A few days ago, I visited my brother and his wife in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Dinner time arrived, and we discussed going out to get a bite to eat. The all-important question: where? Brother Brice mentioned a few possibilities, but his strongest suggestion seemed to be a place called Bahama Breeze, a restaurant he vaguely recalled having eaten at once before some time ago.
We enjoyed very good meals there, but beyond the food quality (and quantities), Bahama Breeze's atmosphere itself is special. A particular part of the restuarant really grabbed us, and after we finished our dining experience, we all remarked on what a treat it was to enjoy the indoor "outdoor" seating. It was raining when we arrived, and I dropped my brother and his wife off at the door before rolling around to the other side of the restaurant to park. Had I not driven to the other side of the restaurant, my dad and I might have missed noticing the open-windowed patio seating. Brice and Lynette were already inside and had put us down for a table, receiving one of those devices to alert us when a table became available. My dad and I asked if they would be interested in the semi-outdoor seating we had noticed, and they found the suggestion agreeable. When we indicated our preference to the hostesses, we were told that we didn't even have to wait; if tables were available there, all we had to do is go sit at one, which is what we did. I'm assuming the food would have tasted just as good had we chosen to eat at one of the traditional "inside" tables, but I can't imagine that we would have enjoyed the atmosphere as much (and that's not saying anything negative about what we observed on the inside; I'm just emphasizing how cool our surroundings were "outside").
Apparently, Raleigh is the lone North Carolina city to have a Bahama Breeze, and the only other bordering state to have one is Georgia. (Georgia and Florida seem to be the most popular locations for this chain.) From the website, I did notice that at least one Bahama Breeze appears to be on the water, and that's perhaps the only missing ingredient for the Raleigh restaurant. The website offers a virtual tour, but I'm not sure that it really captures the quality of the experience we had. (I haven't even mentioned the service, something that always matters when dining out, but that too was on a superior level; we had a great waiter!)
So if you're in the Raleigh area, I recommend Bahama Breeze for your consideration. More specifically, I recommend trying the virtual "outdoors" dining the patio area provides.
From the website: "Bahama Breeze brings you the feeling of a Caribbean escape, featuring Caribbean-inspired seafood, chicken, and steak, handcrafted tropical drinks, and a vibrant island atmopshere." From my perspective: Bahama Breeze achieves exactly what it sets out to accomplish.
CORRECTION: I indicated that Bahama Breeze is only located in one of North Carolina's bordering states; I just realized that, in addition to having three stores in Georgia, there's one in Memphis, Tennessee also.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
At Least Two Local Theatres Blogging Away
Two local theatres have blogs that highlight both current and upcoming productions: the Open Space Cafe Theatre Blog and the Triad Stage Blog.
Up next at the OSCT is "Dinah Was!: The Dinah Washington Musical," running from August 20-30, 2009.
Triad Stage is preparing for a "Picnic" that will be held between September 6th and September 27th.
If you've never visited these theatres before, I recommend both very highly. The only regrets I've ever experienced with these two theatres are the performances I haven't found/made time to attend. While very different from one another, what they share is the ability to bring highly entertaining, very provocative productions to life on their respective stages.
Knowing date ranges for each theatre's next productions, you seriously should consider making plans to attend these shows. Unless you make plans to do so, chances are high that you will end up missing great opportunities to see great entertainment practically in your own backyard.
Up next at the OSCT is "Dinah Was!: The Dinah Washington Musical," running from August 20-30, 2009.
Triad Stage is preparing for a "Picnic" that will be held between September 6th and September 27th.
If you've never visited these theatres before, I recommend both very highly. The only regrets I've ever experienced with these two theatres are the performances I haven't found/made time to attend. While very different from one another, what they share is the ability to bring highly entertaining, very provocative productions to life on their respective stages.
Knowing date ranges for each theatre's next productions, you seriously should consider making plans to attend these shows. Unless you make plans to do so, chances are high that you will end up missing great opportunities to see great entertainment practically in your own backyard.
