Ashley Parker Angel

Moms Choose Kids Idol Music for Great Gifts!

Parents are always concerned whether the toys they purchase anytime are safe for their children. There’s even more concern during the holiday season when kids see all the latest toys advertised everywhere they look. One Internet-based retailer, Kids Idol Music, has always provided safe, educational toys for children. Kids Idol Music is the leading re-seller of personalized products for children, with thousands of sales around the world.

Kids Idol has personalized music and video products for children. They market personalized music CD albums and personalized videos. The Kids Idol product line includes personalized music CD’s — CDs where your child’s name is actually sung into the audio and video — and are available for all ages. They range from a Barney Personalized Music CD, a Disney Princess Personalized CD, a Mickey Mouse Personalized Music CD, Veggie Tales Personalized Music CD, and a Wiggles Personalized Music CD.

Kids Idol is also the place to find the Dora The Explorer Personalized Video. It also has a great line of non-licensed, character-personalized music including, a beautiful personalized lullaby album and personalized Christian music.

In 2008, Kids Idol introduced the “You Can Do Anything” personalized DVD. The personalized video contains the child’s name in 8 original songs more than 105 times.

“When my daughter Allie heard her name in the song, she couldn’t believe it. She had the biggest smile on her face!” says customer Patty Cox. “It was a great value for what I paid and the on-line transaction was really easy.” Patty adds that the personalized DVD has a permanent home inside the family minivan. She plays it for her daughter whenever they are out for a drive.

Michael Cappetta is the founder and developer of Kids Idol. “I love getting e-mails from my customers telling me how much they love the product and, more importantly, the child loves the product. It makes my day.”

Cappetta started Kids Idol with a single, freestanding kiosk inside a major shopping mall in Cleveland, Ohio at the age of 17. It has grown to a cross-platform Internet and retail based business.

“Sales are consistently strong throughout the year. When you have a solid product, and provide exceptional customer service, people return to buy other products, and eventually spread the word.”

Cappetta has been featured on WKYC-TV, the NBC network affiliate in Cleveland, and in various print media for his founding and success of Kids Idol.

Kids Idol Music is based just outside Cleveland in Chagrin Falls, Ohio and now has mall kiosks around the country. For more information, visit www.kidsidolmusic.com.

No Business Mind,no Record Deal

By Daniel Medeiros…

The life of a professional musician has all the allure of a million dollars and a one-way ticket to being famous. Is it worth it? Heck, yes! But the only way to becoming a professional musician (and by “musician,” we mean singers and bands, not professional flautists) is to land a record deal. Whether you’re aiming for a mainstream or an indie share of the pie, you need that label to get heard.

Wait, but it’s tough to get signed to a label, right? True. And while there are many changes happening in the music industry right now (especially on the technological side), there is still no better way to make money as a musician than by having an established record label market your music. So how do you sell your soul to the corporate devil? It’s rather tricky, but we’ll walk you through the steps. (And don’t worry, it won’t involve an evening with RIAA President Hilary Rosen, a bottle of tequila, and a Barry White album.)

Unless you’re the next Beatles, there are a thousand other bands like you – so make yourself stand out from the rest by being professional from the beginning…No one will want to sign you unless you’re going to make them money. As such, you and your band must be confident, experienced, dedicated, and have it together (in other words, you must look like you will bring in money).

I have the assumption that you do not have a manager and that you are trying to get signed on your own. If you do have a manager, let the poor guy or gal do his/her job and you just stay out of the way. Otherwise, you need us bad.

http://www.reverbnation.com/jazzalikes

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The Record Ranch – New Online Venue to Cater to Music Lovers

The global economy is in shambles. Ask people involved in the music industry and they’ll probably tell you that their industry has likewise been affected. But there is a bright spot: the renewed interest in vinyl records.

Taking advantage of this vinyl revival is eBay veteran Chris Celeste. He believes that eBay should not be the only major online marketplace where people can go to sell records. In fact, utilizing his years of online experience, his experience working in a ‘mom and pop’ record store in the 90′s and his entrepreneurial drive, Celeste has decided to launch his own online auction site: www.TheRecordRanch.com

The goal of the Record Ranch is to have an auction web site that will serve record and music collectors better than any current site and give music buyers and sellers a safe, trusted and reasonably-priced place to do business. Although the Record Ranch could never replace your neighborhood record store, what it can do is cultivate a friendly, vibrant venue that is driven by both knowledgeable sellers and music fans worldwide.

