Scrappy Travels

One of my very favorite things to do when I travel is find an independent book shop. Some cities have loads, while others may not have any. When I do find a treasure, I'm always ridiculously happy. Instead of just giving these shops my money, I thought I'd give them a bit of good press while I was at it. First up is: The Book Tavern 936 Broad Street, Suite 101  Augusta GA, 30901 About The Book Tavern The Book Tavern is a new and used book shop on the main shopping street in Augusta GA, Broad Street. While there isn't much shopping to be had here, this shop seems to be thriving.  What I Loved Their inventory is insane! Every shelf is positively overflowing with books. Even the tiny second floor (don't you just love an extra floor?!) contained a ridiculous number of treasures. This is where I found the Theatre and Arts section; usually about 2 shelves in most shops. Here there are about 10 shelves with everything from Biographies to Shakespeare's plays....

One of the joys of living in the area of DC, Maryland, and Virginia is the access we have to all types of magnificent theatre. From small independents to large equity houses, the DMV positively overflows with great productions. Though, the overabundance of houses makes it difficult to plan a season. Because if you're a theatre lover like me, you just want to see every show produced, which at this rate, would put you in a theatre almost every evening. While that sounds awesome, my wallet thinks it may be a bit much.  That being said, there are some definite shows to be seen this season. Shows that if I haven't already purchased tickets to, I've marked the dates those tickets go on sale in my calendar so I can be online at 10:00 am that day to purchase. It may be a mild obsession, but hey, it could be worse! Without further ado here are the shows I'm most excited about this season in the DMV. * Murder on the Orient Express at Everyman Theatre: I've been to...

One of my very favorite genres to read is travel writing. Not travel guides, that show you all the best places to visit when you reach a place, but travel writing. It's those first hand accounts of travelers and tales of writers heading to far off places that I just love. I've read these stories to plan trips, but also to dream about places I'll probably never reach (I'm looking at you Bhutan...) While I've read many - there are three entire shelves devoted to these wonders alone in my library - these are my top 5. And because I'm not so good with the narrowing down, I've also provided you a few books that I liked, similar to my favorites.  Happy (Literary) Travels! 1. A Cook's Tour by Anthony Bourdain  Every Bourdain fan knows this is his least favorite of the books he wrote. But for me, it was the first of his I'd read, and I fell in love with his unique philosophy on food, travel, and life itself. It will always hold a special place in ...

A few years ago, I took in this little musical at Ford's Theatre in DC, about the days following September 11, 2001. I had no idea what to expect when walking into the theatre. But upon walking out, I had tears in my eyes, and the biggest grin on my face. The show of course was Come From Away , and I've been in love with its simple message of kindness since the first notes of the score. In the often dark times we're living in now, it's no surprise that this show has been a global sensation and its message has resonated with so many people around the world. Not only is the message of kindness incredibly important, but it's also necessary in these days and times. Because Come From Away is based on a true story of what happened in Gander Newfoundland, in the dark days that followed the terrorist attacks of 2001, the creators believed it was important to celebrate the real life inspirations for these characters you see on stage. That brings me to You are Here: A C...

When all the wonderful Broadway shows from this season closed suddenly this summer, I and I'm sure lots of other Broadway fans were bummed. It's usual for a few to shutter after the Tony Awards if they don't receive any awards love, but it just seemed the onslaught of closing notices was especially harsh. From The Cher Show to Be More Chill and everything in between. In all, six shows closed within just a few weeks. This included my love, The Prom , which broke my heart.  While none were blockbusters the size of Hamilton or Hadestown , they all drew in steady crowds and decent reviews. Though we may never know exactly what brought the shows to a halt, we do know for a fact that with every closing comes a brand new opening. While many of these announcements are straight plays, a few musical openings are finally peeking through. Now that we have a clearer picture of what 2019-2020 will look like, here's what I'm most excited about. * Tina: The Tina ...

