There are many perks to heading to large multi-city music festivals this summer, like Lilith. One is the sponsors that will be there offering samples, activities and more. To help Lilith fans drink the water they need while enjoying the show, title sponsor Crystal Light will be in Lilith Village at all U.S. tour stops offering fans a “Refreshing Oasis.” They can get out of the sun to relax and rejuvenate with cooling mist, massage chairs and enjoy free samples of refreshing Crystal Light Pure Fitness. To learn more about Lilith and what Crystal Light is offering fans, visit www.LilithFair.com and www.Facebook.com/CrystalLight.

(ARA) - From local concerts in the park to multi-city touring music festivals like Lilith, the summer is full of outdoor, day-long concerts and events. But before you head out the door to begin your fun in the sun, there are a few things to consider to make sure you're prepared for a good time.

Summer concert season means the chance to sit out under the sun or stars, enjoying friends and your favorite music. But if you're excited about the event, that means others are too, so be ready for crowds. And because it's outside, that means it will likely be hot. Not to worry, though. There are easy tips to keep you rocking out:

• If you're in it for the long haul, bring along picnic blankets or folding chairs. Many outdoor concerts aren't in a stadium, so you'll want a comfortable place to sit, at least while you wait to get on your feet to enjoy the music.
• Remember to drink plenty of water, especially if you're being active. This is especially important since you'll be out in the heat. To enjoy drinking the water you need, try adding flavor to your water with Crystal Light drink mix.
• Don't forget to wear sunscreen to protect your skin, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun's rays are the strongest. And remember, you can burn even when it's cloudy outside.
• Outdoor events - especially some of the larger ones like Lilith, which features "Lilith Village" full of sponsors and activities - cover lots of ground. Don't be surprised if you find yourself doing a lot of walking. To keep your feet blister-free, wear comfortable shoes and make sure to "break in" new shoes you plan to wear.
• Make sure you have good sunglasses. They'll protect your eyes and help you better see your favorite artist. Consider adding a hat as well if you're going to be under the sun all day.

Now that you're prepared and ready to jump in your RV and go, remember to have fun. Laugh with friends, sing and dance to the music, and enjoy the experience.

by Courtesy of ARAcontent

(Photo from the 2009 West Branch International Music Festival)

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That's right: classical. After assembling some of his most distinguished colleagues, founder and Artistic Director Odin Rathnam, the renowned violinist, has put together the annual (and privately funded) West Branch International Music Festival and Academy, with world-class performances of music carefully selected to take audiences on a musical journey through time, from Europe to South America, resulting in concerts that are as varied as they are exciting.

The festival begins July 18 and runs through August 1, 2010, with performances held in the main room of the West Branch Resort's River Run Restaurant, whose 30 foot vaulted ceilings and hardwood and stone surfaces provide superb acoustics. Orchestral programs will take place at the lovely Hancock Area High School auditorium. Repertoires will include Grieg, Mozart, Sibelius and more.

Michele Conrad, Executive Director of the WBIMF&A says, "In addition to the distinguished Faculty/Artist chamber music programs, we have the pleasure of presenting two chamber music programs performed by Academy students. These outstanding young artists, selected from leading conservatories in the US and abroad, represent the next generation of classical artists. It is an important part of the Festival/Academy's vision to train and work with these talented students, addressing a broad range of issues as they relate to the creative process. All concerts, including those by Academy students, will be recorded for future broadcast."

A complete schedule of programs, as well as advance ticket sales (strongly recommended), can be found at www.westbranchfestival.org. Optional Festival Getaway packages including fishing, sporting clays, lodging, meals, and concert packages are also offered by the West Branch Resort. Concert ticket prices are very attractive, starting at only five dollars, with the highest prices being thirty dollars for chamber music concerts with included receptions. Limited at-the-door tickets are also available, but not recommended, as full houses are expected.

