Plaid Tidings to You

Yes, it's over a month away, but still not too early to add the Scottish Festival to your calendar. From February 18 to 20, wooly goodness, from tartans to sheepherding, will be on view at the Queen Mary. There'll be bagpipes and Highland dancing and traditional food and (ahem) drink as well as competions and kid-friendly activities.

Go Green Cars Go!

After cheering on the valiant marathon runners, I just found out there's another race to cheer for in a couple of weeks. The Go Green Auto Rally will begin its inaugural run at the Queen Mary on November 6. Fourteen other events are planned for 2011. Contestants will drive to Malibu, competing to see who has the most eco-friendly driving techniques. The winner will be awarded a sub-compact car.

Cal Rep gets on board with activist drama

California Repertory Company will open Waiting for Lefty at the Royal Theatre aboard the Queen Mary on September 24 at 8 pm. Based on a workers' strike in 1934, the play resonates with the frustration and uncertainty of the country's current financial upheaval. The play runs through October 18, and general admission costs $20.

Art Deco at the Queen

Labor Day seems an odd match-up for a big Art Deco shindig, but that's an easy way to remember the dates for the Queen Mary Art Deco Festival -- September 3-5. A day-pass costs $200, but you can view the Art Deco Bazaar, attend lectures and view the vintage car show and Art Deco showcase for the price of a day pass, $24.95.

All Aboard for Music

On September 1, the Queen Mary will host 3 free concerts by concert pianist Philip Fortenberry in the Starboard Lounge. Fortenberry has worked on Broadway as a musician and conductor and will perform for three half-hour concerts at 4, 8:30 and 9:30 pm. Reservations are required and can be made at info@kmpartists.com or 773-294-9816.

Intimate Evenings with Music Greats At the Queen Mary

A new series of small venue (3,000 seats) concerts has just been announced for the Queen Mary Events Park. So far, four artists have been confirmed. Joan Baez will perform on August 13, Smokey Robinson on August 18, the Beach Boys on August 19, and Lucinda Williams on August 26. Reserved seating will cost $65 and general admission, $35.

Bringing Olympus to the Queen Mary

A fascinating assortment of artists, activists, and organizers are gathering at the Queen Mary this weekend at the kick-off festivities for a group called World Arts Olympus, which proposes to conduct a voyage of global cultural understanding through the arts. A boat with artists and performers will sail to cities around the world and create festivals promoting self expression and cooperation through music, dance, film, poetry, and graphic arts. This weekend, there will be many films screened as well as improvisational dancers, musicians representing many ethnic backgrounds, and open poetry mike performances. Tickets to the gala awards dinner cost $125, but it is unclear how much is charged for other events.

Red, White, and Queen

There's something ironic about celebrating America's independence from England on board one of Great Britain's proudest achievements, the good ship HMS Queen Mary. There'll be bands and lots of food for purchase and a fantastic fireworks display set to music on Saturday and Sunday nights. Tickets cost $24.95.

Shimmy, shimmy, shake

Middle Eastern Culture and Dance Association is holding its annual meeting tomorrow at the Queen Mary. You guessed it--a belly dancing convention. It's called Cairo Sunset and will bring together talent from all over the country on one stage. Tickets are $25 at the door, if they haven't sold out by then. I've heard rumors about a bra decorating contest and a shimmy thon, but you might have to be a member for those tantalizing events

Have a fling on the Queen Mary (Scottish, that is)

The Scots are coming! The Scots are coming -- for the sixth annual Queen Mary Scottish Festival next Saturday and Sunday, February 13 and February 14. There'll be pipes and drumming, dancing and the Plaidpaloosa among the events and a vendors and ethnic organizations a plenty. Hours runs from 9 am to 9 pm and tickets cost $20 for one day or $26 for both.

Cal Rep moves to the Queen Mary

Here's an interesting new use for the venerable old Queen Mary. Cal Rep will present its 2009-2010 season in the ship's Royal Theatre. The setting is well suited for the first play on the roster. Festen, based on a Danish film, follows the twisted motives and actions of a wealthy family as they gather at their ancestral home. The polished brass and teak and Art Deco curlicues will set the right privileged tone.

Queen for a Day!

Spent a lovely day aboard the Aqualink AND the Queen Mary yesterday. The price to ride the Aqualink is now $5 one way, but I had two 2-for-1 coupons for me and my son. My other son brought his bike on board and then rode home from downtown. Three other people had bikes too. Sounds like a good premise for a travel article. A thoroughly eco weekend. A thoroughly modern beachfront. Look mom no sand! Hmm, needs some tweaking.

I got half price tickets from Goldstar for the Ghosts and Legends tour. The entrance for the tour is different from the general entrance, which made for a lot of wasted time wandering around. Once we did get to the tour entrance, we waited on the gang plank with about 15 people for about 5 minutes. Our tour guide was great with just the perfect amount of knowingness as he delivered the sometimes over-the-top references to ghosts and gore and grizzliness. It was fun going to places that are usually off limits like the swimming pool and the hull at the bow of the ship, but it was too dark to really get a feel of what the locations looked like and the piped-in screams and moans and gurgles were way too loud.

We strolled around the deck a little while and had some coffee with a great view of the Long Beach skyline and the undivided attention of a gaggle of pigeons. We didn't pick up the earphones for the audio tour just walked around and read placards here and there. We walked over to the Queen Mary Gateway and all the the shops are empty. I would have thought they could fill that place to cater to the cruise ship passengers. Maybe they should start a new ghost tour in that little prefab ghost town.

On the cruise back to Alamitos Bay, we noticed a lot of wildlife-- pelicans, seagulls, and even some seals sunning themselves on the buoys. I tried to get a picture, but I was so excited I didn't wait for the camera to focus. Something in the effort to clean up the harbor area is working.

Queen Mary Gets Gridlocked this 4th of July!

Gridlock L.A., the group that created the New Year's Eve extravaganza at Paramount Studios, has now concocted Southern California's largest July 4th celebration on the Queen Mary with over 14 bands and a 4-level VIP area with a daybed (say what?) and a huge pool. Ahh, to be young again or at least rich enough to afford a ticket. Let's hope they take pity on us peons and shoot off the fireworks so we can glimpse at least a few of the fireworks.

All Aboard! The Queen's for Free!

Now through March 15, all California residents can tour the Queen Mary for free. Bring some proof of residence and you can stroll along the teak decks and view historic displays like the bridge, the sick bay and lifeboats. There is a charge for parking so consider biking or taking the bus.