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Miss Rhythm: The Legend of Ruth Brown

Stages Theater 

From August to October, Stages Theater in Houston is debeauting Miss Rhythm: The Legend of Ruth Brown.  This story of the life and music of Ruth Brown is energetic, moving and memorable.  She was a trailblazer and a strong woman who endured much as she sang her way through the various seasons and challenges of her life.

Ruth Brown was a legend in her time.  She is credited with making a significant and historic contribution to rhythm and blues music and giving Atlantic Records its start.  

Her music is upbeat, soulful and heartfelt.  Acclaimed actress Sheryl McCallum delivers a compelling performance of Ruth Brown’s music and story, featuring many of her most popular hits.

She is accompanied by a stellar band who puts on a great musical performance and whose members are also surprise actors in the show! They are very convincing in their roles!  

When you step into Stages Theater for this performance, you feel as if you are going back in time to a blues lounge during the entire show.  We highly recommend it for anyone who wants to be inspired by the life and times of a legendary rhythm and blues singer. 

Get tickets and find out more at https://stageshouston.com/event/miss-rhythm-the-legend-of-ruth-brown/.  

The Little Mermaid at The Houston Ballet

The Houston Ballet presents The Little Mermaid at Wortham Theater from September 6-15, 2024.

This rendition of The Little Mermaid is NOT the Disney story, nor is it geared toward children.  Rather, it is a ballet that contains themes of love and despondence, and a mermaid who wallows her life away in longing for unrequited love.  The music, costumes, set and dances convey a deep, haunting ocean underworld and a discordant human world as well where the desire to fulfill one’s love longings is never met by the mermaid..

So as you might imagine, it is a very different version of The Little Mermaid.  The ballet is dedicated to the Queen of Denmark.  

In usual Houston Ballet style, it is performed with high-level professionalism and intensity of expression. 

Find out more at houstonballet.org.

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL SONGBLAZERS

“Mesmerizing!”- Best Rated Reviews

Songblazers, by Cirque du Soleil, is one of the most memorable, “best of the best” tributes to Country Music on the creative stage.  If we could sum it up in one word, we would say it is “mesmerizing”!

Cirque du Soleil performers debut first-rate talent and entertainment in their compelling performance of Songblazers, an iconic tribute to Country Music.  Featuring some of Country’s most memorable scores and songs, Cirque du Soleil artists defy the imagination with their spellbinding acrobatic feats combined with Country Music classics as well as blue grass.  We found the entire experience of Songblazers to be enthralling.  

The pre-show captivates audiences by inviting audience members into the jovial world of the County Fair.  The audience experiences the fun of competing in a yodeling contest, chicken-clucking, and musical abilities.  

The dynamic between Cirque du Soleil and  Country Western music is absolutely phenomenal.  Initially, we did not know what to expect.  We wondered how Cirque du Soleil and Country Music could possibly go together  To our surprise and delight, just as always, it was mind-defying in the most wonderful of ways in true Cirque style!

We were spellbound by the amazing jump rope artists – who jump rope inside a jump rope inside a jump rope and other acrobatic feats.  (Yes!  You read that right!)

We marveled at the way a railroad crossing arm became a balance beam where a glamorous woman did triple summersaults in mid-air to Country-western music!

The gymnast who performed the hoop act was graceful and lovely as a dove.

We also found the clown acts to be truly entertaining!  They were filled with both candid and jesting moments of hilarity, but yet again to a backdrop of a Country-Western world, such as a rail road crossing and train, the Grand Ole Opry, and a night under the stars singing and songwriting.  There were several acts to follow, including a mind-defying Solo cup juggling act.  

The show even features native Texans, including Wayne Wilson, the Associate Show Director and Comedic Concept Designer – Train Brakeman, Clown (from Houston, TX) as well as Ellen Melissa-Story, Band – Fiddler & Vocalist and Allora Leonard, Ranch Girl, Vocalist & Guitar.