I spoke with web site owner Chris Celeste about his new site and what consumers can expect from the Record Ranch:

Tell me more about the decision to create the site.

”The seeds for a music-only niche auction site were planted a few years back,” said Chris. “I was quite turned off after participating in some music category restructuring discussions with eBay. I guess I naively assumed that the people that managed the categories had some expertise in their respective categories. From then on, I envisioned a site that served collectors and sellers of just music items; sort of a DIY, by collectors-for-collectors type of concept. Fast forward five-plus years and countless ill-researched site ‘tweaks’ at eBay later; it was clear that the time was right to finally take the plunge. Luckily I have a few guys in my corner that have really helped out.”

How many people are involved in the site (do you have partners)?

”There are essentially three. It’s me, a web developer and a designer. All three of us have been music junkies forever. The other two play in bands and are also great at their trades. It works quite well.”

Obviously you love vinyl, but what is it about records that make them your format of choice?

”For me, vinyl equals great memories and great sound. I grew up in a household full of records. I remember the record covers of my youth like it was yesterday. When I was old enough, it seemed logical to fill my house full of them too. I have a ton of CDs too, but it’s not the same. They’re digitized and they collect dust. Vinyl is just a better experience all around,” explained Chris.

You are now in direct competition with eBay; -what will make your site different than this retail giant?

”Well, for starters, The Record Ranch is a manageable venue,” suggested Chris. “EBay is not a manageable venue at this point and compulsive buyers and sellers of music suffer. Quality buyers and sellers are leaving or have left. Their (eBay’s) solutions to issues are never logical, and it’s obvious that the folks managing the site have never bought or sold (or shipped) anything collectible in their lives. Did I mention categories yet? While The Record Ranch’s format is quite similar to eBay, the way the site is run is much different. Having people running the site who know their trade is obviously a good thing, especially when addressing buyers’ and sellers’ concerns.”

”The Record Ranch’s format is very similar to eBay, but finely tuned to the needs of music collectors. The pricing structure makes it a more affordable venue, especially for casual music sellers who can’t qualify for eBay’s Power Seller discounts. Basic listings are free. Enhancements such as subtitles and featured space on the home page can be purchased to spice up listings. Sellers also have the option to open a store free of charge. The final value fees are 4% for sold items up to 0, 3% for sold items between 0 and 0 and 2% for sold items over 0. Sellers may choose to accept payment via diverse methods, including Google Checkout, PayPal and checks/money orders.”

”The Record Ranch is made up of “rooms.” There’s a CD Room, a 78s Room and so on. Each room’s genre subcategories were created with the obsessive fan/collector in mind. For example, if you’re a collector of rockabilly 78s, there is a rockabilly subcategory in The 78s Room. This ensures collectors of a certain specific genre of music will find exactly what they’re looking for much more quickly.”

Where do you see vinyl in, let’s say, ten years from now?

”I think it’ll be the same in 10 years as it is now or where it was 10 years ago. Digital media will change and evolve and its proponents will proclaim the death of vinyl once more, only for vinyl to survive and flourish.”

When did you start collecting (I assume you are a collector) and do you have a special stash for personal use (meaning records you would never sell)?

”I guess I realized that I had the collector bug in me in high school when I was the guy who wasn’t OK with lending out records. I adopted the “I’ll be happy to tape it for you” mantra back then. As for a special stash, it goes in waves I guess. I’ve definitely parted with records and regretted it years later. I guess there are some records I’ve kept for years that aren’t exactly rare, but hold special meaning for me. I guess that would be my special stash.”

As a record collector, I am excited to find a new alternative in which to buy records for my collection. Creating a ‘mom and pop’ online venue is just what the record collecting community needs. Let’s hope that the corporate giants in the field welcome this newcomer, because I am sure many vinyl record buyers and sellers will.

