2025 South Carolina Chef Ambassadors: (L to R) Darren Smith, Shaui Wang and Jeanne Koenigsberg
DISCOVER SOUTH CAROLINA
SOUTH CAROLINA
2025 Chef Ambassadors Named
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster has unveiled the trio of culinary talents slated to represent South Carolina as the 2025 Chef Ambassadors: Jeanne Koenigsberg of Greenville, Darren Smith of Conway and Shuai Wang of North Charleston. This prestigious program, in its 11th year, is a meld of the state's robust tourism and agriculture industries. Chef Ambassadors use certified South Carolina produce and other local ingredients to showcase the state's food traditions and agricultural heritage globally at various events. McMaster underscored the importance of food in South Carolina's economy and culture while heralding the program's role in spotlighting world-class culinary talent.
The courtyard of The Setai, Miami Beach, Florida
THE SETAI, MIAMI BEACH
FLORIDA
Picturesque Hotel in Miami Awarded AAA Five Diamond Rating
The AAA Diamond Program has bestowed the prestigious Five Diamond accolade on The Setai, Miami Beach. Nestled in the vibrant Art Deco area, this boutique hotel serves up splendid luxury with spacious units and stunning views. The oceanfront suites offer full kitchens and balconies, and guests benefit from a complimentary airport shuttle. On-site features include three temperature-controlled pools, a full-service spa and a health club with personal trainer availability. Dining captures the area's waterfront vibe, highlighted by an Italian-Mediterranean menu at the beachfront Ocean Grill restaurant. Two other venues inside the hotel satisfy palates seeking Asian fare: Japon and Jaya. From its culinary offerings to its rooms, The Setai takes its inspiration from vibrant South Beach and blends it with Asian minimalism, making it easy for guests to bask in serenity throughout their stay.
Jazz musicians will perform across the Denver Metro area this April.
ADOBE STOCK
COLORADO
New Jazz Festival Coming to Denver
Denver Jazz Fest's maiden event, set for April 3-6, 2025, will hear horns blowing and singing voices carrying from a variety of stages--mostly in Denver, but also the Boulder Theater and Fox Theatre in Boulder and The Muse in Lafayette. The festival coincides with Jazz Appreciation Month, which celebrates jazz as a wholly American original. The entertainment lineup features a mix of local and national artists, promising four days of original music and improvisation—exactly what jazz calls for.
Exterior of Quality Inn in Franklin, Tennessee
CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL
Quality Inn Celebrates 85 Years of Exceptional Value and Service
Quality Inn, the flagship brand of Choice Hotels International, is celebrating 85 years of providing exceptional service and value. With over 1,800 hotels globally and 44 openings this year, Quality Inn is a leader in the expanding midscale hotel sector. A testament to its enduring legacy, one in four midscale properties in the United States belongs to Quality Inn. As part of its milestone, the brand continues to implement innovative solutions to meet the needs of today's travelers. Choice's design initiatives and superior service have led to increased guest satisfaction and recognition in Newsweek’s “Best of the Best” list.
Make your next vacation the best one yet by staying at a Choice Hotel. Click here for reservations.
Jonathan Thunder’s, Night Whistler's Mother, is included in “Once Upon a Shore.”
Art by jonathan thunder
COURTESY OF minnesota marine art museum
MINNESOTA
Art Museum Unveils New Exhibits
Built across 7 acres on the banks of the Mississippi River in Winona, Minnesota, the Minnesota Marine Art Museum (MMAM) rings in the year with three riveting exhibitions. The museum's 2025 theme, Rising Tides, will guide MMAM's programming and exhibitions with the intention of highlighting the relationship between art, water, nature and resilience.
The newest exhibitions are “Edward Burtynsky: Water,” “Shelly Mosman: Currents” and “Once Upon a Shore,” curated by Heidi E. Erdrich. Stunning, large-scale photographs depict human control over water in Burtynsky's exhibit, while Mosman’s “Currents,” portrays narrative-driven portraits infused with water elements. “Once Upon a Shore” brings alive water-related stories from multiple indigenous artists who have strong relationships to bodies of water.
Click to read: Local Events