Since all the kiddos are heading back to school, I thought I'd start my first Book Worm Wednesday post sharing one of my very favorite reads of 2019 (and quite possibly of all time). I've seen many, many schools in England add this tale to their class libraries and to their curriculum. I only hope that happens here in the states, because when kindness and open-heartedness are needed more than ever, I can't think of a book that teaches those values more. First, let me back up a bit. I read a lot of middle grade stories. Some of the best writers of today, are writing for children in the 9-12 year range. It's spectacular to see the stories these writers tell, and the lessons they share with their eager readers. Around the start of the year, on social media I was seeing a lot of The Boy in the Back of the Class , by Onjali Q. Rauf. I knew very little, other than people from all walks of life were seemingly falling for this story of a young refugee and his friends. Thou...

I watch a lot of theatre interviews. I learn a whole lot, and usually laugh a bunch. It keeps my mind occupied while doing some mindless task. Anyway, none of this is the point. The point is, that during the course of many of these theatre interviews, a few people have mentioned the web series Submissions Only . It's usually a passing comment about doing the show or loving the show. And though I do love a new theatre obsession, for some reason it took me almost 8 years of this series existing for me to check it out.  And oh my goodness, where has it been all my life? Like I said, Submissions Only is a web series created by Andrew Keenan Bolger and Kate Wetherhead. It's based in the world of Broadway theatre, and features cameos by big Broadway stars almost every week. Though its core cast is comprised of big Broadway stars in their own rite. After its premiere in 2010, it became something of an underground sensation in the theatre community. This tiny little project c...

For some a relaxing Labor Day weekend is time spent at the beach. For others, it's a BBQ with friends. For me, there's nothing better than wandering around a city I love. The problem with the city I love is that it requires a Megabus ride to get there. Though, for all their ridiculousness, the best thing they have going for them is that they're cheap. So off to New York City I went - completely on my own.  It may sound sad or slightly pathetic, but (while I love going with friends and family) there's no better way to see the city than completely alone. Of course, you're never really alone in New York. There are always tons of people hustling and bustling. I feel completely at home in the chaos. I'm free to collect my thoughts and see everything I want to see, even if those things are things I've seen dozens of times.  For the past few years or so, I've made it a point to go at least once completely alone. It's a recharge for me. I love wh...

I have a chair in my home - a not all that comfortable chair, that has spent its life living in a corner in my library nook waiting to be useful. Currently, its use is an onslaught of books needing a bookshelf. You see, I'm completely out of room on my shelves. Books are stacked two deep in some places, and horizontally, and vertically. And yet, I still keep buying books at a ridiculous rate. I'm not sure who told me whoever has the most books, wins at life. But if that's true, I'm certainly winning some prize.  The very worst part of it is, I'm secretly in a book detox. I started the year off really well, reading at a furious rate. But, since the start of summer, I can't seem to focus. And the overflow of books is making it harder and harder to do so. One would think I would stop buying them at some point, seeing as it's contributing to my inability to decide on what exactly to read. But just this weekend I went to the Library of Congress Book Festiva...

It all started with Beauty and the Beast. I had already fallen in love with theatre by the time I saw the touring production of this Disney classic. A night at the theatre was my favorite past time (as it is now). But Beauty and the Beast tested me in ways I hadn't guessed it would. What I saw on the stage were costumes that looked very similar to the ones walking around Disney World. These weren't graceful and gorgeous dresses and tuxedos. These were giant outfits, made to cover most of the actors.  How could this be considered fabulous by pretty much everyone I had ever spoken to? I just didn't get it. And quite honestly, I still don't. It was the movie (which I LOVED), come to life - and not in a good way. There and then, I swore off Disney theatricals. I made an exception for Mary Poppins , and Disney still let me down. That's why I still haven't seen The Lion King ! Contrary to its title, the ice thawed a bit when I saw Frozen . Now that's bri...