As far as local campgrounds, Matt Batschelet,General Manager, West Branch Resort, said, "Unfortunately, we were flooded about 4 years ago, and it destroyed all RV sites within the resort. But there are several Parks & RV resorts within a short drive from the resort.

Huestward Ho Family Campground
62 H Decker Road
Deposit NY 13754
607-467-3246

Oxbow Campsites
3026 Route 30
East Branch, NY 13756
607-363-7141

Soaring Eagle Campground
570-224-4666
www.soaringeaglecampground.com

Founder Rathnam is passionate about this event and sees it as a harbinger of bigger and better things to come. "We have huge hopes for this festival," he says, "not only that it will be a richly rewarding experience for all who participate and attend, while giving a much-needed boost to the economy here - but we also want to see if the model we have established will work on a larger scale. We think it might be catalytic to a whole new type of program in the U.S."

In more ways than one, the West Branch Festival just could be musical history in the making.

For more information or to purchase advance tickets, visit the festival website at www.westbranchfestival.org.

by West Branch International Music Festival

U.S. Capitol

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Historic Ford's Theater

Our nation's capital is one of the most spectacular places to visit because of the enveloping aurora around its monuments and landmarks. There's a substantial amount of history and knowledge to be uncovered by visiting Washington and viewing some of their greatest DC Attractions. As Memorial Day approaches, parks are blistering with festivities and exhibitions. Some of the greatest events occurring on or around Memorial Day are as follows:

• PBS' National Memorial Day Concert, opening at 5 p.m. on the West Lawn(Sunday, May 30th)
• National Memorial Day Parade, beginning at 2 p.m. and proceeding from Constitution Avenue and ending at The Whitehouse (Monday, May 31, 2010)
• Rolling Thunder Motorcycle Rally, departing from the Pentagon at 12 p.m. (Sunday, May 30th)
• GI Film Festival (May 12-16th)
• Arlington National Cemetery Tour, beginning at 11 a.m. (Monday, May 31st)
• Navy Memorial, beginning at 11 a.m. (Saturday May 29th)
• Vietnam Veterans Memorial, beginning at 1 p.m. (Monday, May 31st)
• WWII Memorial, beginning at 9am (Monday, May 31st)
• Air Force Memorial, beginning at 9 a.m. (Monday, May 31st)

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Lincoln Cottage circa 1863

Although, The Memorial Day festivities are a sliver of what you can find in D.C. Other things to do in DC. Other than simply visiting let's say, The Washington Monument, or Lincoln Memorial, there's a large amount of actual activities and/or tours to engage in. This includes Ford's Theatre Tour, Ghost Tours, Lincoln Assassination Tour, and Old Town Alexandria Tour; all of which are walking tours. Before, during or after, you may also want to check out places like The Capital Visitor Center, Whitehouse Visitor Center, or The U.S. Capital Building; all of which are highly popular amongst tourists.

Washington also has a plethora (over 150) of museums. Some of their most popular include The Smithsonian National Museum(s), The U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, The Newseum, Mount Vernon estate and Gardens Museum, and lastly The National Museum of Crime and Punishment, which exhibits excellent depictions of historically famous crime scenes. In addition, there's a multitude of sightseeing, There are also some newer establishments/museums that may be of interest including:

1. The German-American Heritage Museum
2. Ford's Theatre
3. The Capital Visitor Center
4. The National Museum of American History (renovations)
5. Lincoln's Cottage

For a thorough list of things to do in DC, feel free to check out attractions, where the list everything from government buildings to parks and recreation! Also, be sure to check out some rates on accommodations and travel at http://www.wdcahotels.com/. A trip to Washington, D.C. may not be the most lavish of all your vacation expenditures, but it's certainly one that you will not forget.

Erik Braunitzer
National Museum of Crime & Punishment
575 7th St. NW
Washington, DC 20004
(202) 621-5561
www.crimemuseum.org

by Erik Braunitzer/National Museum of Crime & Punishment