The Broadway Musical That Is "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious"-Now In Charleston

"Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious! Even though the sound of it is something quite atrosicous! If you say it loud enough, you'll always sound precocious." Who could forget a word like that? For as long as it is, it is a simple word to repeat. Then there was "A spoon full of sugar makes the medicine go down."

Everyone remembers "Mary Poppins." She was the "Harry Potter" of the 1960's. Although, she did'nt fly around on broomsticks at the speed of sound waving a wand with magical powers. She floated around on a magical umbrella helping children everywhere when they were most in need and singing happy songs. Because Mary was "Practically perfect in every way."

"Mary Poppins" was a 1964 musical film starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke, produced by Walt Disney. It won the Academy Award for Best Actress and the film also won Oscars for Best Film Editing, Original Music Score, Best Song, Best Visual Effects, and received a total of 13 nominations. The movie was based on the Mary Poppins books series by P. L. Travers with illustrations by Mary Shepard.

As with all movies, the storyline sometimes goes alittle different than the book. In the movie, Mary was not only firm, but kind and gentle as well. In the book the character was strict and pompous. Not quite the kind of lead character you would see in a Disney movie unless you were casting for a cruel step mother or an evil queen with a magical mirror. And definately wouldn't be singing and dancing to "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious". Also, Mary Poppins was George Banks(the children's father) own nanny when he was a child, but was left out of the movie, except for few hints, you would miss it if you aren't paying close attention.

Mary Poppins is now one of the biggest stage musical successes to emerge from London and New York in recent years. It is now appearing at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center for a four-day engagement, February 1 to 4. The New York Post gives it a 4 out of 4 star rating. Variety raved about it saying, "This is the rare touring production that over-delivers on every level." So, gather up the kids and join in the fun. They will forget about Harry Potter, at least for a short time, and will be singing "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious." Tickets and times.

Charleston Parrotheads-The Jimmy Buffet Party Is Coming To Town

It is somewhere between the Port of Indecision and southwest of Disorder, but no parallels of latitude and longitude mark the spot exactly. You don't have to be a navigator to get there. Palm trees provide the camouflage. Ocean breezes bring the seaplanes and sailboats, tourists, and travelers. Passports are not required. This is where it is, but what is it? It is Margaritaville, and the exact physical location can be anywhere you want it to be, for the reason that Margaritaville is purely a state of mind.

This coming February 2nd, a Thursday, that state of mind will be transformed into the North Charleston Coliseum. The Kahoona of the Parrotheads, Jimmy Buffet and the Coral Reefer Band, will breeze into town for a one night party starting at 8 PM. Passports are not required, but a ticket will be essential.

You know when Buffet is around it's going to be a party. His music is catchy and lyrics easy to remember. His songs portray a laid-back, easy going lifestyle with a humorous, carefree outlook towards setbacks and problems. Nothing some booze from a blender, likely a frozen concoction made from tequila, couldn't solve. An "island escapism" kind of state of mind outfitted with flip-flops, shorts, and tank tops. Margaritaville is his signature song and a crowd favorite. Why, you may even see me singing it while on a cruise in the Caribbean. Other crowd pleasers are Cheeseburger in Paradise, Bama Breeze, Fins, Come Monday, A Pirate Looks at Forty, and Volcano.

If you want to get the true feel of Margaritaville, book a stay at Margaritaville Beach Hotel in Pensacola Beach, Florida. The hotel sits on over 800 feet of gulf-front property. An additional 800 feet overlooks the bay. The new beachfront hotel features 'barefoot elegance' with 162 newly appointed guest rooms. It has a poolside tiki bar, LandShark Landing with live entertainment, snacks, beverages and an array of activities including beach ping pong, volleyball, hammocks under the palm trees, and Frank and Lola Love Pensacola Cafe named after "Frank and Lola," a 1982 Jimmy Buffett song. Room prices range from $129-$199. Check out the special packages.