We highly recommend Songblazers.  It truly is a trailblazing show in and of itself both for Cirque and in the entertainment and arts industry at large.  There is nothing like it.  It is fan experience you will find yourself thinking back on for years to come.  

Rating: 5 Stars! “Best of the best!”

Find out more here

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Maison Mouton

If you are looking for a bed and breakfast in Lafayette, LA that offers a memorable stay, we highly recommend Maison Mouton.

Founded in 1820, Maison Mouton preserves the enchanting allure of its day.    Each room is quaintly decorated with authentic furnishings.  We enjoyed a stay in the Eiffel Tower Suite.  Each room has its own charm, but we found the Eiffel Tower Suite to be especially memorable.  

The next morning, we ate a scrumptious breakfast of eggs, sausage, and homemade blueberry pancakes with Louisiana cane syrup, fruit and orange juice prepared by Maison Mouton’s executive chef.

A 300-year-old Magnolia, Louisiana’s historic, official state tree, resides on the property.  

The venue offers live music, an informative home tour, and offers a window into what life throughout the years and centuries would have been like both then and now.  

Find out more at Moutonplantation.com

Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park

Gulfarium Sea Turtle Release at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. Photo by Mandy Seymour, Best Rated Reviews

If you are looking for a fun, conservation-centered marine life experience for the whole family, we recommend Gulfarium.  The Gulfarium is located between Pensacola, Florida and Destin, Florida (closer to Destin).  It is a historic marine park which claims to be the first aquatic facility to feature a huge glass-wall-viewing aquarium.  

The Gulfarium is conscientiously committed to conservation and features many exhibits which are devoted to marine life rehabilitation.  The Gulfarium  is home to dolphins, sharks, stingrays, an albino alligator, sea otters, sea lions, seals, penguins, and sea turtles.  Most of the animal presentations are focused on conservation much more than entertainment.  And the animal trainers and keepers often work diligently behind the scenes to care for the animals with invested interest in their rehabilitation.  

The Gulfarium offers animal interactions and encounters.  However, they are very brief and minimally interactive.  Their greater strength is in their commitment to conservation.  

We were fortunate to get to see 7 sea turtles being rehabilitated in their care the day we visited.  The next day, the Gulfarium rehabilitation specialists released the 7 sea turtles into the ocean at a local state park and we were fortunate to get to be a part of it!

When they released the sea turtles into the ocean, each turtle had a different response.  One walked slowly toward the ocean, another walked toward the ocean and then turned around! Another hesitated to go into the ocean at all!  But once they arrived at the ocean, they swam to their freedom and the crowd cheered!  It was a glorious sight to behold!

Soon, they will welcome Manatees as they expand their conservation efforts to help save the Manatees.

Find out more about The Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park at Gulfarium.com.

Best of The Best: Big Bend, Texas

Best of The Best: Big Bend, Texas by Mandy Seymour

If you are looking to enjoy a wilderness camping and hiking trek to the Texas frontier, we recommend visiting Big Bend.  

If driving from Houston, we recommend the following route: Houston to San Antonio, Texas to  Marfa, Marfa to Prada-Marfa, Marfa to Big Bend Ranch State Park, Big Bend Ranch State Park to Big Bend National Park, Big Bend National Park to Enchanted Rock State Park and Trois Estate near Fredricksberg, Texas and Fredericksburg, TX to Houston, TX.  This route will add an extra hour to your itinerary at the end but it is well worth it!

San Antonio, Texas

A visit to San Antonio, Texas offers a festive and iconic gateway to West Texas and gets the trip off to a great start.  We recommend visiting The Riverwalk, The Historic Market Square, and eating at Mi Tierra.  Mi Tierra is a delicious Mexican restaurant offering scrumptious fare in a colorful and vibrant setting.