Rap: Urban Music Going Suburban

Whether you perceive rap as a musical art form or fad you wish would just fade away, there’s no denying the impact it’s had on the American musical scene. With its explosive lyrics and supercharged rhythms, rap burst onto the musical radar in the late 1970′s and early 1980′s. As it grew, combining deejaying with emceeing and break dancing, rap evolved into an entirely new genre known as hip hop. However, at its heart, rap music was essentially the work of inner city youths addressing the troubles and concerns associated with urban life.

Rap can be traced back to West African singers/storytellers called the Griots. However, in the United Sates, the genre got its start in the Bronx, New York, when the exiting middle class immigrants and their businesses were replaced by poor black and Hispanic families. Accompanying these poor people were crime, drug addiction, and unemployment. It seemed like overnight street gangs appeared on every corner of the Bronx. At the same time, “Times were changing,” according to Henry A. Rhodes of the Yale New Haven Teachers Institute, “with the advent of the seventies people were getting into music and dancing and going to clubs.” The first person to bring rap to the clubs was Cool Herc, a Jamaican immigrant whose style of spinning records led to the development of break dancing. Other American DJ’s contributed to the rap scene. These included Theodor, who developed the technique known as “scratching,” which involved the DJ spinning a record backwards and forwards very fast while the needle was in the groove, and George Saddler, known as Grandmaster Flash, who was an expert at “punch phasing.” Another American deejay, Afrika Bambaataa, tried to replace gang rumbles and drugs with rap, dance, and the ‘Hip Hop’ style.

Today, says Rhodes: “Even though rap is proportionally more popular among blacks, its primary audience is white and lives in the suburbs.” He notes that the more rappers are packaged as violent black criminals, the bigger the white audiences become. “I do not think anyone can account for the popularity of rap to a white audience no more than one could account for the popularity of the black entertainment in the ‘speakeasies’ to the white audiences of the late 1920s and 1930s,” says Rhodes, “other than the attraction which exists for something that is taboo or forbidden by one’s social group.” According to Rhodes, Run-D.M.C. was the first black rap group to break through to a mass white audience with their albums, Run-D.M.C and King of Rock, both produced by a white, Jewish punk rocker named Rick Rubin. Some critics have argued that with the influence of whites on the rap music scene, it is only a matter of time before rap starts to lose its popularity in the black community goes out of style. Rhodes disagrees. “I believe that rap music can withstand the influence of other (ethnic/social) groups and still remain popular and flourish.” Some consider that a blessing, others a curse.

To read other articles on rap visit our blog.

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To view and listen to the Top Rap Songs see our site.

Ipod Can Now Handle Music and Videos

The new iPod is now lighter, slimmer and cooler looking, it has new features that surpass other mp3 players. The best new features of the video iPod concern the sound quality. The iPod video is small, compact and sleek, it is very easy to use, and it has tons of great features that are second to none and can only be found on iPods.

Taking portable video entertainment to a different level than it ever has been, it features a color screen and video playback capabilities. The new Apple video iPod is pushing the envelope with technology by combining mp3 music and video in one device.

Consumers embraced the new iPod, it allows consumers to keep all of their music and video in one place, the device is light weight and is portable so all the videos and music can go where ever you go. The iPod has a 5-inch color display that lets you take your music videos wherever you go. Unlike in the music versions, Apple did not include an option to rip movies to play on the Video iPod.

If your priority is storing music over video, get the iPod Video. Many automobiles have the normal AM/FM Stereo and CD player, but many automobile manufactures are including and jack so you can plug in your mp3 player. Most of the people who benefit from the iPod are those people who want to listen to music, watch movies or TV shows or who want to keep photos You can listen to all your music. You can do more than just listen to music. Many manufactures have created accessories so you are able to listen to your iPod in your car, these gadgets work very well and are worth the investment. Until just recently, you used to have to have an expensive CD player and a multitude of CDs with you in order to listen to whatever you want, whenever you want.

It is very exciting when you receive your new video iPod, you now have the ability to watch videos on a mobile video player. Once you download the movie or video you can simply transfer it to your iPod, however if you want to be able to watch the movie on your DVD player while at home then you might want to think about this. If you’re like many new Video iPod owners, you are excited about the idea of carrying your movie collection along with you wherever you go.

According to the informational websites, the number of video downloads have reached and might have passed the one million downloads since it was introduced. There are many companies that have created software that will convert to the iPod format, some even come with extra software so you can view the pictures or videos before the conversion process starts, this comes in handy if you want to view the information before putting it on your iPod. You can download, convert and transfer and you have the ability to watch all kinds of movies, home movies and TV shows.