If you are in or plan to visit Myrtle Beach, put Margaritaville Cafe located in Broadway at the Beach on your restaurants to visit list. Great seafood or just try their famous Cheeseburger in Paradise along with the concoction most likely to be offered while your are in Margaritaville. The last time I was there the Stiltwalkers were out entertaining the young ones with their tricks and balloon figure-making skills. Click here for the complete schedule of the Stiltwalkers. After dinner, the restaurant transitions into a swinging nightclub where dancing is a must and live bands perform every night of the week.

There are no hotels or cafes in Charleston, but there is a Margaritaville Store for all the Parrotheads to buy the latest goods. It's located at 282 King Street. To access a complete list of Margaritaville's click destinations.

Where does tequila come from? It is made from the Blue Agave plant. It takes 8-12 years for the plant to reach maturity and ready for harvesting. Tequila is a small town in the valley of Jalisco, Mexico. Who is the largest consumer of tequila? The United States consumes more than Mexico.

Seinfeld Paying Charleston A Visit For Some Lowcountry Laughs

Very few half hour sitcoms have ever grabbed my attention, but there was this one that caught my interest and to this day remains my all-time top favorite. I can watch rerun episodes over and over and still find something to laugh at. That being said, I must be completely forthcoming on my total feelings at this point. When it first began I thought the script was alittle slow and the characters somewhat unbelievable, but after the actors began to meld together as one cohesive group, with their own distinct personalities, I couldn't stop watching. The name of the show was "Seinfeld".

The premise of the sitcom evolved around the idea that life is meaningless. Many of its episodes focused on the minutiae of everyday life, minor or incidental daily happenings that when all is said and done mean absolutely nothing in the grand scheme. Often it is these little minor happenings we find humorous because they are the spontaneous, unscripted part of our lives we don't plan for, requiring nothing more than a knee jerk response from us.

Jerry, Elaine, George, and Kramer were a cross section of our society that displayed qualities we are often repulsed by. Individuals who are at times completely without any moral conscience, superficial in their relationships with other people, often lying about what they do for a living, unappreciative of gifts given to them, rude, inconsiderate, and a host of other social abnormalities. Despite their disturbing behavior, you couldn't help but laugh. We see these quirks in our own acquaintances and if we are honest, in ourselves. I often find myself referring to various episodes when I see something simuliar happen in my own insignificant, mundane, everyday existence and yada, yada, yada, no explanation needed.

Jerry Seinfeld, prior to his popular sitcom, was a successful stand-up comedian and since has returned to his roots. He has written several books, the most notable being "Seinlanguage". He has received numerous awards, all associated with his sitcom. Recently he was hailed as 'the master stand-up comic of his generation' and 'the best comedian of our time' in a Washington Post article by Tom Shales. If you are a Lowcountry Seinfeld fan, he will be appearing at the North Charleston Coliseum Performing Arts Center August 12, time 7:00 PM. You can click on this link for ticket information.

Don't forget American Idol is coming to the North Charleston Coliseum July 20-22. Fun for everyone.

Charleston Will Be Getting Its Idol On

Could the next American Idol be from Charleston? Next month, and that would be July, American Idol is coming to the best town around. The wanna-be's and could-be's will compete for the opportunity to fulfill a dream by securing a spot that would take them to "Hollywood, Baby". Well, for a select few it will be a dream come true, for others a disappointment turned darkest nightmare. Idol fans have seen it season after season, tears of ecstasy  and tears of agony. Thousands will audition, few will be chosen. Keep your expectations reasonable and it could be a once in a lifetime opportunity of fun and the ultimate experience, but never the end of the world. Talent is discovered in many ways.

Charleston has produced outstanding talent before. One Charleston singer/songwriter, who had a dream to sing, has deep roots in the Lowcountry. The performer's family goes back many generations and first gained fame as a lead singer and rhythm guitarist in a rock band founded in 1986 with a fishy name. The band charted six top 40 hits on the Billboard Hot 100. In time the singer went solo and then country. This Charleston performer is described as having a rich baritone voice. The sentimental ballads and bright hooks that are a part of his recordings made this person the most successful African-American country singer since Charley Pride. The band's name was Hootie and the Blowfish, and its lead singer, Darius Rucker. Many of his songs were inspired by his own life experiences.

