Please come and enjoy Friends of the Arts Valentine’s Day presentation featuring the music of Aida, the talented performances of the cast, and a special Valentine’s Day Dinner.

Salad
Prosciutto Melon Salad
Crisp Prosciutto and assorted melon, mixed fresh garden greens salad,
drizzled with rakkyo- red wine vinaigrette

Soup
Roasted Beetroots Soup
Garnished with soft goat’s cheese, spring onions, apple sticks and roasted walnut

Hot Appetizer
Crab Cake Parmesan
Grilled lump crab meat patties with cucumber, tomato and Champagne Buerre Blanc

Entremets
Berry and Berries Balsamic Sorbet
Homemade Strawberry-Raspberry sorbet with balsamic reduction

Entrees
Lobster Crowned Filet Mignon
Half lobster tail sautéed with herbed garlic butter, carefully placed atop of tender filet mignon,
served with mushroom-Pinot Noir, Thai basil green olives;
noisette potato and crumbled blue cheese

Dessert
Sweet Valentine’s Dessert
Chocolate Cassata, Mudslide Pot De Crème,
Fresh Strawberries over champagne sabayon

Drinks
A glass of wine (red or white) or Iced Tea
Coffee or Tea
Served with sweet mini Valentine cookies

Other beverages maybe ordered separately

The Friends of the Arts will be presenting Elton John and Tim Rice’s Broadway musical, Aida, as its special Valentine’s Day program on February 14 with follow-up performances on February 18 and 19.

 All performances will take place at PIC’s Charley’s.

This program is Friends of the Arts’ premier performance of the year to give members of the community an opportunity on this special romantic day to treat their Special Person to an exquisite and delicious six-course plated meal AND an evening of enchanting music and theater with a timeless love story, Aida. Dinner will be served upon your arrival beginning at 6:00 pm, with the play to begin at 7:30. The cost for this evening of fine food and entertainment will be $50 per person for FOA members and $65 per person for non-members. Tables can be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis, as they remain available, by calling Mr. Frank Gibson at 287-7476 or e-mailing at flgibson@yahoo.com.  Reservations are required and must be considered as a commitment.

Performances without the meal, but with all of the fine music and acting, will follow on February 18 and 19 with the play beginning at 7 pm.  Admission for these programs will be $12 for FOA adult members, $15 for non-members and $8 for students.

This is surely going to be another enjoyable production by Friends of the Arts, so don’t miss the opportunity!

About the Play

Elton John and Tim Rice’s AIDA is a contemporary musical take on a grand classic tale of the timeless bond between an enslaved Nubian princess and an Egyptian soldier. As forbidden love blossoms between them, the young lovers are forced to face death or part forever. Together, they set a shining example of true devotion that ultimately transcends the vast cultural differences between their warring nations, heralding a time of unprecedented peace and prosperity
Aida premiered on Broadway <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broadway_theatre>  on March 23, 2000, running for 1,852 performances until September 5, 2004 (34th longest running Broadway musical). The musical also ran from 2001–2003 and from 2006-2007 during two US national tours, and also ran in international productions which performed in 20 different countries, and is still performed in international productions, regional theatres, colleges and high schools.
Aida was nominated for five Tony Awards <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Awards>  and won four Tony Awards in 2000, including Best Musical Score and Best Performance by a Leading Actress. Aida was also named by Time Magazine <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_Magazine>  in 2000 as one of the top ten theatre productions of the year. The First National tour was nominated for nine National Broadway Theatre awards (now “Touring Broadway Awards”) and won five awards, including Best Musical, Best Direction, Best Actor, and Best Actress.

Don’t miss a chance to see Chris Boomer’s Tribute to Bob Marley LIVE in CONCERT at PIC this Friday and Saturday at PIC. Tickets are $15 each and available at PIC’s Front Desk. The Concert starts at 7:30pm. For more information, please call 237-5172.

Kid’s Club is open daily to all in-house guests, Explorer Annual Members and Day Guests for kids ages 4-11 years. For more information, please call 237-5174 for more information.

PIC Saipan welcomes the Lunar New Year today.  There are lots of great activities that our guests enjoy year-round from the Point Break Wave Machine to Tennis to Kayaking and Kids’ Club. There’s enough fun for everyone so come visit PIC today! For more information, please call 234-7976.

