Friday I got so wrapped up in La Fete de la Musique that I left out quite a few other things.

First of all, today is World Refugee Day, a day to consider the 40 million refugees worldwide. This evening at 8, Books & Books in Coral Gables is hosting a discussion of the international refugee situation with Irwin Stotzky of the University of Miami, Denise Wallace of St. Thomas University, and the staff of the International Rescue Committee.

Sweet Mango Tours is offering a trip to northern Thailand December 20, 2008 - January 4, 2009. Price is $2,750 (not including air) and the trip involves a homestay in a rural rice-farming village. Linda Wheatley, who leads the tours, wrote: "I did this with my two kids when they were 10 and 14 - we trekked through northern jungles and spent Christmas in a host village. Then we celebrated New Year's with my friends in Northeast Thailand - lighting fire-crackers, sweating in the tropical heat and wandering an enormous city fair. I'm hoping to engage other American families in trying a different kind of holiday season - for those looking to give of their hearts and receive in kind."

Some big names are coming to Miami: The Rhythm Foundation is bringing the great Brazilian singer, songwriter and, more recently, cultural minister Gilberto Gil to The Fillmore Miami Beach at the Jackie Gleason Theater Saturday, July 5.

Three days later (July 8), Salman Rushdie will speak at Temple Judea in Coral Gables (the crowds he attracts are too big to fit in Books & Books).

If you're traveling, the wonderful klezmer duo of Deborah Strauss and Jeff Warschauer will be performing and teaching at the Jewish Culture Festival in Krakow, Poland, June 28-July 6. I've been to the festival twice, and it is a fascinating event.

And - now for a little self-advertisement - if you're in Australia next month I'll be speaking, and teaching, at the Melbourne Festival of Travel Writing July 19-20.