| Wisconsin Tourism Corner Baby, it's cold outside Chill out inside when it's chilly outside By Val Davis |
| Yes, Wisconsin's winter landscape is a beautiful, peaceful one, but, let's face it -- it's cold! Delicious food, relaxing spa retreats, and inspiring art and culture events will warm you body as well as your soul. When the temperatures outside start to drop, turn to these indoor activities to keep you warm and happy inside, away from the elements. Performances and exhibitions to inspire you This winter you can see award-winning performers throughout the state, from Savion Glover in Appleton to Diane Reeves in Madison. Fox Cities Performing Art Center in Appleton is playing host to a number of performers from around the world, including tap-dancing sensation Savion Glover, won a Tony AwardŽ in 1996 for his groundbreaking choreography in the smash hit Broadway musical Bring in 'Da Noise, Bring in 'Da Funk. Then there's jazz singer, Nenna Freelon, paying homage to her idol, Billie Holiday in a cabaret show at the beginning of the year. Other performers, including the internationally celebrated Soweto Gospel Choir, are scheduled for the winter season at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center. For a complete schedule, visit www.foxcitiespac.com. Take in cultural art exhibitions at the John Michael Kohler Art Center, with themes including the legacy of African American hair through Sonya Clark's, Tangles and Teeth, exhibit, which incorporates sculptures created with fine-tooth combs. Intersections: Shifting Identity In Contemporary Art is a series of paintings, photographs, and installations by artists who honor and preserve their heritage while emphasizing a new sense of cultural identity. John Michael Kohler Art Center also has an ongoing Hmong art exhibit, featuring heritage and traditional art The Milwaukee Public Museum presents, Celebrations of Culture: Bridging Yesterday and Today, celebrating the heritage, stories, art, music, and more from cultures around the world. The series runs through May 2007. Milwaukee's music venues also feature an amazing line-up of world-renowned performers this winter. Check with individual venues for complete lists and schedules. Ahhh ... the Spa Perhaps the best way to beat the chill of winter is to relax in a sauna, or treat yourself to a hot stone massage, or any other sweet indulgence. Wisconsin offers state-of-the-art spas sprinkled all over the state. Many of the resort destinations have in-house spa facilities, where you can be pampered while the rest of the family is enjoying an outdoor activity like sledding or ice skating, or splashing indoors at a water park. Log on to www.travelwisconsin.com for a list of spas. There are so many ways to relax here, you may never want to leave. Food, glorious food! Wisconsin's fine-dining destinations are among the best in the country. Recently, Gourmet magazine ranked two state restaurants among the 50 best in the United States for 2006. Madison's L'Etoile and Milwaukee's Sanford restaurants had also been included in Gourmet's 50 best list in 2001 as well. Among the honorees is Bartolotta Ristorante di Mare in the Wynn Las Vegas complex in Las Vegas, whose chef and co-owner Paul Bartolotta is from Wauwatosa and part of the Bartolotta family and their Milwaukee restaurant group, which includes Lake Park Bistro, featuring French cuisine, Ristorante Bartolotta and its authentic Italian fare, among others. By the way, L'Etoile has been invited by the James Beard House this year to prepare the Thanksgiving holiday meal -- an honor for any restaurant. Sheboygan is home to The Immigrant Restaurant at The American Club. A DiRoNa award winner and Wine Spectator "Best of Award of Excellence" winner, The Immigrant Restaurant is The American Club's showcase restaurant. You'll find more fantastic Wisconsin restaurants at www.travelwisconsin.com. For more information on destinations and events that are of interest to multicultural travelers, log on to www.travelwisconsin.com for free planning guides or call the Wisconsin Department of Tourism's live operated toll-free number 1-800-432-TRIP (8747). Visitors also can obtain guides and information at Wisconsin Travel Centers, which are located in select state-border cities. Remember, Wisconsin is "All that ... and then some!!!" |
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