Monday Love

It was a calm weekend by Bryant standards.  We did a lot of hanging out at the house and I did a lot of catching up on rest after my resent tummy troubles. 

Saw Swan Lake with Tessa at the
Carpenter Theatre

Make some Valentine Goodies



Ok I didn't totally rest my stomach from
everything!


It was a relaxing weekend.  But the week has us both off and running like crazy mad.  Hope it's off to a great start for everyone! 

Bag Pipes and Men in Kilts

Yes that is how we spent the evening.  A trip to Richmond's Carpenter Theatre and a show of The Pipes and Drums of the Black Watch 3rd Battalion, The Royal Regiments of Scotland and The Band of the Scots Guards.  I am in love with this Theatre, so getting to go for the evening was a treat.  Add to that getting to watch men in kilts :) 

Sadly the pictures weren't great.  This is a place much more beautiful in person.   



I call this the Mini-Tessa look

Fun night.  Looks like a little snow this weekend.  No big adventures planned so I suppose a little of the white stuff would be ok.  Maybe it would give me time to catch up on a few things around the house....haha.  Who am I kidding?!?!?!?!

Sycamore Rouge

This past Sunday we had a funday!  Mark and I had the chance to visit a local theater and take in a burlesque show.  What could be more fun than singing, dancing and comedy bits that had us cracking up all afternoon? 

Located in Old Town Petersburg, Sycamore Rouge, is a small performing arts theater with lots to offer.  This special show was part of a fund raising campaign to help keep the doors open and the performers on the stage.  The Slomski Fool's Day Burlesque Brunch was a great way to kick off their campaign and a cause that Mark and I were more than happy to support.  I mean beautiful girls and talented performers....what's not to love?  For two hours we got to sing along with the singers, watch performers twist and turn (and sometimes strip down to.....well that's another story) and laugh at the comedy sketches between the dancing and singing.  In the coming weeks they will be showing a variety of other performers and plays, including Steel Magnolias.  I'm hoping the doors to this place stay open not only because it's a real asset to the area but because they know how to have a good time.  

 

Running on Monument

With it's cobble stone streets and memorials to some of Virginia's participants in the Civil War, Richmond's Monument Avenue is a site to behold.   Now add several bands and cheering crouds lining the avenue, people dressed in costumes and 42,000 walkers/runners and you have the annual Monument 10K. 



Our wave at the starting line






In Monroe Park pre race



The Landmark Theater



Waiting in our wave to get
the party started

And sorry there are no pictures during the race because I had my hands full trying to keep up with the other runners.  I am happy to report I finished in one piece and was able to reach my goal of running the entire thing.  I really Really REALLY wanted to stop and just walk.....several times.  But I was afraid my ride would leave me :)  I will definitely put this on the calendar for next year.  Maybe by then I'll have more Busy Bryants to join me!

A Night at the Theater

This past Friday night I had the extreme pleasure of taking Christy to see The Lion King at The Landmark Theater.  Originally know as The Mosque, Landmark Theater opened it's doors in 1927.  According to the web site the original construction included a bowling alley, a pool and 42 hotel rooms.  Today it has seating for 3,565.  And on Friday night it looked like a full house. 




On approach

I have been to Landmark before but it's been a few years and didn't have a good memory about parking, walking distance, etc.  So I left the house and gave myself about an hour of driving time before the play started.  We got there in plenty of time (even after I missed a vital turn) and found parking in the deck next door to be the easiest option.  The theater is right in the mix with VCU campus buildings so to me it doesn't usually stand out.  But this particular night it glowed!  As soon as we saw the building we both were like little kids in a candy store. 




Landmark Theater



I had heard reviews of The Lion King but really even after hearing that it was great I was not prepared for how great it was.  I promise you it is MAGNIFICENT!  The music, the costumes, the everything are just indescribable.  

Hear him roar....

Once inside the had to climb to the third floor balcony and find our seats.  There is not a lot of room to manuver once in the seat but really once the show starts you won't be moving anyway.  The first act was maybe and hour and twenty minuets.  After a breif intermission the second act got started and lasted about an hour.  The play is of course based on Disney's movie The Lion King and many of the songs are similar to the movie.  There are a few changes here and there but it just adds to the play.  Both Christy and I thourghly enjoyed ourselves!  I would recommend it to anyone that either enjoys musicals or enjoyed the original movie. 




Curtain call



The center ceiling.



Now that is a light fixture.



Sorry folks....no pictures from the play since they don't allow photos to be taken.  And there was no way I wanted kicked out of this play!




My Christy.

It was a wonderful evening sharing something great with Christy.  So glad I had the oppurtunity to do it with her :)





Swift Creek Mill Playhouse



Swift Creek Mill Playhouse.

Just a short drive across town is a small dinner theatre, Swift Creek Mill Playhouse.  Built in 1663, this mill changed hands several times before becoming the historical landmark it is today.  Located right next to the Swift Creek, in Colonial Heights, the theatre has a beautiful backdrop for a location.  It seems that they have about half a dozen shows a season with times varying to include some matinees on weekends.  Tickets for dinner and a play were about $50 a piece.  You can buy tickets to only see the play.  The dinner is buffet style and starts at 6:00 for an evening play.  You have dinner on the first floor and then move upstairs for the play.  I didn't see an elevator for anyone that might have trouble with the stairs but they have a number to call to make arrangements for assistance. 




Theatre to the left....dinner to the right.



This particular night my Mom had asked to do something with our men.  And when I say our men I mean my dad, my brother-in-law and Mark.  So my sister and I made some arrangements and told the men what day and what time to be ready but we didn't tell them where we were going or what we were doing.  I think Mark was a little nervous :)  And if I tell you what he guessed then you would think he had lost his MIND.  But come Saturday night we all arrived at the Playhouse around the same time.  Mark was happy to find out he was not going to have to do something crazy (like I would make him do that) and since he had never been to the Playhouse he considered it an adventure. 





Swift Creek



Dinner at the Playhouse is....o.k.  It's not great food but it's also not the worst food I've eaten either.  We saw the play The 39 Steps.  It's an adaptation of an Alfred Hitchcock movie by the same name.  I have no idea if the movie was a comedy but the play sure is.  We really enjoyed ourselves and now Mark has a new fondness for live theatre! 



The Playhouse gift shop.





Our little crew waiting for me to take pictures.





Wouldn't this be pretty at Christmas.



The mill no longer functions but they refurbished
some of the equipment to add to the atmosphere.



The 39 Steps






The stage before the performance.




It was a really fun night.  My dad did make it clear however that the next "secret date night" would be planned by him and he did mention Hooters...ha ha ha.  I certainly think Mark's first trip here will not be his last.