Nino Katamadze will be performing in New York in May.

Georgian living legend of jazz is finally coming to United States! Her live performance at Town Hall will be its New York City premiere. She will be accompanied by award winning musicians and ready to delight the audience with the introduction of a newly created album.

She is an example of a self-made singer-songwriter whose music has deeply touched souls of millions throughout Georgia, Russia and Europe. She is a diva of jazz and blues, her music varies in tones colors and dynamics, her highly emotional songs impress with their intensity and the profound effect it has on people. She is an exceptionally gifted woman who knows how to entirely devote herself to music.

Having achieved many awards and prizes during the last 20 years of her successful career, Nino has been staying on a right path never losing her love to the art of music, her dedication to people and her fairness to life. She is world-renowned for her talent and kind heart. Her life and personality have helped her grow into both strong and fragile woman, tracing her lyrics with feelings of bitterness, hardship and love.

But what we see as a result are the meaningful and touching songs of a star of her nation, of a heroine among her peoples and a unique woman singing jazz and blues about life.

Join us to be a part of the events!

Video Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZkcIx-JpKA

There’s no doubt that every country has a New Year tradition that starts a New Year with some sort of gusto and life force. After all New Year’s Eve is the end of one year that was filled with life changing or life threatening experiences and a celebration is always in order to usher in a New Year filled with positive expectations.

New Year traditions may seem the same around the world, but each country differs due to past and present local customs, as well as cultural and social attitudes about how one should celebrate. Countries around the world have unique expressions that is noticeable on New Year’s Eve so understanding what the word celebrate means in different countries is an interesting learning experience.

Countries around the World That Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Cultural Style

Every country has a unique style when it comes to New Year’s Eve celebrations but here are some of our favorites:

Australia






The Aussies know how to celebrate the end as well as the beginning of a year in Australia. It starts at midnight December 31st with rattles, horns, church bells, and car horns, and continues with a picnic or a camping adventure on the beach the next day.

Great Britain



The first male house visitor in Great Britain on New Year’s Eve bring good luck in the form of money, coal, or bread to ensure the family will have enough of those things in the coming year. The first visitor can’t be a woman, and men can’t have blond hair or red hair; they bring bad luck. The people in London gather in Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square to hear Big Ben Chime at midnight.

Germany



The people in Germany drop molten lead into cold water and tell the future by the shape the lead makes in the water. A bite of food is left on their plates after midnight to ensure the coming year is filled with abundance.

Hungary



If your name is Jack Straw do not go to Hungary for New Year's Eve, because the chances are you will be burnt. The tradition in Hungary on the 31st December is to burn an effigy called Jack Straw which represents all the evil and bad luck in the world. The effigy is taken around all the villages.

India



Diwali or the festival of lights starts the Indian New year. Gifts are exchanged and people try to complete any work that’s not finished.

Japan






Start laughing! Think of something funny at midnight and let loose. Ringing in the New Year with laughter brings good luck.

Netherlands






People burn Christmas Trees in street bonfires and let fireworks ring in the New Year.

Russia






In Russia Grandfather Frost wears a blue suit instead of Santa’s red suit and he arrives on New Year’s Eve with toys and gifts for the children.

Spain



Stop whatever you’re doing at midnight and get out your grapes. In Spain, revelers eat 12 grapes, one for each chime of the clock. They bring good luck for the 12 months of the New Year.

Scotland


The first person to walk through your door on New Year sets the tone for the rest of the year. At least according to the Scottish tradition of “First footing.” the best luck will come from a tall, dark and handsome man bringing you a gift- preferably whiskey.

Denmark


Hope you’ve been saving your old plates, because it’s tradition to throw them at friend’s doors! The more broken dishes you find outside, the more friends you have. Then, at midnight, Danish partiers get on top of their chairs and jump off as a way of leaping into the New Year.

Ireland


Get out the bread and start hammering it against the walls. The bread ensures plenty of food for the next year and banging on the walls drives out evil spirits.

Wish you all a very Happy New Year!!!!!!

 

We all know how the people of the United States celebrate Christmas. Do you know how people of the world celebrate this festivity? Of course here in the United States we have many different cultures living in the same neighborhoods. It is possible that some of you already follow some of the traditions.

Belgium

The children there believe it is kindly Saint Nicholas who brings them their presents. They also believe he rides a horse so they leave him hay and carrots and water for the horse just outside the house on December 6.

China

The Christians in China light their homes with beautiful paper lanterns. Santa is called Dun Che Lao Ren. The children hang stockings just as we do.

