SWEET MUSIC

The weather may be hot, but the music’s cool, way cool. Here are five of the world’s best summer jazz festivals, all set in beautiful locations. — LISA ROGAK

■ Monterey, California, September 17 to 19: The MONTEREY JAZZ FESTIVAL, pictured here, is one of the longest-running jazz gatherings. 2010 marks its 53rd year. montereyjazzfestival.org

■ Burlington, Vermont, June 4 to 13: Often overshadowed by the Montreal Jazz Festival held later in the month, the DISCOVER JAZZ FESTIVAL is a small, undiscovered gem that attracts its share of high-caliber acts. discoverjazz.com

■ Edinburgh, Scotland, July 30 to August 8: Hot music meets moody medieval city at the EDINBURGH JAZZ & BLUES FESTIVAL. Don’t miss the performances by the Edinburgh Festival Jazz Orchestra. www.edinburghjazzfestival.co.uk

■ Molde, Norway, July 19 to 24: To celebrate his 80th birthday, saxophonist Sonny Rollins debuts at the MOLDE INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL this year. moldejazz.no

■ Paris, France, August 31 to September 12: It doesn’t get much better than this: spending a late-summer day in Paris listening to classic and avant-garde performances at JAZZ À LA VILLETTE. jazzalavillette.com

Sustainable Scoops

AS AMERICA GETS MORE SAVVY ABOUT ITS FOOD SOURCES, MICRO CREAMERIES ARE EMERGING — AND FARMERS ARE PUTTING SOME VERY HEALTHY COWS AND GOATS TO WORK IN THE NAME OF ARTISANAL ICE CREAM. COOL OFF THIS SUMMER WITH A SCOOP (OR TWO, OR THREE!) OF THE COUNTRY’S BEST. AND GUESS WHAT? THEY SHIP. — NICOLE ALPER

• Cool off with a Riesling Poached Pear sorbet or Wildberry Lavender ice cream at JENI’S SPLENDID ICE CREAMS (shown in the top four photos) in Columbus, Ohio. Want to really indulge? Try the Salty Caramel. jenisicecreams.com

• Got goat’s milk? LALOOS (three photos at right) does. Based in California, Laloos creates amazing organic concoctions such as Black Bission Fig, Rumplemint, and Deep Chocolate (made with Scharffen Berger chocolate). laloos.com

• For a taste of Bananas Foster or Mango Chili, TOSCANINI’S in Cambridge, Massachusetts, hits the spot. tosci.com

• The doctor’s prescription? If you’re at DR. BOB’S HANDCRAFTED ICECREAMS in Pomona, California, it’s dreamy Tahitian Vanilla or Strawberries, Sour Cream, & Brown Sugar. drbobsicecream.com

• Hit BABCOCK HALL DAIRY STORE in Madison, Wisconsin, for a taste of ice cream made by the University of Wisconsin dairy department, in flavors such as Maple Cashew. foodsci.wisc.edu

• Cut the fat and indulge in frozen yogurt instead. The country is seeing an upscale frozen yogurt revolution with the likes of PINKBERRY, RED MANGO, and YOGEN FRÜZ popping up across the land. pinkberry.com, redmangousa.com, yogenfruz.com

About Face

FOR HIM: The backstory behind KYOKU, a new line of skin care for men, is almost as intriguing as the products themselves. On a 2005 trip to Japan, Dr. Asim Akhtar, an American scientist who grew up in his family’s beauty business, was introduced to the town of Yuzuri Hara, which literally means “the village of long life,“ and found that a surprising number of residents were more than 80 years old, yet their skin showed none of the usual signs of aging. Studies concluded what Akhtar suspected: The villagers’ strict diet and cleansing regime, which included daily use of volcanic ash, bamboo, and pea extract, among other plants and minerals, greatly contributed to their good health and appearance. Now he’s created the Kyoku skincare line, incorporating many of those same basic healthy ingredients. $12.50 to $49, kyokuformen.com

FOR HER: Beyond being a savory appetizer of choice for the well heeled, caviar is loaded with proteins, minerals, vitamins, and phospholipids known to hydrate, nourish, and firm the skin while simultaneously slowing down the effects of aging. Now the luxury Swiss beauty firm LA PRAIRIE, a pioneer in cellular anti-aging skin therapy, has put the regenerating power of caviar extract into its White Caviar Illuminating Système. The three-part regime employs biotechnology to produce brighter skin, prevent future age spots, and arrest pigmentation patches. $250 to $450 per bottle. laprairie.com
— William Kissel