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Using The New Ipod To Watch Videos And Listen To Music

The new iPod is now lighter, slimmer and cooler looking, it has new features that surpass other mp3 players. The best new features of the video iPod concern the sound quality. The iPod video is small, compact and sleek, it is very easy to use, and it has tons of great features that are second to none and can only be found on iPods.

Taking portable video entertainment to a different level than it ever has been, it features a color screen and video playback capabilities. The new Apple video iPod is pushing the envelope with technology by combining mp3 music and video in one device.

Consumers embraced the new iPod, it allows consumers to keep all of their music and video in one place, the device is light weight and is portable so all the videos and music can go where ever you go. The iPod has a 5-inch color display that lets you take your music videos wherever you go. Unlike in the music versions, Apple did not include an option to rip movies to play on the Video iPod.

If your priority is storing music over video, get the iPod Video. Many automobiles have the normal AM/FM Stereo and CD player, but many automobile manufactures are including and jack so you can plug in your mp3 player. Most of the people who benefit from the iPod are those people who want to listen to music, watch movies or TV shows or who want to keep photos You can listen to all your music. You can do more than just listen to music. Many manufactures have created accessories so you are able to listen to your iPod in your car, these gadgets work very well and are worth the investment. Until just recently, you used to have to have an expensive CD player and a multitude of CDs with you in order to listen to whatever you want, whenever you want.

It is very exciting when you receive your new video iPod, you now have the ability to watch videos on a mobile video player. Once you download the movie or video you can simply transfer it to your iPod, however if you want to be able to watch the movie on your DVD player while at home then you might want to think about this. If you’re like many new Video iPod owners, you are excited about the idea of carrying your movie collection along with you wherever you go.

According to the informational websites, the number of video downloads have reached and might have passed the one million downloads since it was introduced. There are many companies that have created software that will convert to the iPod format, some even come with extra software so you can view the pictures or videos before the conversion process starts, this comes in handy if you want to view the information before putting it on your iPod. You can download, convert and transfer and you have the ability to watch all kinds of movies, home movies and TV shows.

Music Download Services: Best Choices

Music downloads aren’t going anywhere, despite the negative sentiment recording artists have for the phenomena. Anyone with a PC or MP3 player understands the significance of downloading their favorite song, as opposed to purchasing an entire album from FYE.

Though tangible CDs are a must for die-hard fans, there’s nothing quite like picking and choosing which tracks make it on your iPod. Several music download services offer great perks for listeners:

• More than Music-The great thing about MP3 players is their versatility. Many multimedia players incorporate video, games, tv shows and podcasts into their service, compatible with a broad selection of files available through companies like iTunes.

• Membership-Not all music download services charge you $.99 per song. Services like MP3DownloadHQ and Napster charge you flat membership rates with unlimited downloads in that allotted timeframe.

• File sharing-iTunes and other music download services allow paying users to swap music files with friends. Keyword: legally.

• Fun Features-Everyone has a cell phone and Napster allows you to transfer music files to your mobile when subscribing to Napster-to-Go without having to pay per track.

There are plenty of choices in music download services, all boasting unique features and payment options. Of course, iTunes is ideal for anyone accustomed to individual file purchasing and a service such as MP3DownloadHQ is better for someone who downloads countless numbers of songs and videos. However, all are dedicated to cutting edge entertainment.

Proper Placement of Music for your Wedding Ceremony and Reception

by Kevin Kinyon

When planning a wedding ceremony, one of the most common questions wedding planners receive is, “How many songs do I need and where should they go?” The answer to that question varies simply because there is no wrong way to go. There are some guidelines to follow when placing music within a wedding ceremony. One sample program is included below.

Sample Wedding Ceremony Program

Prelude – For the prelude, you might select a pianist or perhaps a string quartet or flutist. The music played in the prelude is usually instrumental.

Processional – Whether you choose “Here Comes the Bride” or another accompaniment as you march down the aisle, your processional will announce your arrival. All in attendance will stand as you make your way toward the center point. The most common instrumentalists used for the processional are a pianist and organist. You could certainly opt for another instrument if you prefer. However, keep two things in mind. The instrument(s) need to be loud enough to hear. A flute would not be recommended. Also, if your wedding ceremony is indoors, be sure the instrument isn’t too loud, as it will make guests uncomfortable.

