no Ou - NINJAs! I'm sold just by that word.
20 (Juuni) Mensou no Musme - Instant promotion due to Hirano Aya as Chiko (who looks like Itsuragi Noe?!)
Vampire Knight - Gothic Shojo with romance and an Uguu~ Loligoth VAMPIRE!

I'll have a lookies, maybe it'd be good?

Blassreiter - ACTION/HORROR about something to do with devils.
Da Capo Second Season - Da Capo 1 Season One was full of Pseudo-Siscon goodness. I don't think I can put in words what I feel they did to it in D.C:SS and in D.C.II. Since they spent the whole of D.C.II messing about with alternate route characters, maybe I hope, they might focus on the main characters in D.C.II:SS
Himisu: Top Secret - Psycobabble from legendary studio Madhouse (CCS, Denno Coil, Paranoia Agent).
Monochrome Factor - Shounen about fighting shadow monsters, here by merit of GENCO (Shigofumi, Onigai Twins).
Real Drive - (Senno Chosashitsu)  Production I.G. does ghost in the shell again!
Soul Eater - Shounen from bones (Darker than Black, Ouran High).
Special A. - Shojo with lots of fighting from Gonzo.
Telepathy Shojo Ran - Outside chance
Toshokan Sensō - It's 1964 Thought police with the seiyuu of Yoko/kana (Gurren lagan/ Minami ke). No thanks. playing an interesting charactor who looks like a tomboy, interesting...
Wagaya no Oinarisama - Shonen light novel series adapted by Zexcs (Ichigo Mashmallow, Mai Hime) featuring fox diety (another one?) with both sexes.

You can't be serious!

Amatsuki - Samurai time travelling
BLUE DRAGON Shichi no Ryu - NO! This is made for little boys
Bus Gamer - The manga is supposed to be good but the production companies behind this have little experience. There's only 3 episodes to boot.
Chi's Sweet Home - It's about cats... ^_^
Crystal blaze - It's made by Studio Fantasia.... Oh... dear....
Gyahu Manga Biyori (3^rd Season) - 5 min short animation
Golgo 13 - I don't care if it's a long running manga, it is a James Bond rip!
Ikuze Gen-san - 9 mins short animation
Kaiba - Arty SCIENCE FICTION LOVE story by legendary Madhouse. (Dailymotion)
Kirarin Revolution Season 3 - MAGICAL Kiddie Shojo, reminds me of full moon.
Kamen no Maid Guy - It's got ‘maid guy' in the title! Geezzz...
Kyou Kara Maoh! R (3rd Season) - Male  Harem FIGHTING animé, do not want!
Kurenai - (means Crimson) A young man protects a little ojou-sama (Hayate!?) but looks like a lolikon show.
Macross Frontier - Another edition of the 25 year old MECH drama.
Net Ghost PiPoPa - Looks like a Pokémon ripoff! O_O
Neo Angelique Abyss - Shojo, it looks rubbish!
Sugar Bunnies - NO! This is made for little girls!
The Tower of Druaga: the Aegis of Uruk - ADVENTURE RPG like Dragon Quest with different names... again.
To Love-Ru - Magical Girlfriend HAREM, where the heroine is called 'Lala'. (-_-)
Uchi no Sanshimai - OMG! Aliens!
xxxHolic:Kei - I'd watch Tsubasa specials but I've never got into xxx.
Yu Gi Oh! 5D's - I never caught on.
Zettai  Karen Children - This translates as Absolutely Lovely Children!  (o_-)

Analysis:

I'm likely to be watching about 7 or 8 animé next season which is similar to the number over the winter period (6). The bar chart shows I am inevitably ignoring 3/5ths of the season and watching probably about a quarter.

One of the things I've noticed this season is the relatively high number of Shojo programs. Beyond the obvious YAOI in Junjo Romantica, Monochrome Factor sounds like it'll have YAOI undertones. With Romatic affairs in Neo Angelique Abyss, Vampire Knight, Itazura na Kiss and Special A, plus the more obvious clamp-influenced xxxHolic and Code Geass.

Overall, it is a very busy season. I'm very much looking forward to Code Geass and Lillian. Other then those I give a few more ep.1s a go and maybe uncover some Gems along the way. I hope Vampire Knight doesn't become vampire high and Junjo Romantica actually reaches the standard of kimikiss.