Back Yardage

Except for the occasional serape or poncho that travelers bring home as souvenirs of their trips to Mexico, the vivid colors and archetypal rib weaves of South American textiles rarely find their way north of the border. Now, just in time for summer, textile designer and manufacturer SINA PEARSON puts these kaleidoscopic designs to good use as part of her new Colores de Mexico line of luxurious outdoor fabrics. Woven from 100 percent eco-friendly Sunbrella fabric that is sunfast and chlorine- and mildew-resistant, the collection of colorful fl orals, solids, and broken stripes pulsates in electrifying color combinations of flamingo pink, habanero-pepper orange, and lime green, among other tropical hues. “I’m a big proponent of making your yard an outdoor room,” says Pearson, whose designs are inspired by such faraway destinations as Scandinavia, India, Africa, and the French Côte d’Azur and can be found at many of the world’s top resorts and spas. While Pearson’s fabrics have traditionally been available only to interior designers, a handful of her trade showrooms now work with consumers. sinapearson.com — W.K.

Restaurant News

Making its debut during the star-studded Sundance 2010 and luring the likes of Mario Lopez and Paris Hilton, the chic new Park City, Utah, eatery TALISKER ON MAIN (above) is the first public offering of the ultra-insider Talisker Club. The idea is to provide diners with a “taste” of what life as a Talisker Club member can be. It’s bright and whimsical (think pressed-tin ceiling, sheepskin chair covers — more Ralph Lauren than Grizzly Adams) and features a lovely outdoor patio. Soon, regulars will be able to rent wine lockers to store their favorite vintages. taliskeronmain.com

Evenings at the HOTEL GANSEVOORT (left), in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District, are heating up with the opening of Provocateur Cafe, featuring European dollhouse-themed banquettes and a retractable glass roof, and Provocateur Nightclub, which features opulent chandeliers and a set of mythical Egyptian phoenix wings suspended 18 feet in the air above the bar. provocateurny.com

At Thomas Keller’s new classic-French-style bar, BAR BOUCHON in Beverly Hills (directly across from the swank Montage hotel), you can sidle up to the massive pewter bar or grab a table on the outdoor patio to feast on a delicious medley of small plates (don’t miss the pâté de campagne). bouchonbistro.com

A new cozy Scottish gastropub in the heart of New York’s West Village (think brick walls, fireplace, stag’s head), HIGHLANDS serves local ingredients with a decidedly Scottish flair. Where else can you find Shetland Isles smoked salmon or Arran goat cheese with pickled beetroot, barley, and black walnuts? Note: The bar is a packed neighborhood haunt just about every night of the week. highlands-nyc.com

Themed to USO and entertainers of the 1940s and with cuisine inspired by the home front, chef John Besh’s THE AMERICAN SECTOR is set inside New Orleans’ new wing of The National World War II Museum. Don’t miss the short rib “Sloppy Joe” on an onion Kaiser roll or the Buster Crabs (pictured left). nationalww2museum. org/american-sector — N.A.

Santa Fe Heats Up

Santa Fe’s sun-washed mountains beckon quadricentennial celebrants with open-air opera, farm-to-table dining, history, and art. — Anna Philpot

• Housed in a humble adobe dwelling, TOUCHING STONE GALLERY shows Japanese artists (shown right: wood-fired ceramic vase by Yoshitaka Hasu), a complement to the indigenous arts. touchingstone.com

• “Georgia O’Keeffe: Abstraction” is the eponymous museum’s summer exhibition, while the MUSEUM OF INDIAN ARTS & CULTURE displays “Huichol Art and Culture: Balancing the World” (shown far right: votive gourd bowl). okeeffemuseum.org, indianartsandculture.org

• PATINA GALLERY features jeweler John Iversen’s nature-inspired designs in 18-karat gold and oxidized silver, as well as German Atelier Zobel’s masterworks (shown far right: earrings in 18-karat gold, platinum beryls, and Russian diamonds). patina-gallery.com

• The beauty of MARK WHITE’s kinetic sculptures mesmerizes Canyon Road tourists, which explains the disclaimer: “Extended viewing may cause extreme relaxation and bouts of pleasant daydreaming.” As they move, the curvilinear parallelograms shimmer with unexpected life. markwhitekinetics.com

• SITE SANTA FE’s contemporary exhibit, the Dissolve, is part of their eighth International Biennial. Local tip: First hit the nearby FARMER’S MARKET for a breakfast burrito and coffee. sitesantafe.org

