Vijay Iyer back in New York, after a string of successes

Vijay Iyer, composer in Downbeat magazine's international critics' poll for 2006 and 2007, returned to New York on June 19, trailing a string of national and international successes

He has had a busy year so far, his last appearance in New York being the concert with sitarist Shujaat Khan, percussionist Karsh Kale and electric bassist Jonathan Moran at the Lincoln Center Opening Nights festival March 7.

The June 19 concert was at V Harlem's newest spot, Medium M, with Marcus Gilmore and Stephan Crump.

The trio toured Europe in February, played numerous U.S venues in the winter and spring and recorded a new album titled "Historicity."

To read the full article, click here..
To read the ePaper, visit: http://www.desitalk.com

Nepal says off-season climbs rise after fee cut

The number of climbing expeditions to Himalayan mountains, including Mount Everest, has risen since Nepal reduced off season climbing fees three months ago, officials said on October 29.

Nepal is home to hundreds of mountains of which 326 peaks including the 8,850 meter (29,035 feet) Mount Everest are open to foreign climbers throughout the year.

While hundreds of climbers pay anything between $500 and $25,000 to ascend some of the lofty peaks during the popular March May climbing season, many mountains don't see a single climber during the rest of the year.

Nepal announced a 50 percent cut in the climbing fees in August for the three-month autumn season starting in September as incentive to off-season climbers and boost tourism, hit by years of Maoist civil war and political unrest.

To read the full article, click here..
To read the ePaper, visit: http://www.desitalk.com

Air India extends summer sale, introduces winter fares

Air India announced on June 23 that due to the popularity of it's ‘One Price India' summer and fall sale fares, it is extending the booking deadline for these fares, which are available from July through October 2008, until July 15.

The carrier has also announced new winter season sale fares at similar savings for travel from November 2008 through March 2009.

The deadline for purchasing winter sale fare tickets is also July 15.

These special economy class fares are available from New York's JFK International Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport to Mumbai, Delhi, as well as to the over 40 other cities in India served by the carrier.

Based on date of departure, all fares are set as follows: $727 roundtrip: Departure Jul. 14 - Jul. 31; $622 roundtrip: Departure Aug. 1 - Aug. 18, Departure Sept. 19 - Oct. 31; $572 roundtrip: Departure Aug. 19 - Sept. 18; $704 roundtrip: Departure Nov. 1 - Nov. 30, 2008, Departures Dec. 24, 2008 - Jan. 15, 2009; $912 roundtrip: Departure Dec. 1 - Dec. 12, 2008; $1,068 roundtrip: Departure Dec. 13 - Dec. 23, 2008; $549 roundtrip: Departure Jan. 16 - Mar. 31, 2009.

All ‘One Price India' sale fares apply to any of Air India's direct and non-stop flights to India departing New York Sunday through Thursday, and returning Monday through Friday.

Weekend departures are also available for an additional $50, based on a round trip purchase.

They include flights on Friday and Saturday to India, and Saturday and Sunday from India.

The minimum stay is the first Sunday after arrival, and the maximum stay is up to six months.

Fare conditions are that sale fare tickets must be purchased by July 15.

Travel must be on Air India operated flights from New York City, including ‘Indian Airlines' designated flights within India.

To read the full article, click here..
To read the ePaper, visit: http://www.desitalk.com