Policeman and Professor Didn't Invent the Art of Stepping on Toes
When I saw "Rounding Third" last Saturday at the Open Space Cafe Theatre, I didn't realize that I would have the opportunity to witness a preview of the conversation between a police officer and a professor (with a president and a vice president on the sidelines).
"Rounding Third," a play about two little-league baseball coaches who have very different views about what should matter most for their players (winning vs. having fun), does not mention race at all, and I don't recall any law enforcement issues leaping off the stage.
But throughout the play, the two characters stepped on each other's toes by saying and doing things that were unintentionally but effectively hurtful or offensive to one another. (Fortunately for audience members, the characters' words and actions provoked not only deep thinking but also strong laughter.)
Race is cited as a topic that has the potential to bring out the worst from our human natures, but we don't require the presence of racial issues for us to manage to hurt and offend one another on still very significant levels. Without race, we still manage quite well to figure out other ways to be jerks toward one another, whether we mean to be or not. (It's arguably an American tragedy how many of us have no conscience about intentionally trying to hurt and offend others around us.) And almost without fail, at the same time that we step on other people's shoes without realizing that we're doing so, we have a sixth sense for immediately being able to perceive when other people are stepping on our own shoes. We're infuriated at the people who step on our own shoes, but we more often than not regard ourselves as blameless and can't see our own natural abilities for doing the very same in reverse.
Maybe someone needs to create a play for us to watch about the conversations that take place between a police officer and a professor, and if it helps the cause, maybe their races can be a part of their conversations. Just remember though, that while race matters, it's not a prerequisite for humans to fail to communicate adequately and respectfully with one another. Ultimately, it's just as much a human thing as it is a race thing.
"Rounding Third," a play about two little-league baseball coaches who have very different views about what should matter most for their players (winning vs. having fun), does not mention race at all, and I don't recall any law enforcement issues leaping off the stage.
But throughout the play, the two characters stepped on each other's toes by saying and doing things that were unintentionally but effectively hurtful or offensive to one another. (Fortunately for audience members, the characters' words and actions provoked not only deep thinking but also strong laughter.)
Race is cited as a topic that has the potential to bring out the worst from our human natures, but we don't require the presence of racial issues for us to manage to hurt and offend one another on still very significant levels. Without race, we still manage quite well to figure out other ways to be jerks toward one another, whether we mean to be or not. (It's arguably an American tragedy how many of us have no conscience about intentionally trying to hurt and offend others around us.) And almost without fail, at the same time that we step on other people's shoes without realizing that we're doing so, we have a sixth sense for immediately being able to perceive when other people are stepping on our own shoes. We're infuriated at the people who step on our own shoes, but we more often than not regard ourselves as blameless and can't see our own natural abilities for doing the very same in reverse.
Maybe someone needs to create a play for us to watch about the conversations that take place between a police officer and a professor, and if it helps the cause, maybe their races can be a part of their conversations. Just remember though, that while race matters, it's not a prerequisite for humans to fail to communicate adequately and respectfully with one another. Ultimately, it's just as much a human thing as it is a race thing.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Laughter Raises Serious Issues About Athletics
It's too late to catch it at the Open Space Cafe Theatre, but if you were lucky, maybe you saw "Rounding Third" before the show closed last Saturday (July 25th).
Two men with very different philosophies about what should matter most for young people who play sports are forced by circumstances to coach the same baseball team. Veteran coach Don knows that the only way that playing baseball can really be any fun is for the team to win. To win, he understands that he must select the players who already possess the most positive potential. Michael has very little experience with baseball and has never coached before, but for a variety of reasons, he's interested in doing so now. Fate leads Michael to become Don's assistant coach. You couldn't ask for a better mismatch of personalities, and in scene after scene, the stark differences in these two coaches' approaches and views jump out at the audience.
With some recent local events, a more timely play couldn't have been selected to help us examine our own personal views and attitudes about youth athletics.
