Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Easter Celebrations

Have a wonderful Easter shared with loved ones... Easter is the most important Christian festival of the year. Easter celebrates the return to life of Jesus Christ, the founder of Christianity, after His Crucifixion. Jesus's return to life is called the Resurrection. The Gospels tell that on the morning two days after Jesus's death His tomb was found empty. Soon, Jesus's followers began to see Him and talk with Him. Christians believe Jesus's Resurrection means that they, too, can receive new life after death. The Easter festival celebrates this belief. Most Christians observe Easter on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. Thus, the festival can occur on any Sunday between March 22 and April 25. In the Eastern Orthodox Churches, the celebration of Easter may take place later because these churches use additional factors in calculating the date of the festival. The Easter festival is closely associated with spring. The new plant life that appears in spring symbolizes the new life Christians gain because of Jesus's Crucifixion and Resurrection. The word Easter may have come from an early English word, Eastre. Some scholars say Eastre was the name of a pagan goddess of spring, the name of a spring festival, or the name of the season itself. Other scholars believe the word Easter comes from the early German word eostarun, which means dawn. This word may be an incorrect translation of the Latin word albae, meaning both dawn and white. Easter was considered a day of "white" because newly baptized church members wore white clothes at Easter observances. -A number of popular customs are observed during the Easter season. Some are followed by most Christians. Others are observed in a particular area or by a particular group. Carnivals provide opportunities for feasting and merrymaking before the solemn fast days of Lent. The word carnival comes from the Latin word carnelevarium, which means removal of meat. The most famous carnival is the Mardi Gras, celebrated on Shrove Tuesday, the day before Lent begins. Mardi Gras is a French term that means Fat Tuesday. It refers to the fat ox that traditionally led a procession on Shrove Tuesday in France. Carnivals often feature parades in which people wear elaborate costumes. The best-known Mardi Gras parade in North America takes place in New Orleans. Easter eggs. Exchanging and eating Easter eggs is a popular custom in many countries. In most cases, chicken eggs are used. The eggs are hard-boiled and dyed in various colors and patterns. Many countries have their own traditional patterns. Probably the most famous Easter eggs are those designed in Ukraine and Poland, where Christians decorate the eggs with complicated red, black, and white patterns. In many countries, children hunt for Easter eggs hidden about the home. Children in the United Kingdom, Germany, and some other countries play a game in which eggs are rolled against one another or down a hill. The egg that stays uncracked the longest wins. Since 1878, children in Washington, D.C., have been invited to roll eggs on the White House lawn. Passion Plays dramatize the Easter story. Such plays have been performed during the Easter season since the Middle Ages. The most famous one is usually presented every 10 years in Oberammergau, in southern Germany. It dates from 1634. In the United States, Passion Plays are performed annually in several cities. Feasting. Easter Sunday is a feast day. Many Christians in eastern Europe and those of eastern European ancestry in North America have their Easter feast blessed by a priest. The priest may go to the home, or families may take their food to church for the blessing. Wearing new clothes for Easter is a custom common among many Christians. It may have originated from the old practice of having newly baptized Christians wear new white clothes for the Easter celebration. Like many other Easter symbols, the new clothes represent the new life offered through the death and Resurrection of Jesus. Easter promenades of people in new clothes are a tradition in many European towns and villages. Some of these promenades are led by a person holding a cross or an Easter candle. In New York City, thousands of people stroll in the Easter Parade down Fifth Avenue to show off their new clothes following Easter services. Other customs. Many communities follow customs of the Easter season that are special to them. In Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, for example, a trombone choir of the Moravian Church plays hymns throughout the city before dawn on Easter Sunday to call church members to a sunrise service in the old Moravian cemetery. At the cemetery, the trombones play a joyful chorus as the sun appears on the horizon.

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Something Old Meets Something New

Upcoming Vintage Glamour Show this Sunday, March 24, 2013 • 11:00 - 3:00 Vintage Wedding Gowns & More! 308 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles About the Show: The Vintage Glamour Show is a unique bridal event which will tour major cities of the united States. The shows are dedicated to celebrating the blend of vintage and modern elements in today's wedding planning. We aim to showcase the most unique and creative vendors who are able to present brides-to-be with a delicate blend of modern and vintage styles. Our events are focused on celebrating, networking and inspiring people - not only brides-to-be, but also family, friends and wedding professionals. If you are planning a wedding or other special event and are inspired by the blend of "Something Old Meets Something New", please come to our show on Sunday! Heather SF Productions (310) 508-3846 For Complimentary Tickets: www.vintageglamour.eventbrite.com www.glambridalshow.com

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Event at Harborside, Newport Beach

March 20, 2013 • 6:30 - 9:00pm Harborside Pavilion 400 Main Street, Balboa Village The Harborside Grand Ballroom is Newport Beach’s premier waterfront venue for events offering an exceptional locale, staff experience, full service delicious cuisine & beverage and impeccable service while remaining surprisingling affordable. The Harborside Grand Ballroom is located in the historic and picturesque Balboa Pavilion. The Balboa Pavilion, which opened in 1905, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a designated California Landmark. Famous for its world-renowned cupola and illuminated by more than 1,400 white lights, the Balboa Pavilion has served as the beacon of Newport Beach for 100 years. See the beauty of Elegant Wind Waves, Memory Lane Events and White Feathers Events Special deals from Diana & Company Jewelry Designs, Premier Bridal Shows, and more! Pick up your complimentary copy of The Wedding Guide Savor the Creations from the chefs of Harborside Pavilion and Amazing Cake Creations Enjoy the sounds of Quinto Sol Entertainment Make Memories with our Featured Photographer and Party Time Photobooth BRIDES AND GROOMS ARE FREE! VENDORS: Mixer is $15.00 Prepaid and $20.00 at the door. Raffle prizes include Groom's Tungsten Ring from Diana & Co. Jewelry Designs (Value $300) (714) 970-6380 • www.ocbrides.com

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Lakewood Wedding Event

Celebrate St. Patrick's Day on Sunday at a Bridal Show! Lakewood Country Club Upcoming Bridal Show March 17, 2013 • 12:00 - 3:00pm 3101 Carson St., Lakewood (562) 421-0550 ext. 2 - privateeventdirector@lakewoodgolf.net www.americangolf.com/lakewood-country-club/event

Monday, March 4, 2013

March Bridal Shows

Two fantastic Wedding Expos this weekend that we will be attending... Bridal Showplace March 10, 2013 11:00am - 3:00pm The Crowne Plaza Anaheim Resort 12021 Harbor Blvd Garden Grove, CA 92840 11:00 to 3:00pm You can have your photo taken at the photo booths, learn the latest trends at the Wedding Planning Seminars, Ask the Experts, get free wedding planners and magazines. Preview the latest bridal fashions for the entire bridal party featured in our beautifully choreographed fashion shows. Enter to win thousands of $$$ in Door Prizes. Grooms are special too - at each event we hold a separate "Groom's Only Drawing". Bridal Showplace (562) 381-2865 • www.bridalshowplace.net __AND__ Sunday - March 10, 2013 Sheraton Delfina 530 Pico Boulevard Santa Monica, CA 90405 Show Hours: 11 am - 3 pm Showcasing Southern California's top wedding professionals for all your wedding planning needs. Shop, compare and get insights and advice from the leading wedding experts. Preview new ideas and fresh styles. Taste gourmet cake and cuisine, see fashion, enjoy music/entertainment and take advantage of show discounts and giveaways. Have fun while discovering the best options to make your dream wedding come true! (714) 572 -1363 www.PremierBridalShows.com