Forget the fact that in some parts of the U.S., there's snow on the ground. IT'S HERE! IT'S HERE! SPRING IS FINALLY HERE!
At long last, spring is tomorrow! Of course, we here are having a difficult time believing that every time we look out the windows in our office, but officially it is arriving tomorrow at 11:02 UTC, or 7:02 AM EDT/4:02 AM PDT in the United States.
As with sports, spring is a great time to attend a concert, especially in smaller, amphitheater-like settings. With the back walls open, you can grab a lawn seat and, if it's not an actual seat, spread out a little and enjoy the show.
It is in this environment that a group like the Dave Matthews Band thrives. The band knows exactly how to keep its fans entertained: good grooves, creativity and improvisation, and an intimate atmosphere provided by the amphitheater setting (though they sometimes play arenas, too). These are just a few reasons their annual summer tours tend to be very popular. Anyone who's experienced the major traffic jams whenever they come to Hartford, CT, could tell you that.
As luck would have it, almost every concert on their upcoming summer tour is in an amphitheater; the ones that are not are in theaters or festival grounds, which are usually similarly intimate settings. The tour begins May 17 in Spring, TX, and ends September 8 in Mountain View, CA. DMB also has a couple remaining shows from the winter tour coming up on April 6 in Birmingham, AL, and April 27 in Southaven, MS. Finally, the band will be performing at the New Orleans Jazz Fest on April 28.
Over the past week, we have been counting down the days until spring will finally be here. As a sports enthusiast, spring is an amazing time of the year. During the 93 days of spring, the NCAA men's and women's basketball tournaments take place, the NBA and NHL playoffs will start and almost end, and the NFL will have its annual draft at Radio City Music Hall. But the top thing I am looking forward to this season, is the start of the 2013 Major League Baseball season on March 31.
Is there any sport more connected to spring then baseball? When Spring Training officially began in late February, everyone began to see the light at the end of the dark, cold, winter tunnel, and began eagerly awaiting the start of the baseball season. There is nothing quite like sitting at ballpark when the weather is warm enough that you can wear just a T-Shirt and shorts, but cool enough that you won't break a sweat sitting in the sun. Perfection.
As a Red Sox fan myself, there is not really the same excitement as in years past, but that doesn't matter. I love baseball. And if you are a die-hard fan like me, you always stick behind your team, for better or worse. Despite the less-than-stellar outlook for the Red Sox this year, I can't wait for all the baseball debates I will have this year. The most heated sports arguments always seem to be between baseball rivals. There is not a Yankees fan out there that I don't love arguing with (except my wife; we have agreed not to talk about it, specifically anything Derek Jeter related).
When the season starts, I can always count on tuning into a game every night for the next six months. There is nothing quite like it. I love all sports, but Major League Baseball has a much more sentimental value in my heart and that is why it's my favorite thing about the spring season.
What sports event or game that are you looking forward most in spring 2013?
Spring is coming and that means warm weather, which means the desire to go on vacation greatly increases. Many kids get a week of vacation during springtime (unless you've been subjected to this year's New England Nor'easter), so families will often pick it as a time to take a trip.
If you're currently planning a trip this spring, you know there are just so many options from which to choose, but here are five ideas to start off.
Cherry Blossom Festival - Washington, DC
Held yearly in Washington, DC, the festival commemorates the 1912 gift of 3,000 cherry blossom trees from Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo, Japan, and honors the relationship between the United States and Japan. After initially receiving a batch of diseased trees, new ones were sent and then-First Lady Helen Taft planted one of the first trees. The festival has been held every year since then, except during World War II.
The festival expanded to five weeks last year, giving visitors plenty of time to get involved with events happening during it, including the popular parade and Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival. And of course, the actual blooming of the trees themselves.
Visit the official website to learn more about all of the events happening during the Cherry Blossom Festival, including the major Signature Events.
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Although what constitutes spring varies depending on local climate and location in the world, in New England, it’s hard not to be super psyched about the beautiful weather that will become part of our daily life. (That is, if all goes well.)
Longer days, leisurely strolls outside, a sunny day with a light breeze — I want it all. Mostly, I just want to say goodbye to winter and tell it never to come back again. (Of course, talk to me next Christmas when I'm sad there's no snow.) Here are 50 (yep, 50) things we can finally do once spring rolls around.
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