Ken Ashford and Scott Stevens did an outstanding job of capturing the spirit of these two coaches, and their constant back-and-forth dialogue provided just about non-stop laughs. The lines are well-written for these characters, but Ashford and Stevens made sure that they were delivered in ways that guarantee their maximum impact (laughter!) on audience members.
I made it to the closing night performance with a group of 10 others, and we were thoroughly entertained. For that evening's performance, just about all the theatre's seats were taken. I was told that a few other nights didn't enjoy the numbers in the audience that this show and its performers deserved, and more than anything, that's an unrealized loss for anyone who didn't get a chance to see "Rounding Third."
The play doesn't ultimately answer the question of which philosophy is the superior one, but it gives both coaches a fair shot at making their cases for their respective views.
Guilford County has several venues for great theatre, and if you're not taking advantage of these opportunities to see live theatre in your own backyard, you probably don't realize what you're missing.
To get a glimpse of "Rounding Third," check out the Open Space Cafe Theatre's blog posts about this production (with photos included!): here's one, another one (with a Greensboro Grasshopper tie-in), a third one, and the final one.
Two men with very different philosophies about what should matter most for young people who play sports are forced by circumstances to coach the same baseball team. Veteran coach Don knows that the only way that playing baseball can really be any fun is for the team to win. To win, he understands that he must select the players who already possess the most positive potential. Michael has very little experience with baseball and has never coached before, but for a variety of reasons, he's interested in doing so now. Fate leads Michael to become Don's assistant coach. You couldn't ask for a better mismatch of personalities, and in scene after scene, the stark differences in these two coaches' approaches and views jump out at the audience.
With some recent local events, a more timely play couldn't have been selected to help us examine our own personal views and attitudes about youth athletics.
Ken Ashford and Scott Stevens did an outstanding job of capturing the spirit of these two coaches, and their constant back-and-forth dialogue provided just about non-stop laughs. The lines are well-written for these characters, but Ashford and Stevens made sure that they were delivered in ways that guarantee their maximum impact (laughter!) on audience members.
I made it to the closing night performance with a group of 10 others, and we were thoroughly entertained. For that evening's performance, just about all the theatre's seats were taken. I was told that a few other nights didn't enjoy the numbers in the audience that this show and its performers deserved, and more than anything, that's an unrealized loss for anyone who didn't get a chance to see "Rounding Third."
The play doesn't ultimately answer the question of which philosophy is the superior one, but it gives both coaches a fair shot at making their cases for their respective views.
Guilford County has several venues for great theatre, and if you're not taking advantage of these opportunities to see live theatre in your own backyard, you probably don't realize what you're missing.
To get a glimpse of "Rounding Third," check out the Open Space Cafe Theatre's blog posts about this production (with photos included!): here's one, another one (with a Greensboro Grasshopper tie-in), a third one, and the final one.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Blogging Miss Daisy
"Driving Miss Daisy" opens this week at the Open Space Cafe Theatre (4609 W. Market Street).
For visual previews, visit the OSC Theatre's blog or this Fox 8 morning broadcast (which includes a short scene from the play).
If you haven't visited the Open Space Cafe Theatre before, I highly recommend that you check out one of our community's most recently added theatrical treasures. Before the shows and during intermissions, you can even purchase desserts and drinks to take back to your table and enjoy while you watch the performance.
These are the dates for "Driving Miss Daisy": June 11 (TONIGHT!), 12, 13, 18, 19, & 20 at 8:00pm, with a June 14 matinee at 2:00pm.
Tickets are $10.00 each if you're under 17, $17.00 for seniors and college students, and $20.00 for everyone else. There's a student-rush price of $10.00 ten minutes before showtime (if seats are still available).
I always try to organize groups of 8 or more friends and family members so that we can each receive a $2.00 discount off our individual ticket prices. We often eat dinner down the road at Elizabeth's Pizza before visiting the Open Space Cafe Theatre, and right across from the theatre is another great dining option: Bert's Seafood Restaurant. 12 of us are already on-board to see "Driving Miss Daisy" this Saturday.