Poetry/Scripture Readings – If you choose to include this optional segment, you might consider having a soft instrumentalist playing in the background. A harpist, string quartet, organist or pianist would work well here. Most brides use the same instrumentalist who played during the prelude for the readings also.

Unity Candle/Soloist – A popular practice in a wedding ceremony is to light a unity candle. The bride’s parents and the groom’s parents each light separate candles. Then the bride takes one candle, the groom takes the other and they simultaneously light a new candle symbolizing the union of the two families.

Three scenarios have taken place during the unity candle lighting. Instrumentalists play softly in the background during the lighting or a soloist sings during the lighting. A third option is to have a gentle melody playing during the lighting and afterward have a soloist sing to the couple.

For those who choose not to light a unity candle, this section of the wedding ceremony is an excellent place for your soloist’s first song.

Vows – There are several places within the exchanging of vows where a soloist could sing a song. Before the vows, after the vows or before the rings are all practical and acceptable places for a soloist to sing.

Recessional – The part of the wedding ceremony you’ve been waiting for! Congratulations! You’re husband and wife. Of course, you’ll need music to leave by. The same principles apply to the recessional as did to the processional. All in attendance will stand as you make your way out of the gathering place. The most common instrumentalists used for the processional are a pianist and organist. If you choose another instrument, remember it needs to be loud enough to hear, but not loud enough to make guests uncomfortable.

Sample Wedding Reception Program

Your wedding reception will generally have some sort of entertainment. Typically, a wedding band or DJ will be used.

Arrival – Upon your arrival to the reception hall, the bandleader or DJ will announce you as man and wife.

Mingling – For the next few minutes, you and your groom will mix and mingle as you make your way to your reserved table. In order to alleviate feelings of awkwardness, music should be playing in the background.

Service of Food – At this point, if a formal meal is being served, it will generally take place now. If hors d’oeuvres are offered, guests and the bridal party will simply help themselves throughout the wedding reception. Throughout the meal, soft music should be playing.

First Dance – Obviously, you’ll want to select a special song for the band or DJ to play for your first dance. This is probably one of the most touching memories you’ll have of your wedding reception.

Best Man’s Toast – Just before the cutting of the cake, the best man will generally offer a toast to the couple. While no music is needed during the toast, your wedding band or DJ needs to be aware of the events, so they can stop and start the music as needed.

Cutting of the Cake – A fun and potentially dangerous portion of the wedding reception! Be gentle with one another. Don’t do anything you’ll regret later. As with the toast, no music is needed during this event.

Tossing of Bouquet – No music is played during the tossing of the bouquet or that of the garter.

Departure of Bride and Groom – As your friends and family gather to toss rose petals, rice or bird seed, or to blow bubbles, your special day will make way for a special life with your new mate.

Congratulations!

The Music Industry is Killing Itself

The music industry is killing itself with its constant feelings of having to manufacture the next big star. The people running these industries are looking only at their pocketbooks, and missing touch with the one thing that actually matters, the music.

People have completely forgotten the thought of doing something for ideal, rather than its marketability. Musicians get lost in dreams of the limelight, and lose complete focus of why they even began their journey in the first place.

The birth of digital music, on line streaming and downloading, all landed huge blows to the industry. Something they just were not prepared for, and a service that tore the whole entertainment industry apart at the seams.

Similar to the strikes in professional sports, Music stars started demanding more security, more compensation, and fighting their potential loss in profit, and the labels doing just the same. Legal ramifications became a mainstay, and the freedom that so much of our best music stood for, suddenly became lost.

Even some of the independent, outsourced labels are finding it difficult to adapt to these new circumstances standing between them, and the mainstream. Mainly because it is no longer a stream, but an ocean of music and artists associating with countless categories of taste and preference.

With the American public becoming bored with the manufactured success created by big record labels and Television Channels like VH1 and MTV, they are starting to find new places to turn. As well, musicians are finding new and innovative ways to distribute themselves to the masses with the medium created by the Internet.

