If you’re passing through Reagan Washington National Airport on Monday morning, February 27, 2012, around 10 a.m. then make your way to the historic lobby of Terminal A for a poetry slam.
The event is part of the airport’s Black History Month celebration and the local high school students competing will be judged by a panel that includes Nikki Giovanni, a well-known poet and a New York Times Bestsellers List author; Amy Young, poet laureate from Alexandria, Va.; and Vincent Young, published author, artist and Airports Authority employee.
Following the Poetry Slam, Nikki Giovanni will read selections from her works and answer questions from the audience. A real treat!
The newest exhibition at Miami International Airport is called Reinventing the Landscape and includes traditional and contemporary paintings of environments ranging from the Florida Everglades and Colombian botanical gardens to isolated habitats in the southeastern United States.
Look for work by Elisabeth Condon, Nancy Friedemann, Mark Messersmith, G. Mirta Paula, Paul Sierra and Elizabeth Thompson in MIA’s Central Terminal Gallery, Concourse E, just past the security checkpoint.
And thanks to Greg Mamary from the American Association of Airport Executives, who was kind enough to snap and send along this photo of the marching band he encountered recently at Reagan Washington National Airport during an employee pep rally/customer service initiative kick-off.
“They had a high school marching band that played, danced and sang through the entire length of the ‘new’ terminal. It was great to see passengers’ reactions.”
The number of people buying plane tickets may be down, but that’s not stopping the nation’s airports from getting all gussied up in their holiday best. And while everyone’s budget is tighter than usual, travelers will still find plenty of airports hosting contests, carolers, karaoke and opportunities for a last-minute heart-to-heart with Kris Kringle. In my most recent “At the Airport” column on USATODAY.com, I offered a round-up of what’s in store.
Petting zoos, popcorn, and performances
This Saturday, December 12th, 2009, the Indianapolis International Airport (IND) will host Pups, Popcorn & Perfect Pitch in the pre-security Civic Plaza. There will be free treats from Just Pop In! and two “petting” zoos: one with instruments from the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra (ISO) and another with adoptable animals from the Humane Society of Indianapolis. On December 14th at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport(PHX), listen forthe US Airways Chorus. And on December 16h, look for JJ Jones, the Human Snow Globe, at Nashville International Airport (BNA): he’ll be the one inside a giant inflatable bubble singing wacky Christmas songs.
On December 21st, the Judy Lee Dancers (dancers are all 60 years old and up) will perform at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), And on December 23rd, a choir made up of local Austin-based TSA employees will present a medley of traditional Christmas carols.
Contests and Coupon Books
Like many other airports, there’s a full scheduleof holiday entertainment at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP), where you can also pick up a coupon book filled with 80 coupons that can be used at MSP’s stores and restaurants. The booklets are available at information booths throughout the airport and on-line at ShopsatMSP.com.
Throughout December, you’ll also be able to find coupon booklets at Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and in the Central Terminal Building at New York’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA), where The Food & Shops at LGA will also be raffling off one pair of diamond earrings from Taxco Sterling (value $2,000.)
As in past years, many retail shops and volunteer organizations will be offering free, post-security gift wrapping stations at various airports. Look closely at the paper being used at the San Diego International Airport (SAN) December 18th through December 23rd: the artwork is by students in The New Children’s Museum’s After School Program.
Concourse Karaoke
Karaoke was big at George Bush International Airport (IAH) last year and it’s back again this year on Saturday, December 19th. Karaoke is also on the schedule at Detroit Metro Airport (DTW). Their karaoke fundraiser takes place in the McNamara/Delta Terminal from Sunday Dec. 20th through Wednesday, Dec. 23rd. Anyone (or any group) stepping up to the microphone will be asked to make a $5 donation to a fund that will be split between two local charities. Participants will have their names entered in a drawing for a gift basket filled with items from Delta Airlines and airport vendors.
Many airports are already all gussied up for the holidays, and over the next few days loads more will join in.
Students from the District of Columbia, Virginia and Maryland will celebrate the annual tree-trimming celebration at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Washington Dulles International Airport by decorating trees with “Winter Wonderland-themed ornaments they created.Students will be decorating the trees at Dulles on Wednesday, Dec 2 from 10:30 to 11:30 am and at Reagan Washington National on Thursday, Dec. 3 from 10:30 until 11:30 am.
And on Friday, Dec. 4, 2009, between 7 and 9 am, there’ll be live classical piano music by Claudia Sanchez on the ticketing level of Pittsburgh International Airport.
Later that morning, between 10 and 11 a.m., the Aliquippa High School Chorus will sing for passengers while students decorate the holiday trees.