Rucker’s success in the country music format was recently recognized at the 43rd Annual CMA Awards when he received the Top New Artist title and again with ACM, Teen Choice, and AMA Award nominations. His 2008 Album release, Learn To Live, produced three consecutive No. 1 singles and Top 5 smash, “History In The Making.” His second country album, Charleston, SC 1966, a title which pays tribute to one of Rucker's biggest influences, Radney Foster, includes the multiple-week #1 hit single, "Come Back Song," and his Top 10 single, "This."

The registration for American Idol will occur July 20 and July 21 and auditions will take place July 22 at the North Charleston Coliseum. Potential contestants will be coming from all over South Carolina and no doubt other states, but not only contestants will be coming, their families and supporters will be accompanying them. How does that all add up? Charleston will be rocking that week, heavy with inspiration and perspiration. The beaches will be heating up, the restaurants will be cooking, and the nightlife will be sizzling. It will be an opportunity to see the diversity that is built into this country. Expect the crowd to be predominantly young and ambitious. That's what it is all about, with an emphasis on having a good time. Get your Charleston on, the best town around.

North Charleston Coliseum, 5001 Coliseum Dr, North Charleston. Directions-Charleston map. Looking for things to do? Check out all the articles on my blog.

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 Boat Show And Beauty And The Beast-Family Fun Events And More

It's January in Charleston once again. The weather has been cold, cold, cold. Did you get your "Be A Tourist In Your Own Town" tickets? If you did so, no doubt you are enjoying all the landmarks and points of interest Charleston has to offer at a discount. One event close at hand, that will get you thinking about warmer days, is the 31st Annual Charleston Boat Show at the North Charleston Convention Center. It is scheduled to begin Jan. 21 and will run to Jan. 23.

There will be the usual display of hundreds of boats and motors from top manufacturers, as well as the latest in marine accessories and equipment for the boating and fishing enthusiasts to peruse whether thinking of purchasing or just to dream. A new feature of this years show is the Coastal Fishing Expo presented by Coastal Angler. You will be able to learn tips, tricks and techniques from the premier Lowcountry Fishing Guides in South Carolina. TV’s "Hook the Future" star Don Dingman will be present to host a Kids Fishing Clinic throughout the show. His clinics will inspire and fascinate your kids with an opportunity to win some neat prizes. Everyone likes a good pirate show. Robin Burke of Creative Spark's will be in the new pirate tent putting on a show for the whole family and hosting a craft time for the kids to make some booty. Also present will be South Carolina DNR's Fishing Simulator where you can test your fishing skills. There will be prizes and giveaways. One of the prizes you could win is a 5 night, Carnival Fantasy Cruise from Charleston. So, ship ahoy me hardies and sail on down to the show for some Lowcountry fun.-Tickets

Have you ever seen "Blue Man Group"? I saw them in Las Vegas and it was very entertaining. The way they incorporated paint with percussion. An extravaganza with tremedous special effects and very imaginitive in the implementation of pvc pipe as a musical medium. A show that is reminiscent of "Blue Man Group" and "Cirque du Soleil" is coming to the North Charleston of Performing Arts called "one of the most innovative events of modern times." The Aluminum Show will make a one day stop January 22 at 2 PM and 8 PM. Special effects, creative mechanisms and acrobatic dance, inanimate objects all come to life with energy, emotion and even personality, as silver industrial materials create a luminous and reflective world.-Tickets

Further down the road you will have the opportunity to see one of the most beloved performances on Broadway. Personally, one of my favorite Broadway musicals I had the opportunity to see at Cleveland's Playhouse Square. Disney’s Beauty and the Beast is scheduled to entertain the Lowcountry April 26 and 27 at 7:30 PM each day at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center. Belle, her father Maurice, arrogant local hero Gaston, Cogsworth, Lumiere, Mrs. Potts and Chip, and of course, the Beast will all be on hand to enchant you. Fun for the whole family. Be sure to mark this one down on your calendar.-Tickets