~ Teeif

Taken from: http://www.moetron.com/2008/02/11/number-of-tv-premieres-this-spring-season-40/

I'll be personally looking forward to Code Geass II (definately), Macross Frontier, Soul Eater, Vampire Knight and probably start picking up xxxHolic again.

I'm not sure what the rest of the anime are about, but Zettai Karen Children, Chi's Sweet Home and Uchi no Sanshimi seems to be some kind of lame childrens' show. Alot of the anime in that list doesn't seem to fit my liking of the fantasy type genre, though I used to enjoy them alot in the past. Oh well, as my CME teacher says, "the only thing that doesn't change, is change itself".

Also, it seems from my source that Haruhi isn't in this list and there's suppose to be another 12 more series that is gonna be released. Which makes the total number of anime series that's gonna be out 42.

Let's hope and pray hard that the second season of Suzumiya Haruhi is one of them! May Haruhi bless us all.

Both find their source in fertility rituals and symbolize unbridled joy. All over the east, the manner of celebrating this festival has been to smear each other’s face with rice powder, where rice powder is symbolic of fertility. Today, however, the northern part of India has incorporated many other influences turning Holi into a colourful and even sophisticated festival, as it was played by the royalty of Rajasthan.

A legend associated with the God of love, Kama, is told at this time. It is said that he was burnt to ashes because he had the temerity to fling his arrows on none other than the austere Siva who was doing penance. Goddess Parvati, however, brought him back to life for he was acting at her behest. This festival celebrates love.

Another legend says that once a mighty king called Hiranyakashyapu ruled on earth. He was so arrogant that he became a difficult ruler and even the Gods balked at his arrogance. Meanwhile Hiranyakashyapu decided to coronate himself a God Almighty Himself.

He had a son called Prahlad who was hurt to see his father behaving thus. He insisted that his father, however powerful and majestic, could not replace God. But Hiranyakashyapu’s powers were growing by the minute and he was in no mood to believe his son, after all he was a little boy not even ten year of age.

Many mighty dialogues and fierce attempts took place to convince Prahlad that his father was indeed mightier than God Himself. One day Prahlad was made to sit on the lap of Hiranyakashyapu’s sister. The sister had got a boon from fire God that she would never succumb to flames. So the aunt and nephew were made to sit on a seat of glowing fire. The aunt named Holika succumbed inspite of the boon and the nephew came out unhurt. To celebrate this episode through which God conveyed the fact that he protected those who trusted him, Holi is celebrated.

In a place called Mathura, the birthplace of Lord Krishna, the festival Holi is celebrated with great gaiety. Here it is said that baby Krishna, while he was still in the cradle, killed a demoness who had come to feed him. Her destruction and the first the first evidence given by the child of his divine powers are celebrated as Holi. Even today it is a festival worth celebrating in these temples.

Generally people of different communities meet and throw colour powder on each other amidst complete abandonment.

On March 21 the Parsis celebrate Jamshed Navroz, their new year. It is also known as Pateti, the Day of Repentance, when they recite a prayer of Repentance. This festivalis said to have begun in Persia under the rule of King Jamshed and so it is called Jamshed Navroz.

Spring is a particular type of season that is experienced in the temperate climatic zones. Spring is an intermediate seasonal phase in between winter and summer. Spring signifies the emergence of new life. Spring months are the blossoming months that bring meaningful growth and rejuvenation in its wake. Spring enriches natural beauty and it seems as if nature is dressed in a beautiful green gown.Springtime

This season arrives during different parts of the year in the North and South of the world. Places, which are situated in the north experience the spring season from March to May while in the southern part of the world, September to November is the springtime. Vernal Equinox indicates the arrival of spring season while the Summer Solstice announces its departure.

Important Features of Spring

Extreme weather conditions characterize the spring season. This is due to the fact that during this season the warm winds coming from the lower regions are accompanied by the cold air which originates from the Polar Regions. During the spring season, days are longer and the weather is severe. The seas and rivers are full because the snow begins to melt. Rainfall is also heavy often leading to serious flood situations. Floods are most common in the hilly areas. In addition to all this, tornado, hailstorms and heavy downpour are also common features during the spring season. In fact, end of spring is the time when hurricane arrives almost without any warning.