Denmark

Santa is known as Julemanden and he arrives in a sleigh pulled by reindeer with a sack full of gifts. Danish children know the elves as Juul Nisse, and believe that they live in the attics of their homes. Instead of cookies and glasses of milk, they leave rice pudding and saucers of milk out for them.

England

Santa is known as Father Christmas, wearing long red robes and had sprigs of holly in his hair. Instead of mailing out their Christmas list, children throw it into the fireplace and Father Christmas reads the smoke. England is also where the tradition of hanging stockings by the chimney began, due to the fact that Father Christmas once accidentally dropped some gold coins on his way down the chimney which got caught in a drying stocking.

The second custom is what is known as Boxing Day. It is celebrated the first weekday after Christmas. What this means is that small wrapped boxes with food and sweets, or small gifts, or coins are given to anyone who comes calling that day.

France

Santa is known as Pere Noel. He is accompanied by Pre Fouettard who keep track of who has been good or bad for Pere Noel. In some parts of France, Pere Noel brings small gifts in the beginning of December (Dec 6) and comes back to deliver more on Christmas. The children get to open their gifts on Christmas, but the adults have to wait until New Years. It is also a tradition in France that, the children place their shoes by the fire place in hopes that Father Christmas of Little Jesus will place gifts for them. They also have dinner at midnight on December 24 this is called Le Reveillon.

Italy

In Italy, the main exchange of gift doesn't occur until January 6th; the day traditionally believed that the Wise Men reached the baby Jesus. Italy has La Befana who brings gifts for the good and punishment for the bad. She is the same character as Russia's Babouschka who refused to give the Wise Men food and shelter. The nativity scene is set up in many communities and they compete for the best nativity.

India

Houses are decorated with strings of mango leaves. Lights are place on the window sills and walls and a star is hung outside. A sweet holiday treat is made called thali and it is brought to neighbors and friends.

Japan

The Japanese decorate their stores and homes with greens. The only part of Christmas that they celebrate is the giving of gifts. HOTEIOSHA the priest is like their Santa Claus, and he brings the children their presents.

Mexico

Mexico calls Christmas Navidad. They celebrate Christmas for nine days with Las Pasdas. It is a time where people dress as Mary and Joseph, traveling from house to house asking if Mary may stay the night. After which the door opens back up and all are invited in for a party with food, songs, and for the children a Pinata. The Pinata is made of paper mache and filled with all kinds of goodies. The object is to break it open with your eyes blindfolded. After which the children all dive for all the goodies they can pick up. On the ninth night they are told yes there is room for Mary in the stable and all come in for food and after all go to Church to celebrate the birth of the Christ Child.

The Netherlands

Santa is known as Sinterklaas, and he came to Sweden originally by boat, setting out on December 6th from Spain. He makes his gift deliveries by horseback. The children leave their shoes out, filled with hay and sugar for Sinterklaas' horse. In the morning they find their shoes filled with candy and nuts. When Sinterklaas appears to the children, he takes the form of their father or a favorite male relative.

Sweden

The Swedish people call Santa tomte, and see him as a gnome who comes out from under the floor of the house or barn carrying his sack of gifts for them. He rides in a sleigh drawn by a goat. Santa Lucia day, the oldest daughter wears a wreath of seven candles on her head and servers a special meal of ham, fish, and rice pudding.

Julkapp is another custom, in Sweden. A present is wrapped in many layers of paper and then someone knocks on the door to a house and they leave the gift their. The longer it takes for the present to be opened the better the Julkapp.

Russia

Babouschka is an older woman who would bring gifts for the children. The tradition says that she failed to give food and shelter to the three wise men and so she now searches the countryside for the baby Jesus, visiting all children giving gifts as she goes. Santa was known as Saint Nicholas but today is called Grandfather Frost, wearing a blue outfit instead of red.

Before the Revolution of 1917, Russians used to stroll up and down the streets with stars on the end of sticks that they called Stars of Bethlehem. The people went to church services and shared a special meal at home. After 1917, the Soviet Government banned Christmas. What the Russians do today is celebrate New Year’s Day with Dyed Moroz Grandfather Frost, and his helper “Syyegorachika” the Snow Maiden to bring them their gifts.

Switzerland

Santa Claus is called CHRISTKIND, the Christ Child coming to bring gifts to the children dressed in all white with a golden crown. He is helped by Saint Nicholas.

Image: http://www.auntpeaches.com/2010/12/christmas-with-kermit_27.html