 
Other events of notable interest coming to North Charleston Coliseum and Performing Arts Center and Charleston:
KId Rock, Feb 16 at 3 PM with very special guest Jamey Johnson.-Tickets
Tim McGraw with Special Guests Lady Antebellum and Love & Theft May 13-Tickets
Charleston Wine and Food Festival March 3-6.

Charleston's Cooled Down But Still Hot With Things To Do

Things have cooled down quite nicely in the Holy City this past week, speaking of the weather. Goodbye to the whopping humidity and dripping wet shirts on the golf course. But that's summer in Charles Towne. I wouldn't have it any other way. Now, Fall activities are heating up and there is still plenty to do out there before winter settles in, that is, what southerners call the period of time between December and February and what visiting northerners call a break from the winter. Here is a short list of upcoming events and activities.

Theater and Shows:

Dock Street Theater-Alfred Hitchcock's The 39 Steps October 29 - November 7, 2010. Prices Adult: $34 - $48 Seniors (60+): $32 - $48 Student: $22 - $48

Footlight Theater-"The Lion In Winter" October 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16 at 8pm; October 10 and 17 at 3pm. $25 adults; $22 seniors; $15 students

Footlight Theater Night Series-"The Weir" October 28, 29 30; November 4, 5, 6 at 9 pm. Price ranges $10-$15.

Jeff Dunham at North Charleston Convention Center October 9, Tickets $44.50 Time 8 pm

Disney On Ice: Princess Wishes at North Charleston Convention Center Oct 21, 2010 7:00 pm Thursday, Oct 22, 2010 7:00 am Friday, and Oct 23, 2010 11:00 am, 2:30 pm, 6:30 pm Saturday, Oct 24, 2010 1:30 pm and 5:30 pm. Prices $12.00-$36.00

Music venues:

North Charleston Convention Center Band of Horses Oct 29, 2010 8:00 pm Friday. Price $27.00

The Music Farm-The Gracious Few w/ American Bang Sat., Oct. 9 pm Price $20.00

The Windjammer Isle of Palm-Dave Mason Guitar Legends Southern Tour with Kal David and The Real Deal featuring Lauri Bono October 22, 8 pm Tickets $20.00 in advance, $25 day of show.

Events:

Boone Hall Plantation-30th Annual Taste of Charleston Oct 8-10, 2010 10:30 am

Folly Beach Challenge Date: 10/16/2010 - 10/17/2010 Where: Folly Beach County Park What is it: The 2nd Annual Folly Beach Challenge is an off-road triathlon featuring paddling, biking, and running.

South Carolina Aquarium-Scary’um Aquarium! Daily, Friday, October 1, 2010 - Sunday, October 31, 2010. Free with general admission or membership.

For a full list: Charleston activities and events

The Wizard Of Oz Coming To Charleston

This family classic is coming to the North Charleston Coliseum Performing Arts Center January 9th and 10th. We have all seen the iconic 1939 MGM film The Wizard of Oz at one time or another and probably countless times through the years. We loved it when we were kids and still love it as adults. "There is no place like home" is a memorable phrase repeated often by many. The movie is colorful and spectacular and this Broadway version is also. This Best of Broadway feature will present all your favorites from start to finish. Re-live the experience of The Wizard of Oz with your family and friends. More information go to The Wizard of Oz.

The North Charleston Coliseum is the largest entertainment venue in the Lowcountry for over ten years with over 7 million visitors. Concerts, sporting events, and family shows arer scheduled every month throughout the year. The Coliseum/Convention Center area is located between International Blvd and Montague Avenue at Interstate 526 in North Charleston, 5001 Coliseum Drive, North Charleston, SC. Vacation Rick Travel