Gemini [May 22 to June 21; meaning - twins; brightest star - Pollux; element - air; ruling planet - Mercury]
Gemini is the third sign of the Zodiac and associated with youth and versatility. Individuals born under this sign are thought to have a sociable, fun-loving, versatile, lively, communicative, liberal, mentally active and friendly character.

This Time, Last Year(s)... March 21 (First Day of Spring) History
1556 Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Cranmer is burned at the stake.
1697 Czar Peter the Great begins tour through West Europe.
1804 French civil Code of Napoleon is adopted.
1851 Yosemite Valley is discovered in California.
1859 First Zoological Society incorporates in Philadelphia.
1935 Persia officially changed its name to Iran.
1962 A bear becomes the first creature to be ejected at supersonic speeds.
1963 Alcatraz, maximum security prison on the island in San Francisco Bay, closes after 29 years.
1979 Egyptian Parliament unanimously approve peace treaty with Israel.
1980 On the television show Dallas, J.R. Ewing is shot.
1984 Part of Central Park is named Strawberry Fields honoring John Lennon.
1985 Arthur Ashe is named to International Tennis Hall of Fame.
1990 Namibia becomes independent of South Africa, and Sam Nujoma becomes president.
1994 Wayne Gretzky ties Gordie Howe's NHL record of 801 goals.

First Day of Spring (March 21) Birthdays
1685 Johann Sebastian Bach, composer
1816 Charlotte Bronte, novelist and poet
1869 Florenz Ziegfield, American impresario
1958 Gary Oldman, actor
1962 Rosie O'Donell, actress, comedian and talk show host
1963 Matthew Broderick, American actor
1978 Kevin Federline, husband to Britney Spears
What's Your Sign, Baby?
Aries [March 21 to April 19; meaning - ram; brightest star - Alpha Arietis; element - fire; ruling planet - Mars]
Under the tropical zodiac, Aries is associated with the vernal equinox. Aries is the first sign of the Zodiac and associated with fresh vigor and new beginnings. Individuals born under this sign are thought to be confident, aggressive, energetic, active, adventurous, enthusiastic, fair and passionate.

Taurus [April 20 to May 21; meaning - bull; brightest star - Aldebaron; element - earth; ruling planet - Venus]
Taurus is the second sign of the Zodiac and is associated with material pleasure. Individuals born under this sign are thought to be calm, patient, reliable, loyal, affectionate, sensuous, ambitious, and determined.

Gemini [May 22 to June 21; meaning - twins; brightest star - Pollux; element - air; ruling planet - Mercury]
Gemini is the third sign of the Zodiac and associated with youth and versatility. Individuals born under this sign are thought to have a sociable, fun-loving, versatile, lively, communicative, liberal, mentally active and friendly character.

This Time, Last Year(s)... March 21 (First Day of Spring) History
1556 Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Cranmer is burned at the stake.
1697 Czar Peter the Great begins tour through West Europe.
1804 French civil Code of Napoleon is adopted.
1851 Yosemite Valley is discovered in California.
1859 First Zoological Society incorporates in Philadelphia.
1935 Persia officially changed its name to Iran.
1962 A bear becomes the first creature to be ejected at supersonic speeds.
1963 Alcatraz, maximum security prison on the island in San Francisco Bay, closes after 29 years.
1979 Egyptian Parliament unanimously approve peace treaty with Israel.
1980 On the television show Dallas, J.R. Ewing is shot.
1984 Part of Central Park is named Strawberry Fields honoring John Lennon.
1985 Arthur Ashe is named to International Tennis Hall of Fame.
1990 Namibia becomes independent of South Africa, and Sam Nujoma becomes president.
1994 Wayne Gretzky ties Gordie Howe's NHL record of 801 goals.