If the Big 5 labels are going to survive, they will have to utilize new and freedom based ways of enticing artists to work with them, rather than treat them like indentured servants, at the disposal of some corporate suit. When a band can release their music world wide, while retaining rights, and making near 100% profit, it will be difficult to sway someone to the creative blocks created by labels and managers.

A new age of music is being born, as the dust settles from the turn of the century. All we can do, is wait and see who comes out on top of this musical drought we have been instilled in for almost a decade now. Your best bet is to start looking into the cracks of the Internet, and watching who has what it takes to be our savior in these times of darkness.

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Music City Hotels in Nashville

Nashville Tennessee is the home for country and live music. More of the finest artists and renowned musicians came from this famous city.

Nashville in Tennessee is the capital and the next heavily populated city in the U.S. The city is abundant with world-class hotels, bars and restaurants. It is home to country and live music band. Music travelers around the world converge in this great city for a relaxing and pleasurable stay.

Nashville is renowned for its historical landmarks in nearby downtown such as The West End Avenue and the Centennial Park, where you can find the full- sized replicas and sculptures of the Parthenon and ancient Greece goddess Athena, Tennessee State Capitol, the Ryman Auditorium, Bicentennial Mall, the First Center for Visual Arts and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

Music lovers will be overwhelmed with the many nightlife spots in the city. Who knows if they happen to meet some of the contemporary musicians and songwriters too?

Nashville offers wide array of accommodations, from luxurious and extravagant hotels up to inns and guesthouses, with stylish and fascinating tropical designs and landscapings that would surely be loved and appreciated by all types of travelers. One of the best big and famous music hotels in Nashville is the Sheraton Music City Hotel.

Sheraton Music City Hotel is located in the busy main road. It was built in 23 mountainous acres and designed to give a perfect ensemble of modern and classic era.

An excellent conventional hotel with four-story brick formation emphasized its respected occurrence; the huge and spacious lobby is prolific with inlaid marbles. Pilasters and pallid columns add charms into the front of the building and the interior decoration demonstrates the refinements that are rarely seen in other hotels.

The facilities of Sheraton Music City Hotels are prearranged. The hallways are well-lit and covered with fresh carpets and wall coverings. Guest rooms are well-decorated and accentuated with profound colored walls. Rooms are also furnished with oak sleigh beds with pillow-top mattresses, side chairs, working tables, closets, dual-line phones with voice mail, flat screen television, bath tub with complete set of bathrobes, toiletries and towel, magnifying mirrors, hair dryers and coffeemakers.

Sheraton Music City Hotel has its own stylish full-service restaurant, the Old Hickory Grill that serves contemporary Southern cuisine. It’s a great dining place with an ambience that is more in tune with Dixie Chicks. There’s also the Verandah, the hotel’s well-known bar that serves light delicacies as well Tennessee sour mash, coffee and other beverages.
Other hotel facilities and information includes:
• Number of floors: 4
• Total number of rooms: 410
• Check in time: 3:00 PM
• Check out time: 12:00 PM
• All major credit cards are accepted
• Reservations must be guaranteed with a credit card
• Deposit Policy: Guaranteed by check or credit card
• Cancellation Policy: 48 hours prior to arrival

Hotels amenities:
• Air Conditioning
• Balcony/Terrace
• Coffeemaker
• Daily Maid Service
• Iron/Ironing Board
• Mini-Bar (some)
• Complementary newspaper
• Rooms for Non-smokers
• Telephone
• Voicemail
• Refrigerator (some)
• Cable/Satellite Television
• Television
• DVD/VCR (some)

General Services:
• ATM/ Bank
• Babysitting/Child Care
• Barber/Hair Stylist
• Complimentary Transportation
• Concierge/Club Floor
• Concierge Services
• Crib/Rollaway Bed
• Currency Exchange
• Gift Shop
• Laundry/Dry Cleaning Service
• Multi-lingual Staff
• Free Onsite Parking
• Room Service
• Wheelchair Access to Common/ Public Areas

Restaurants On-Site
Dining: 1 Restaurant & 1 Bar On Site
• Old Hickory Grill (On- Site Restaurant) – Southern cuisine
• Cherrywood Coffee Shoppe (On- Site Coffee Shop) – Diner Style
• Verandah Lounge (On- Site Bar)