The Best of Bloomington, Indiana

Bloomington has a rich theater culture, and is home to several professional theater companies, including Broadway Entertainment Company & Cardinal Stage Company. Bloomington also has several community and amateur theaters which include Monroe County Civic Theater as well as the Indiana University Dept. of Theatrical Arts.

Bloomington has been named a Tree City for more than 20 years.  Bloomington is also famous for its rock quarries which residents have been known to use as swimming holes.

Bloomington is the home to Indiana University. Established in 1820, IU has approximately 40,000 students and is the original and largest campus of the Indiana University system. In 1991, Thomas Gaines, a landscape artist, published a book, The Campus As a Work of Art, in which he named the Bloomington University campus one of the five most beautiful in America. Most of the campus buildings are built of Indiana limestone.

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Mondrian in South Beach Opens During Art Basel

Morgans Hotel Group, the groundbreaking innovator that introduced the world to iconic brands such as Delano in Miami Beach, Royalton in New York City and Sanderson in London, unveiled Mondrian in South Beach December 1. Inspired by its LA namesake – known for cutting-edge design and glamorous nightlife personified by the original Skybar – South Beach is the latest in an exclusive collection of cities that welcomes the Mondrian brand. Mondrian also represents the first time the company offers private residences and condo-hotel ownership.

Conceived by Marcel Wanders, Fast Company’s 2008 “Masters of Design,” as Sleeping Beauty’s castle, residents and guests will truly live within a modern fantasy. Wanders inverts traditional design elements to create chic, dramatic living spaces, furnished with original pieces from his design studio, where he produces everything from lighting to flooring, including iconic pieces such as the Knotted Chair. Exteriors offer entry to a magical world, including an oasis of lush gardens with an intimate outdoor pool bar, private cabanas created with curtains of living foliage and even an adult sandbox. While Delano’s signature “Water Salon” became an international destination, Mondrian will raise the bar for poolside decadence with Wanders’ fantastical designs.

Also envisioned by Wanders, the hotel will feature Morgans’ world-renowned agua spa, opening early in 2009. With a mirrored Bisazza-mosaic reception desk that scatters light across the dimly lit room and a manicure area accessed through a hidden door, the spa will debut an exclusive skincare line and several new treatments.

Jeffrey Chodorow also presents the latest Asia de Cuba restaurant, bringing a vibrant, social atmosphere with innovative menus that incorporate the best of Asian and Latin cuisines. Under the culinary direction of Executive Chef Bryan Flyer, diners will indulge in Asia de Cuba’s imaginative dishes in portions intended for sharing. The royal communal table, made popular at the first Asia de Cuba at Morgans in New York City, is situated upon a custom carpet and steals the spotlight in this space. Golden bells above the table call out to diners to take their seats and crystal chandeliers set within the bells shower guests with faceted light. Deep cushioned booths line the walls of the room, and the restaurant opens out onto the terrace where patrons can enjoy a cool breeze or escape to one of the private dining gardens and “kissing corners.”

Rounding out the complete lifestyle offerings, Morgans unveils its newest hot spot, Sunset Lounge. Conceptualized by nightlife impresario Ben Pundole of Skybar and Bungalow 8 at St Martins Lane, Sunset Lounge offers a nightlife experience with live Latin and Spanish music, a handcrafted specialty cocktail list and sunset views over the downtown Miami skyline. Golden candelabras and onyx jewel-cut stools are playfully dotted between ottomans and new antiques, a striking contrast of the imaginative and the forgotten. Gold leaf wallpaper surrounds the stretch patterned sofa that is set upon a staged, dark herringbone floor.

“We believe Mondrian in South Beach is the most exciting new property the city has seen in decades. With Marcel Wanders’ first hotel design in the US and a move onto West Avenue, we’re redefining the destination and offering spectacular views of the Miami skyline and Biscayne Bay. Mondrian is so extraordinary and is targeting such a unique customer that it will lead for years as a one-of-a-kind, coveted experience for guests and locals alike,” said Fred Kleisner, President & CEO of Morgans Hotel Group.