• A trip to Santa Fe isn’t complete without chiles served up in RESTAURANT MARTÍN’s cozy bistro. Another must-do: SANTA FE SCHOOL OF COOKING’s Restaurant Walking Tours, which offer private tastings (shown right) and meetings with chefs. restaurantmartinsantafe.com, santafeschoolofcooking.com

• For a classic Santa Fe evening, enjoy live show tunes by the waitstaff at LA CASA SENA. Oenophiles be prepared: The award-winning wine menu is extensive. lacasasena.com

• CASA DE ESTRELLAS’ award-winning villas (shown left and below) are blocks from Canyon Road and the Plaza. the intimate, Moroccan-themed spa unveils recent renovations and a new skincare line just in time for summer. casadeestrellas.com

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

WITH BASEBALL SEASON IN FULL SWING, THERE’S NO DOUBT THAT FANS OF ALL 30 MAJOR LEAGUE TEAMS WILL BE HEADING TO THE BALLYARD TO TOUCH BASE WITH THEIR FAVORITE CLUB AT SOME POINT THIS SUMMER. ALONG WITH MONITORING THE STANDINGS AND WATCHING TO MAKE SURE THAT THE UMP GOT THAT CALL RIGHT, FANS HEADED TO THE GAME WILL FIND FUN ATTRACTIONS TO AMUSE THEM WHILE AT THE PARK. HERE ARE JUST A FEW OF OUR FAVORITES. — TRAVIS KINSEY

WASHINGTON NATIONALS (NATIONALS PARK) Nationals Park, just down the road from the home of America’s 44th commander in chief, boasts a footrace (top image) between our first (Washington), third (Jefferson), 16th (Lincoln), and 26th (Roosevelt) leaders, or at least some very animated likenesses. Taking place in the middle of the fourth inning of every game, the race is followed by a free photo op for fans who want their picture taken with a prez.

DETROIT TIGERS (COMERICA PARK) Can’t decide whether to wait out that pitching change on the carousel or on the Ferris wheel? No need, as Comerica Park (below) offers both attractions for fans who want a little extra amusement with their nine innings. Ride on an ornately painted tiger or in a giant baseball, depending on which ride you choose. Rides are $2 per person, with kids 14 and younger riding free on Sundays.

TAMPA BAY RAYS (TROPICANA FIELD) While the team’s current name and logo are meant to symbolize the kind of rays everyone’s trying to catch on the beach, the team’s Touch Tank, located behind center field, features the underwater kind in homage to the team’s original incarnation as the Devil Rays. Operated via a joint partnership between the Rays and the Florida Aquarium, the 10,000-gallon, 35-foot tank (above) allows fans to touch Cownose rays for free and buy food to feed them, with the proceeds going to local charities. (Not to mention that any Rays home run hit into the tank also raises money for charity!)

MINNESOTA TWINS (TARGET FIELD) We haven’t even been to a game at Target Field (below) yet, but the Twins’ new home excites us, well, because it’s the Twins’ new home! Having experienced baseball in the cavernous Metrodome for nearly 30 years, Twins players and fans now enjoy the game as we think it was meant to be savored — outdoors! The only new park to open this year, Target Field has finally given the Twins a home to call their own, as they had to share the Metrodome with the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings.

Chill Out

Hot summer days — and warm summer nights — call for cool cocktails. These three refreshing recipes will have you sipping in style.

Leblon Caipirinha

½ lime
2 tsp. superfine sugar or
1 oz. simple syrup
2 oz. Leblon Cachaça
Slice of lime, for garnish

Cut the lime half into four wedges. Muddle the lime and sugar in a shaker. Fill the shaker with ice and add Leblon Cachaça. Shake vigorously. Serve in a rocks glass. Garnish with a slice of lime.

Indian Summer

1 ½ oz. Cointreau
3 blackberries
4 sage leaves
3 slices cucumber
1 oz. gin
¾ oz. fresh lemon juice
Club soda
Blackberry or cucumber on skewer, for garnish

Muddle the Cointreau with the blackberries, sage, and cucumber. Add gin and fresh lemon juice, then shake and strain over fresh ice into a Collins glass. Top off with club soda. Add garnish.

UV Piña Colada

1 cup UV Coconut vodka
1 cup pineapple juice
1 cup ice
Pineapple slice, for garnish

In a blender, combine vodka, pineapple juice, and ice. Blend until frothy and smooth. Pour into glass and garnish with a pineapple slice.

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