Esplanade

An esplanade or promenade is a long, open, level area, usually next to a river or large body of water, where people may walk. The original meaning of esplanade was a large, open, level area outside fortress or city walls to provide clear fields of fire for the fortress' guns. In modern usage the space allows people to walk for recreational purposes; esplanades are often on sea fronts, and allow walking whatever the state of the tide, without having to walk on the beach. Esplanades became popular in Victorian times when it was fashionable to visit seaside resorts. A promenade, often abbreviated to '(the) Prom', was an area where people - couples and families especially - would go to walk for a while in order to 'be seen' and be considered part of 'society'.

In North America, esplanade has another meaning, being also a median (strip of raised land) dividing a roadway or boulevard. Sometimes they are just strips of grass, or some may have gardens and trees. Some roadway esplanades may be used as parks with a walking/jogging trail and benches.

The Stroll

The stroll was both a slow rock 'n' roll dance and a song that was popular in the late 1950s.

Billboard first reported that "The Stroll" might herald a new dance craze similar to the "Big Apple" in December 1957. "The Stroll" was written by Clyde Otis and Nancy Lee and was recorded by the Canadian group the Diamonds (Mercury 71242). The Diamonds versions also featured a saxophone soloist.

The original version of the song reached number four on the Billboard pop charts, number five on the R&B charts, and number one on the Cashbox charts.

In the dance, two lines of dancers, men on one side and women on the other, face each other, moving in place to the music. Each paired couple then steps out and does a more elaborate dance up and down between the rows of dancers. Dick Clark noted the similarity of the dance to the Virginia reel.

It was first performed to "C. C. Rider" by Chuck Willis on American Bandstand. Link Wray's "Rumble" was also a popular tune for doing the stroll.

It is referenced in Led Zeppelin's 1950s rock homage "Rock and Roll".

The Grid

The Grid are an English electronic dance group, consisting of David Ball (formerly of Soft Cell) and Richard Norris, with guest contributions from other musicians. They are best known for the hits "Swamp Thing", "Crystal Clear", "Rollercoaster" and "Floatation".

Band members

History

The Grid formed in London, England in 1988, after both Ball and Norris had worked with Psychic TV on the Jack the Tab – Acid Tablets Volume One album. They recorded the track "Meet Every Situation Head On" together as "M.E.S.H.". The Grid had their first success with their debut single, "Floatation", released on East West Records in 1990. They went on to release a string of ten UK hit singles and four albums, and toured the UK, Europe, Asia and Australia. The group's 1994 album Evolver reached No. 14 in the UK Albums Chart. The lead single from this album, "Swamp Thing", features elaborate banjo lines played by Roger Dinsdale. "Swamp Thing" proved to be a commercial success in the UK, Europe and Australia, reaching No. 3 in the UK and Australia and selling a total of one million copies.

Mobil 1 The Grid

Mobil 1 The Grid is a motorsport magazine show, which airs on Channel 4 in the UK on Saturday mornings (the first six episodes were shown on Friday nights) and is repeated during the following week on Motors TV. It is also broadcast on NBC Sports Network in North America and Fox Sports 3 in Latin America. The show is presented by Eddy Temple-Morris and Charlie Brougham and supported by lubricant Mobil 1. It is produced by Sunset and Vine. The show first aired in March 2009, and there were 26 weekly shows during the first year. In 2013, this increased to 30 episodes supported by a new website which hosts exclusive online features.

Features

One of the show's main features is 'The Grid', which shows highlights from recent world motorsports action, including NASCAR, BTCC and Indycar, with commentary from John Hindhaugh. 'Venue' looks at some well-known racing circuits. 'Inside Track' gives an insight into teams and championships while 'Test Track' joins teams in their preparations. The show also takes an in-depth look at some of the leading drivers from around the world. 'The Tribe' takes a look at some lesser known motorsports action. 'Under The Hood' looks up-close at racing cars and 'Crew Cut' showcases individual team members.

Phi Alpha Literary Society

Phi Alpha (ΦΑ) is a men's Literary Society founded in 1845 at Illinois College in Jacksonville, Illinois. It conducts Business Meetings, Literary Productions, and other activities in Beecher Hall, the oldest college building in the state of Illinois.

Origin

"On Thursday evening, September 25, 1845, seven students from Illinois College gathered in a small room on the third floor of the old dormitory and made a momentous and historic decision. In order to unite a group of men whose ideas and principles were similar enough as to desire a common bond of fellowship, a new society was to be organized. Five days later the Immortal Seven drew up and adopted the constitution that proved to be the birth certificate of Phi Alpha Literary Society."

Founders

The seven founders of Phi Alpha who are called the Immortal Seven are: