The Buffalo Soldiers

As members of the 9th and 10th Cavalry and the 24th and 25th Infantry regiments, the celebrated Buffalo soldiers were the first African Americans to serve in any peacetime army. This touching exhibition pays tribute to those known as 'The Buffalo Soldiers' in an intimate show consisting of 71 framed pictures, five etchings by Frederick Remington and five mannequins dressed in authentic period uniforms. The exhibition is circulated by Smith Kramer Fine Arts Services, Kansas City.

Bac Ha Sunday Market

Cheap Hotels versus Backpackers Hostels - which is for you?

Most industry insiders are envisioning this year more folks will be jetting off on town breaks, inter-railing round Europe and sometimes heading off traveling in larger numbers than ever seen. And they are spoiled for choice when it comes to the sheer range of glorious accommodation options out there. Hotels the quantity of backpackers hotels and independent youth hotels has soared responding to increased requirement for inexpensive accommodation, as a consequence of a radical overhaul from the travel industry in the last 5 years, or so. The package vacation for so long a staple of summer vacations has become chronically out of date, as folks increasingly looked to move away from the uniformity that they promoted.

And the traditional high st travel agent is feeling the pressure, as folk increasingly found they could cut out the middle man and make their own agreements on the internet. Given this, folks had to find some type of cheap accommodation on their vacations. And the answer came increasingly from the ranks of the independent youth hotels and backpackers hotels. On reflection, it's tough to see which came 1st, the great accommodation or the booking sites that drive them.

It is going without saying that there could not be one without the other. Now well-stocked kitchens or cool communal areas boasting libraries crammed with travel guides and DVDs, prove the rule instead of the exception.

And just as the hotels have increased in recognition ( and quality ), so too has the remainder of the budget accommodation sector started to pay particular attention to the numbers of folk, and offering an ever-improving service for slightly less than you'd think.

Increasingly, owners of little hostels are putting aside a share of rooms online for the budget traveler, safe in the certainty that they're going to be gobbled up. World travelers are increasingly looking out for a sense of uniqueness, of individuality. Both usually outline themselves as 'homey' and ok with stress on private service instead of luxury. And their replenished renown has come as a consequence of these values being increasingly in demand by footsore travelers. Like the budget hotel market they have showed improvement to a shift in the market, and the rise of boutique hostels by radically improving their service. Terraces Hovering somewhere between the service offered by a backpackers hotel ( with a kitchen and lounge area as a general rule ) and a hotel ( you do not have to share your accommodation with any one else ) leasing a flat has turned into a viable alternative option to the usual bargain hotel / BB / hotel options.

The hostels sector has even answered to the requirement for apartment-style accommodation with the expansion of aparthotels. Groups can truly fill out a loft and make it somewhere that they will really anticipate returning to at the end of a tedious day's sightseeing, while long-stayers can settle in and spread out more than they could in an inexpensive hotel or hotel. At the end, things have barely looked as rosy for travelers with a budget.

Cobra: Experimental Art

Although the 'Cobra' movement was only in existence for three years - 1948 to 1951 - its impact lives on today. Inspired by primitive art, the members of Cobra believed in totally free expression using whatever inspiration and materials they could find. The artists believed in 'letting themselves go' and some of the results can be seen in this exhibition where 40-odd pieces are on show, some of them for the first time.

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The Nutcracker with the University Symphony Orchestra

A magical holiday tradition, 'The Nutcracker' ballet is based on the book 'The Nutcracker and the Mouse King' and hasn't changed much since Tchaikovsky was commissioned to write the music over a century ago. When her godfather gives Clara the gift of a nutcracker at Christmas, she is flung into a dream world where she does battle with the evil Mouse King and wins. Her nutcracker changes into a prince and together they journey through the land of snow and the land of sweets. This production features a cast of over 150 dancers.

7000 Years of Persian Art

For the first time since the Revolution of 1979 the Iranian government has agreed to loan some of the stellar exhibits from Tehran's National Museum. These include 180 objects, among them clay figures dating to almost 7000 years BC to ceramic vessels from the 10th-century AD. Pride of place must however go to the magnificent gold and silver drinking vessels of the Archamenian Kings (588-330BC), rulers of the first Empire in history and responsible for founding the magnificent cities of Susa and Persepolis.

The Glasgow Hospitals' Carol Concert

Richard Jeffcoat conducts the Greater Glasgow Health Services Choir in this fundraising concert for Sargent Cancer Care for Children.

The State Room

Packed with celeb watchers and dressed-up wannabes, this glamorous newcomer has everything expected from a hot Gold Coast restaurant. Reminiscent of 1950s' Hollywood and today's South Miami Beach, it is opulent to a fault with crystal-and-pewter chandeliers and white gossamer drapes and flashy as all get out with iridescent blue neon. The menu is encased in a volume heavy enough to use for exercise reps and portions are large enough that you may need to. Steaks and prime rib are tops (especially garlic-flavoured steak Vesuvio) and desserts feed four.

Paul Simon

You've got to hand it to Paul Simon, he doesn't give up easily. By now most of his contemporaries, if they're performing at all, are doing retro showcase gigs. But the man who started out all those years ago as a Greenwich Village folkie just came out with a new album, 'You're the One'. It's his 16th solo effort and marks a long overdue return to his simple folk roots. Acoustic, poetic songs of love are, after all, what Paul Simon does best.

Modigliani and his friends

The Fondazione Cini on the island of San Giorgio has gathered together some 140 works, mostly drawings, by the Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani and his artist friends. The title, however, is somewhat deceptive, since the real star of the show turns out to be Jeanne Hébuterne, Modigliani's lifetime companion who committed suicide following his death. Almost half of the exhibition is devoted to her work, as well as other pieces by Picasso and Dufy. With a beautifully compiled and thoroughly researched catalogue to accompany the show, this is an exhibtion you don't want to miss.

St Tropez, May

Milton Glaser: Graphic Design

The world knows it. Locals live it. It's sold everywhere. The 'I Love NY' logo, created by Milton Glaser, will be on display in 'Milton Glaser: Graphic Design'. Throughout a celebrated career of over 50 years, Glaser designed and illustrated more than 300 posters for clients in the fields of music, theatre, publishing, film and many others. Glaser's other world famous designs include the restaurant and observation decks of the World Trade Center, the Rainbow Room for Rockefeller Center and the World Health Organisation's International AIDS symbol.

Pietro Annigoni

Annigoni - who died in Florence in 1988 - is probably best known for his celebrity portraits, including those of the British Royals. Time magazine even featured his paintings on seven covers. In its determination to uphold the great traditions of the Renaissance, his work has resisted 20th-century trends. On show in this exhibition are some 150 works - many on loan form private collections - including the 1956 portrait of Princess Margaret, known as 'The Good Samaritan'.

Twilight Chamber Music

After a leisurely perusal of the current 'World Without End' exhibition at the Art Gallery, the audience will be entertained by chamber music recitals by soloists, trios and ensembles. The works presented range from modern Australian back to baroque. Solo performers include John Harding on violin, David Pereira on cello, Diana Doherty on oboe and Marchall McGuire on harp. Also performing are the Macquarie Trio and Ensemble 24.

The Carer

A one-hander from the pen of Alan Hopgood sees George Parker (Bud Tingwell) coming to terms with his wife's death from Alzheimer's disease. He had taken two years off work to care for her and now we follow him as he works through the aftermath of her death to find a new direction for his life. It's an understated affair with monologues that never stray into the maudlin but convey a wealth of meaning in their simplicity.