To order your tickets, just call the box office at 336-292-2285. If the voice mail answers, just leave your name, phone number, the date you want to attend, and how many tickets you desire. Artistic Director Joe Nierle or another staff member will call back to confirm your ticket order.
ONE VERY IMPORTANT WARNING: if you do plan to attend, be prepared for a wonderful experience and many positive memories. Your only regret will likely be that you missed all the shows that came before.
For visual previews, visit the OSC Theatre's blog or this Fox 8 morning broadcast (which includes a short scene from the play).
If you haven't visited the Open Space Cafe Theatre before, I highly recommend that you check out one of our community's most recently added theatrical treasures. Before the shows and during intermissions, you can even purchase desserts and drinks to take back to your table and enjoy while you watch the performance.
These are the dates for "Driving Miss Daisy": June 11 (TONIGHT!), 12, 13, 18, 19, & 20 at 8:00pm, with a June 14 matinee at 2:00pm.
Tickets are $10.00 each if you're under 17, $17.00 for seniors and college students, and $20.00 for everyone else. There's a student-rush price of $10.00 ten minutes before showtime (if seats are still available).
I always try to organize groups of 8 or more friends and family members so that we can each receive a $2.00 discount off our individual ticket prices. We often eat dinner down the road at Elizabeth's Pizza before visiting the Open Space Cafe Theatre, and right across from the theatre is another great dining option: Bert's Seafood Restaurant. 12 of us are already on-board to see "Driving Miss Daisy" this Saturday.
To order your tickets, just call the box office at 336-292-2285. If the voice mail answers, just leave your name, phone number, the date you want to attend, and how many tickets you desire. Artistic Director Joe Nierle or another staff member will call back to confirm your ticket order.
ONE VERY IMPORTANT WARNING: if you do plan to attend, be prepared for a wonderful experience and many positive memories. Your only regret will likely be that you missed all the shows that came before.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Remembering "Blood Brothers"
I made a horrible mistake on Saturday, October 11, 2008 when I went to see the musical "Blood Brothers" at the Open Space Cafe Theatre: that was the show's final performance. And that meant that I wouldn't have an opportunity to see it a second time. I enjoyed it so much that I would have seriously considered seeing it a second time, and I definitely would have tried to talk others into seeing it. I did get together a group of 12 others to see "Blood Brothers," and every one of us thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated the show. We laughed out loud in parts, and by the end, I'm guessing that I was not the only one whose eyes became a little moister.
If you missed "Blood Brothers," you missed an incredible show. Two friends who saw it with me here in Greensboro had seen it in London two summers ago, and they both had liked it enough that they wanted to see it again. They also told me that an even tougher audience--the high school students with whom they were traveling--had also cited "Blood Brothers" as one of their favorite experiences while traveling overseas. Beyond telling a highly engaging story, Willy Russell's musical also confronts some of the issues of class and economics that have become even more timely here recently.
I'm definitely hoping that "Blood Brothers" will return to the area in the not-too-distant future.
In the meantime, the Open Space Cafe Theatre has a new-and-improved website for you to check out.
If you missed "Blood Brothers," you missed an incredible show. Two friends who saw it with me here in Greensboro had seen it in London two summers ago, and they both had liked it enough that they wanted to see it again. They also told me that an even tougher audience--the high school students with whom they were traveling--had also cited "Blood Brothers" as one of their favorite experiences while traveling overseas. Beyond telling a highly engaging story, Willy Russell's musical also confronts some of the issues of class and economics that have become even more timely here recently.
I'm definitely hoping that "Blood Brothers" will return to the area in the not-too-distant future.
In the meantime, the Open Space Cafe Theatre has a new-and-improved website for you to check out.
An Easy Early-Voting Maze at Bur-Mil Park
Earlier this evening, I decided to vote early. The only thing that took a long time was driving from High Point Central High School to Bur-Mil Park.