Here at PIC Saipan, the majority of our guests are Korean and celebrate the Lunar New Year (also commonly referred to as the Chinese New Year). The Chinese are not the only people who celebrate as the Koreans, Vietnamese mark the Lunar New Year as one of their main holidays.  PIC’s Korean guests will enjoy their stay with specially made New Year’s cuisine as well as activities on Monday, 23 January 2012.  In the morning, guests can join the Dragon Boat River Relay in the Lazy River at 10:00, Yutnori on the Sports Field at 11:00 while in the afternoon, the Dragon Egg Toss at 15:00, Jaegichagi at 16:00 and Spicy Noodle Eating Contest at 17:00 on the Sports Field will keep guests busy and entertained.  Happy Lunar New Year to all!

2012 Chinese New Year… copied from http://www.chinesefortunecalendar.com/2012.htm

The first day of the 2012 Chinese New Year is on January 23, 2012 in China’s time zone. This day is a new moon day, and is the first day of the first Chinese lunar month in the Chinese Lunar Calendar system. The exact new moon time is at 15:40 on 23-Jan-12 in China’s time zone.

The Year 2012 is the 4709th Chinese year. The Chinese believe that the first king of China was the Yellow King (he was not the first emperor of China). The Yellow King became king in 2697 B.C., therefore China will enter the 4709th year on January 23, 2012. Also, the Chinese Year uses the cycle of 60 Stem-Branch counting systems and the Black Water Dragon is the 28th Stem-Branch in the cycle. Since (60 *78) + 29 = 4709, therefore 2012 is the Water Dragon year, which is the 4709th Chinese Year.

Some web sites say the year 2012 is the 4710th Chinese year. If you cannot find the explanation as to why, here is a possible answer for you. The Yellow King’s inauguration was held in the spring of 2697 B.C. But the day that was used as the first day of the year was the winter solstice, which was around December 23rd, 2698 B.C. Today’s January 1st meant nothing to the Yellow King. If we count that extra eight days in 2698 B.C., then year 2012 is the 4710th Chinese year.

2012 is the year of Dragon. Some people say 2012 is a Black Dragon or Water Dragon year. This is because the Stem-Branch Calendar is connected to the Five Element theory. Chinese calendars used the Stem-Branch system to count the days, months and years. There are 10 Stems and 12 Branches in this system. Stems are named by the Yin-Yang and Five Elements (Metal, Water, Wood, Fire and Earth). The Stem sequence order is Yang Wood, Yin Wood, Yang Fire, Yin Fire, Yang Earth, Yin Earth, Yang Metal, Yin Metal, Yang Water and Yin Water. Branches use animal names.

The Branch sequence order is Rat, Cow, Tiger, Dragon, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Chicken, Dog and Pig. Stem and Branch are used together to form a cycle of 60 counting systems which begin with Wooden Rat and end with Water Pig. You can see the entire sequence from the Chinese New Year’s page. From 1924 to 1983 is a complete cycle. Year 2012 is Male Water Dragon   the 29th of the Stem-Branch in the system. Because Water is connected to Blackin the Five-Element system, Year 2012 is also called the Black Dragonyear.

Dragon has Nine Sons

The nine dragon have different themes, and they all have different versions too. We skip their names because all of their names are hard to remember. One version is:

The 1st son loves music. The head of Number 1 son becomes a decoration for music instrument, such as two-stringed bowed violin (huqin). The 2nd son loves fighting. Many different handles of weapons have the symbol of Number 2 son. The 3rd son loves adventure and keeping guard. He has prestige and is the symbol of safety, harmony and peace. The 4th son loves howling. The image of Number 4 son can be found on the big bells. It is a symbol of protection and alertness. The 5th son loves quietness, sitting, fire and smoke. His image is often found in temples, such as on incense burners. The 6th son has the power of strength. He loves to carry heavy stuff to show off his magic energy. He is a symbol of longevity and good luck. The 7th son loves to seek justice. Chinese like to apply his symbol around law, court, or jail. The 8th son loves literature. Chinese like to put the 8th son as a symbol around steles. When used in this way, it is a symbol of knowledge or education. The 9th son loves water. He is a symbol to prevent fire disasters.

PIC’s Seaside Grill, located beachfront is one of Saipan’s best restaurants for nightly Happy Hour from 17:00-19:00 and Pacific Rim fare dinner from 18:00-21:00.  Call 237-5170 for reservations today.

