Disney's Timeless Tale Of Beauty And The Beast-Don't Miss It

It's a story that has been around since the 1700's. It has been told and retold countless times since its inception and has never lost it's enchantment. Several varying versions of the tale over the years have been produced in the form of prose, stage, and in the twentieth century, screen and television. Its most notable rebirth came in 1991 when Walt Disney Feature Animation produced a musical animated film based on an abridgement of the original work published in 1756 by Jeanne-Marie Le Prince de Beaumont. It was entitled "Beauty and the Beast".

"Beauty and the Beast", the musical animated film, won Academy Awards for Best Song and Best Original Score, in addition to becoming the first animated film to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture and and also won the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture-Musical or Comedy. Adding to its success was the musical version produced in 1994, which ran on Broadway for 5,464 performances between 1994 and 2007, becoming one of Broadway's longest running productions in history. It has been topped only by the likes of "Cats", "Les Misérables", "A Chorus Line", "Chicago", "Oh! Calcutta!", and another Disney production, "The Lion King". The longest running musical ever is "The Phantom of the Opera".

I have had the opportunity to see five of those Broadway shows at the historic Cleveland Playhouse Square, including the Phantom of the Opera at the famous Plantages Theater in Toronto, Ontario. They are all worth the money you pay for the tickets and then some. Residents in the Lowcountry of Charleston will have the opportunity to be enchanted and mystified by this timeless tale of "Beauty and the Beast" at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center. Two performances are scheduled for April 26 and 27 at 7:30 PM. Tickets are $62.00, $52.00, & $32.00 plus applicable fees. You can buy tickets now.

So, take the family, take the wife, or just take a friend and be enchanted by "the most beautiful love story ever told". This eye-popping spectacle has won the hearts of over 35 million people worldwide and will win your heart too. Coutesy of Vacation Rick Travel.

Charleston's April Events Continue-A Full Line Of Family Fun

There was a festival scheduled this past week that was dedicated to the lowly yet very common "grits". Yes, the gritty stuff, when added to water or milk, that turns into a sticky, clumpy pile of goop and dries like cement if the remains are left in the bowl to long. It was called The World Grit Festival and held in St. George. It seems people will come up with anything for an excuse to party. If by chance you missed out on the fun, not to worry, there are more scheduled events in the Charleston area. Plus, things are beginning to warm up nicely and the numerous beaches are now an option.

The Festival of Houses and Gardens will be coming to a conclusion this week. The final Glorious Gardens Tour has sold out as well as the South Battery Tour for Wednsday, but there is still availability for the final South Battery Tour on Saturday the 16th. Fun for the whole family is the Festival Oyster Roast and Picnic at Drayton Hall on Sunday April 15, 4:30 - 7 p.m. This event will introduce guests to the culinary pleasures of the Lowcountry with steamed oysters as appetizers, along with other Southern cuisine. Admission includes a guided tour of the historic house and grounds. Drayton Hall was built when George Washington was only six years old. How's that for an introduction.

It's spring. Time to spruce up the house and landscaping. Thank goodness a government shutdown was avoided because that would have meant tax refunds being delayed and all that extra money you could use for that very purpose. To help you out with some good ideas and suggestions the Home and Outdoor Living Show will take place at the Charleston Area Convention Center April 15-17. Friday is free admission for everybody. Saturday and Sunday admission will be $5.00 for adults. There is also a Home Sweet Home Improvement Giveaway.

If the theater is your cup of tea then check out the Dockstreet Theater. The Original Peter Pan will begin showing April 15. The production will feature Flying by Foy, who flew Peter Pan on Broadway, five full sets, including a pirate ship. The story of Peter Pan is timeless and entertaining for the whole family.

That's it. Well, not entirely. There are plenty of things to do in Charleston, plenty of excellent places to eat. Beaches, tours, museums, harbor cruises, golf, and shopping. Get your mojo on and get moving.-Vacation Rick Travel

Charleston Place-Inspired The Holy City To New Heights

It's hard to imagine some thirty years ago an Atlanta magazine wrote this unflattering sentence about The Holy City, "Downtown Charleston, in many ways, epitomizes the decaying American city." Joe Riley, the mayor at the time, likened the downtown area to a poisoned ecosystem. The Historic District was anything but historic and King Street was a realestate of empty storefronts. Pedestrian traffic was scarce. Tourists were rare.

Something needed to happen to rekindle the historical flame that once burned in Charleston. It would be one single initiative that set in motion the beginning of a revival and Charleston was on her way to being restored to her former glory. The brainstorm was the envisionment of what would become Charleston Place. It was said, "I hate to use the cliche that the hotel put Charleston on the map, but it's certainly accurate." Charleston Place rose from a huge, sandy lot where a JCPenney once stood.

Charleston Place, known for its traditional southern hospitality, sits on Market Street where the entrance to the property is marked by a fountain. The Hotel has 320 deluxe rooms, 80 Club level, which occupies the top two floors and offers a private concierge service along with a wide array of enhanced services, amenities and cuisine. There are 40 suites.

The Spa at Charleston Place, located on the 4th floor, is available by appointment to local visitors and guests. Amenities are a health club, a beautiful indoor/outdoor salt water pool, sauna, Jacuzzi, steam room and children's splash pool. Charleston Grill is South Carolina’s most notable Mobil Four-Star restaurant and has received the AAA Four-Diamond award and Distinguished Restaurants of North America Award. On the lighter side is The Thoroughbread Club and Palmetto Cafe.

Top to bottom, the hotel complex has it all. The Shops at Charleston Place are an exclusive collection of world-famous stores located on the ground floor and a pool graces the rooftop. Adjacent to the Old City Market and the renowned King Street, it is situated at the heart of a local economy that considers tourism as its No. 1 industry. All within walking distance of the historic center of the city and major attractions.

Charleston continues to grow and change. In the six years I have been here, I have seen two old icons come down and the Author Ravenel Jr Bridge take their place. It has a vibrant theater scene and an endless list of fine dining establishments. It is well-known across the United States and beyond for its unique culture, which blends traditional southern American, English, French, and West African elements. So, let Charleston Place be your host and guide to all of this and more.-Vacation Rick Ttravel