Arriving some time after 6:00 PM, I parked and walked toward the building that I believe is referred to as the clubhouse. As I got closer, I stopped to take a card from a man seated out front. It was a business card for Teresa Sue Bratton, MD, the only candidate represented by more than a sign stuck in the ground. (I didn't take time to count, but there were a lot of signs lining the path to the clubhouse.)
Catching up with the one lady in front of me, we both ventured to the right toward the front entrance, only to be greeted by a sign indicating that we needed to go around to the back. I voted at Bur-Mil once before, and if I remember correctly, I entered the front way the last time. While there were signs pointing to the left of the building, some signs seemed to be pointing toward the front entrance also, so for a brief moment, one lady and I were briefly confused. Once we figured out that we needed to follow the path to the left, we headed that way and walked around to the back. We bypassed the entrance that was set up for handicapped individuals. We then walked up the stairs and followed a mini-maze that was set up for us to follow. I'm guessing that there have been or will be times when the line meanders back to the back of that maze, but she and I just moved forward because there were no people in front of us.
Once we arrived at the large voting room, we were led to a long table behind which a few workers awaited to verify our voting status. I gave a gentleman my name and address, and then he gave me a form to sign. I then gave the form to a lady who escorted me to one of several voting machines. While I didn't have to wait in line, there were about 8-10 voting machines with individuals behind each one using the push-screen to cast their votes. I voted at the one nearest the door, so I lifted up the left side of the machine to keep my votes a secret from anyone entering while I voted. (Out of the corner of my eye, I saw one or two more people enter the voting room while I voted.) I skipped the straight-ticket option, and I voted for some Democrats, and I voted for some Republicans, but not in equal numbers. I chose not to vote for one candidate who didn't have any competition, but had there been another name on the ballot, I would have voted for his opponent. I didn't keep track of how long the entire process took, but I definitely didn't need to warm up my car by the time I returned to it. And I didn't have time to read a single word of the newspaper I carried inside in case I did have to wait in line.
Now, I just have to wait two weeks to find out if my picks win. I only voted for the best candidates, so I sure hope they win.
Arriving some time after 6:00 PM, I parked and walked toward the building that I believe is referred to as the clubhouse. As I got closer, I stopped to take a card from a man seated out front. It was a business card for Teresa Sue Bratton, MD, the only candidate represented by more than a sign stuck in the ground. (I didn't take time to count, but there were a lot of signs lining the path to the clubhouse.)
Catching up with the one lady in front of me, we both ventured to the right toward the front entrance, only to be greeted by a sign indicating that we needed to go around to the back. I voted at Bur-Mil once before, and if I remember correctly, I entered the front way the last time. While there were signs pointing to the left of the building, some signs seemed to be pointing toward the front entrance also, so for a brief moment, one lady and I were briefly confused. Once we figured out that we needed to follow the path to the left, we headed that way and walked around to the back. We bypassed the entrance that was set up for handicapped individuals. We then walked up the stairs and followed a mini-maze that was set up for us to follow. I'm guessing that there have been or will be times when the line meanders back to the back of that maze, but she and I just moved forward because there were no people in front of us.
Once we arrived at the large voting room, we were led to a long table behind which a few workers awaited to verify our voting status. I gave a gentleman my name and address, and then he gave me a form to sign. I then gave the form to a lady who escorted me to one of several voting machines. While I didn't have to wait in line, there were about 8-10 voting machines with individuals behind each one using the push-screen to cast their votes. I voted at the one nearest the door, so I lifted up the left side of the machine to keep my votes a secret from anyone entering while I voted. (Out of the corner of my eye, I saw one or two more people enter the voting room while I voted.) I skipped the straight-ticket option, and I voted for some Democrats, and I voted for some Republicans, but not in equal numbers. I chose not to vote for one candidate who didn't have any competition, but had there been another name on the ballot, I would have voted for his opponent. I didn't keep track of how long the entire process took, but I definitely didn't need to warm up my car by the time I returned to it. And I didn't have time to read a single word of the newspaper I carried inside in case I did have to wait in line.
Now, I just have to wait two weeks to find out if my picks win. I only voted for the best candidates, so I sure hope they win.
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