 PIC is knee deep in preparations for two superb events, the Russian Christmas Party on January 7^th and the Russian New Year’s Eve party on January 13th. PIC will honor Russian visitors on the island twice within the next few days with these very special parties featuring famous celebrities, a showman and a DJ from Vladivostok. PIC expects over 200 guests for the first party tonight!

Last year, the New Year’s theme was “Voyage to the Underwater World”. The scriptwriter and producer of the show was Mr. Konstantin Pospelov, one of the most famous and beloved performers in the Russian Far East. After the incredible success of the event among Russian guests, PIC invited Mr. Pospelov for a return performance in Saipan, this time for both holiday events.

Mr. Pospelov is a lawyer by education and profession, and prior to becoming a full time performer, he worked as a warrant officer and a police officer. However, since his teens, his passion has been music and theater. He finished music school and performed at a theatrical studio as an MC, assistant-producer and a scriptwriter. For the last 14 years, Pospelov developed his passion as a performer into a one-man-show, scriptwriter and a producer of special events. His portfolio includes performances at hundreds of successful private and official parties, corporate events, major city events, beauty pageants, sports competitions and others. Pospelov even received 1^st place honors at various Russian National Festivals for Singers and Songwriters, and at theater competitions. He has performed across the Russian Far East, in Thailand and Italy.

At PIC’s Christmas party, Pospelov will entertain the Russian visitors with songs, games with prizes, quizzes and raffles in a tradition fit for the holiday at The Magellan restaurant. The hotel has prepared a conventional festive menu and door prizes. The Russian relative of Santa Claus, Ded Moroz, and his granddaughter Snegurochka will greet the kids at the entrance with a gift – Saipanda backpacks, donated for the occasion by MVA.  Pospelov worked on a script designed specially for PIC.  He will even dress PIC’s wait staff with costumes – Russian traditional shirts, to ensure that they suit the party’s folk theme.

It is now customary at PIC to organize a unique theme party for the Russian New Year’s Eve. In previous years, Russian guests celebrated in ‘70s and ‘80s styles as well as experience a depiction of life in an Ancient Chamorro Village. Last year, Pospelov led guests into an amusing voyage to the underwater world with various ocean-themed games and entertainment. This year, Pospelov and PIC chose a new and unique theme “Back to the Future”, borrowed from the famous movie with the same title. PIC’s beachfront will be decorated futuristically with a time machine, UFO crash site and other themed props. The PIC’s wait staff will feature “men in black” and secret laboratory assistants. Some aliens will be seen at the site, too. Mr. Pospelov’s script for the evening includes games and entertainment inspired by his vision incorporating the future theme and popular sci-fi movies.

Pospelov also works in tandem with his sound producer, Mr. Vitaliy Rogozin, a popular DJ, who will spin his hits at the Russian New Year Eve’s Party. Rogozin is another celebrity in Russia but not as a sound producer. He is the Conductor of the Vladivostok Military Symphony Orchestra and a great trumpet player. Rogozin will not only mix the party music to warm up the guests and keep the mood swinging, but he will also play his trumpet to well known Russian and international Christmas and New Year songs.

PIC has prepared dozens of giveaways for the games which Pospelov will conduct.  During the breaks, the hotel will hold its infamous raffle. PIC is thankful to all the local businesses supporting the Russian event with donations: DFS, King’s Jewelry, Hertz,  Microl Toyota, Restaurant 360, Hyatt Regency Saipan, Tony Roma’s & Capricciosa’s, Truong’s, Islander, Gold’s Gym and MVA. Lucky guests will enjoy optional tours at SandCastle, Stars and Stripes, Saipan Sunset Cruise, Saipan Sea Venture, submarine, go-carting, sightseeing tours with Belka Tours as well as massages at Mandi Spa. Some of the guests will leave the party with gifts from Joeten Shopping Center, LA TAX, Tasi Tours, Lollipops, Made in Saipan, Marianas Coffee and PIC Saipan and Guam.

Lastly as an altruistic component, PIC will continue selling raffle tickets to raise money for orphans at the Children’s Hospital # 3 in Vladivostok as part of the hotel’s charity project “Sharing Seeds”. The hotel began helping the orphans in 2009 by installing new windows and doors, building a partition, purchasing diapers, baby food and other necessities.