First Day of Spring (March 21) Birthdays
1685 Johann Sebastian Bach, composer
1816 Charlotte Bronte, novelist and poet
1869 Florenz Ziegfield, American impresario
1958 Gary Oldman, actor
1962 Rosie O'Donell, actress, comedian and talk show host
1963 Matthew Broderick, American actor
1978 Kevin Federline, husband to Britney Spears

And What About Global Warming?
According to the National Wildlife Federation, climate warming can instigate the early migration of animals, confusing the ecosystem and making food supply scarce. As species move, they may have to deal with different prey, predators and competitors as well as habitats that are less than ideal. It could take centuries for some plants to adapt to global warming.Animals Commonly Associated With Spring...
Gray whale, bald eagle, frog, hummingbird, robin, deer, fox, sea otter, bear, whooping crane, loon, manatee

Insects Commonly Associated With Spring...
Honeybee, monarch butterfly, ladybug, earthworm

Plants/flowers Commonly Associated With Spring...
Azaleas, lilacs, tulips, dahlias, lilies, daffodils, hyacinths, primrose, maple

Songs About Spring...

In Led Zeppelin's "Rain Song," the first verse pays homage to the season of spring.
Van Morrison's "Celtic Spring" references spring throughout its chorus.
Legendary jazz vocalist Billie Holiday chants about love in the song "Some Other Spring."
Frank Sinatra is suddenly young and free in his song "Suddenly It's Spring."
Nina Simone has spring fever in "It Might as Well be Spring."
Tom Waits remembers everything that spring brings in "You Can Never Hold Back Spring."
Lead vocalist of Swedish band Flunk sings about his kiss in "Spring to Kingdom Come."
Folk songstress Dar Williams starts over on "Spring Street," where she's welcome any time.

Top U.S. Spring Break Getaways...
Beaches
Miami, Key West, South Padre Island, Myrtle Beach, Maui

Mountains/Skiing
Jackson Hole, Aspen, Lake Tahoe, Vail

Spring Break Family Trips
Washington DC, New York, Orlando, San Diego

To Everything Turn, Turn, Turn...
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, the seasons are caused by the Earth being tilted on its axis by an average of 23.5 degrees (Earth's tilt on its axis actually varies from near 22 degrees to 24.5 degrees).As the Earth revolves around the Sun, the Sun is directly over the equator. The Sun's energy is in balance between the northern and southern hemispheres. During the spring equinox near March 21st, the Sun is once again directly over the equator.

A common misconception is that the Earth is farther from the sun in winter than in summer. Actually, the Earth is closest to the sun in December, which is winter in the Northern hemisphere.

Spring is the Air!
In the United States and the rest of the northern hemisphere, the first day of the spring season is the day of the year when the Sun crosses the celestial equator moving northward (on March 20th or 21st). This day is known as the vernal equinox.

The vernal equinox marks the beginning of the astrological year when the sun enters the sign of Aries. Also known as Ostara, the pagan goddess of spring and fertility, the vernal equinox signifies new life emerging this time of year.

Spring Forward...
Beginning in 2007, most of the United States begins Daylight Saving Time at 2:00 a.m. on the second Sunday in March and reverts to standard time on the first Sunday in November. In the U.S., each time zone switches at a different time.

According to studies conducted by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Daylight Saving Time saves energy. Results show that Daylight Saving Time trims the entire country's electricity usage by a small but significant amount (about one percent a day) because less electricity is used.

Why Wear a Watch?
One of the best ways to determine spring is by watching and tracking migratory animals, such as fish, bats, birds and butterflies that have an innate biological clock necessary for survival by means of eating, waking/sleeping, blooming, migrating, mating and more.

Nicht mehr all zu lange und im japanischen TV laufen wieder eine Menge neuer Animes an. Neben der Grobzusammenfassung kann man sich auch noch hier von allen Serien die Homepages angucken. Und wenn man das tut wird einem schnell klar was uns bevor steht: Eine ganze Season (Immerhin ein viertel Jahr) voller Grütze.

Zugegeben mit der zweiten Staffel von Code Geass und einigen interessanten Serien wie Macross Frontier und Library Wars sieht die Lage nicht hoffnungslos aus, aber das wars im groben und ganzen schon. Und sonst stehen Kindersendungen auf dem Programm, Shojo-Serien sind auch mit von der Partie und das war es praktisch, abgesehen von ein paar Serien die unguckbar sein dürften. Aber hey, erstmal abwarten und Tee trinken denn die Hoffnung stirbt ja bekannter Maßen zuletzt, man ist ja Optimist und es kann ja schließlich gar nicht so Schlimm werden.

Great new information/pictures/how to coming soon.