The Boston Traveler

Note the ou at the end of “UniverSoul” because it makes all the difference when it comes to this particular troupe of touring performers.
Atlanta-based UniverSoul Circus was established in 1994 by Cedric Walker, who was searching for a way to showcase the artistry of black culture in areas other than singing and dancing. When he happened upon an exhibit called “Of Blacks and Circus Rings” at a Black Expo one day, the first seeds of the current “Hip Hop Under the Big Top” extravaganza were sown.
On Tuesday, July 1, UniverSoul Circus arrives in Boston to launch its 15th season …read more

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It seems the Franklin Park Zoo has a bit of a dilemma on its hands these days: two African Wattled cranes named Kotze and Pepe, members of an increasingly endangered species, are refusing to mate after they were introduced and housed together for that very purpose.
Wattled cranes only have an estimated 8,000 members left worldwide, and the zoo is attempting to help reverse the troubling trend and preserve the population by producing a hatchling in captivity. Kotze and Pepe could care less, however, leading to a very interesting and funny article at the Boston Globe about the predicament.
Watch the …read more

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Tomorrow is a big day for Boston-area residents who love Italy and authentic Italian culture. You may have heard previously that Air One, Italy’s second largest air carrier after troubled Alitalia, planned to launch an impressive new service out of Logan Airport — direct flights from Boston to Milan, its first venture in the United States.
The inaugural flight was supposed to take place on June 13. It was delayed for two weeks, however, when the airline experienced complications having new seats delivered for its aircrafts.
Now that the problems have been resolved, tomorrow marks the debut of the Boston-Milan …read more

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I’m jumping on a bandwagon of sorts today because this bandwagon needs all the riders it can get. The news came to me via Universal Hub, which got it via Moda di Magno, which got it via Boston Globe columnist Yvonne Abraham.
Those of us who didn’t take to the streets following the Boston Celtics’ impressive NBA Championship victory last week apparently missed quite a celebration, as in riot-level rampaging through the streets in some areas.
Of course, this being the 21st century and all, complete with little things called video-sharing websites, lots of people memorialized lots of questionable behavior on …read more

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Today’s post comes courtesy of the Boston Globe, and I’m sure the newspaper’s staff won’t mind. After all, great travel accessories, such as a bag that can recharge numerous electrical items without using traditional power outlets, are meant to be shared with as many travelers as possible.
The Sunday edition of the Globe featured a short section about a very cool product ideal for those on the go; it’s so cool, many people probably know about it already. A company named Voltaic Systems has a line of bags, including backpacks and messenger varieties, that can hold enough solar-generated wattage …read more

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Who doesn’t like to eat? Okay, I know there are some people who don’t enjoy it, but for many, the entire ritual of consuming food is a fun activity, not to mention a necessity.
If you have a thing for food (and drink) and you enjoy learning about other regions and cultures around the world, check out the following posts featured recently on blogs in the b5media Travel and Culture Channel.

Filipina Soul: Putong Puti (Rice Muffins)
The Chicago Traveler: Green Zebra Offers Upscale Vegetarian
The Hawaii Traveler: Aloha, and Thanks For All the Fish
The New York City Traveler: 5 Favorite Rooftop Bars …read more

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Boston-area Beatles fans, especially those who admire guitarist and singer John Lennon, have something to get excited about if they’re able to make it to Newton’s recently opened Hotel Indigo (399 Grove Street, Newton, 617-969-5300, 888-ART-1969) this weekend. On Saturday and Sunday, June 28–29, from 11am to 6pm, Lennon’s widow Yoko Ono will present the two-day art exhibit Power to the People, a name shared by Lennon’s fourth single as a solo artist, released in 1971.
Billed as “a look into John’s life through his artwork,” the event will feature the largest collection of Lennon’s art on paper from the …read more

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It’s been a few days now, but Boston residents are still glowing in the aftermath of the Boston Celtics’ victory during the 2008 NBA Finals. That happened on the night of Tuesday June 17, of course, when the players, last in the East just one year ago after amassing the 2006–2007 season’s second poorest win-loss record of 24–58 — only the West’s Memphis Grizzlies fared worse, with a 22–60 record — defeated their West Coast rivals the Los Angeles Lakers 131–92 in game six of the NBA championships.
Three days later, the Boston Globe used the accurate description “a twisting …read more

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Advantage: This 236-room, eight-story, luxury-class boutique hotel is conveniently located in easy traveling distance to downtown Boston (via the Green Line’s Science Park T Station, which is right down the block and across the street), MIT, and Harvard University, and in easy walking distance to the Museum of Science. It also boasts décor and furnishings that are funky yet sophisticated, and it offers a full range of services for business travelers, including meeting space and a business center with computers.
Disadvantage: Past guests point out that many rooms have inadequate or no drawers for storing items, and the location isn’t …read more

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