Marfa, Texas

Marfa, Texas is a Texas frontier town which is both historic and artsy.  Maria’s courthouse is a stately building in the center of town. Hotel Paisano is an iconic hotel which features a memorable restaurant, gift shop and the setting for the movie Giant.  The hotel has a stately heir and is fairly expensive.  On the other extreme, campers may stay at El Cosmico for $30/night.  We visited El Cosmico and found the actual campground and facilities are presented as clean, freshly painted and bursting with excitement but during our actual in-person visit, El Cosmico was dingy, run down, and not what it seems.  The staff was not hospitable, friendly or even faintly welcoming.  We did enjoy the hot coffee and warm fire in the lobby in the morning.  But we do not recommend a stay at El Cosmico.  Although marketed as a magical and enchanting place, it is not.  And even more concerningly, it lacks virtue and is not a venue we would recommend.

Prada Marfa

Prada Marfa is a contemporary art statement 30 miles outside of Marfa, Texas near Valentine, Texas.  Artists built this artwork project to make a statement against consumerism.  But due to instagram-worthy places, it has become an internet sensation.  You will drive through remote wilderness to get there.  But a visit is worth it because it’s an unusual, stand-alone experience that adds to the uniqueness of your frontier wilderness experience.

Big Bend Ranch State Park

We visited both Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park.  We enjoyed both greatly and recommend visiting both.  We highly recommend starting with a visit to Big Bend Ranch State Park.  It is an unfettered wilderness with austere, daunting mountains, a wide and expansive terrain, scenic drive, and desert-frontier wilderness solitude.  It is more remote and less developed than Big Bend National Park.  That is part of its appeal.

We stayed at the Grassy Banks Campground which has primitive campsites located on desert sand hemmed in by a mountain range.  The terrain is isolated, quiet and offers a great place to view the stars.  We enjoyed walking through the soft sand and experiencing the stillness and wonder of this remote area.  It was one of our most favorite campgrounds because it is what we most imagined Big Bend would be like.

When traveling from Marfa, Texas to Big Bend Ranch State Park, we recommend stopping in Presidio for a meal at The Bean Cafe.  The Bean Cafe serves authentic Mexican food that is local to the region.  They have delicious horchata, cheese enchiladas, Chile rellenos, and tres leches.  The owners and waitstaff are some of the most hospitable and friendliest, most welcoming people we met on our entire wilderness trek.  We look forward to eating there again when we are passing through.

En route to the campsite, there are several exquisite hikes such as the Hoodoo trail.  They are worth a visit.

Big Bend National Park

Big Bend National Park is a vast wilderness where the Rio Grande runs wild and free and is federally protected.  This park features the Rio Grande at its best.  In some other towns along the Texas-Mexican border, the Rio Grande is fairly muddy and wide.  Here, it is clearer, calmer and extremely scenic and peaceful (on a dry day, although things can change when flooding occurs).  

We visited three of the park’s main areas: Rio Grande Village, Cottonwood Campground, and the Chisos Mountains.  We also enjoyed a dip in the hot springs (105 degrees) and a swim in the river there.  

Rio Grande Village

Rio Grande Village is an enchanting campground where campers and local animals coexist on the campground, including free-ranging cattle and packs of javalena.  Cattle and javalena happily grazed right next to our tents.  We enjoyed a guided nature hike which we found helpful to acquaint us with the area.  While we were on the hike, we heard a bobcat capture its prey and we saw Mexican horses and vaqueros riding across the park.  Rio Grande Village’s nature trail leads to an embankment which offers a view across the Rio Grande and also Boquillos.  It is a great place to view the stars at night and to also capture photos of the iconic Rio Grande at sunset.

Rio Grande Village has a grocery store where you can get gas, a larger selection of souvenirs than elsewhere in the park, and various basic amenities.  The visitor center is nearby as well.

Cottonwood Campground

Cottonwood Campground is open seasonally.  It is on the west side of the park and is 7 miles from the Santa Elena canyon.  It is a quiet campground with less amenities than the Rio Grande Village campground.  We enjoyed the peace and tranquility of looking at the mountains there and having a short drive to the Santa Elena Canyon.  The Cottonwood trees are beautiful and there are pretty yellow-flowering trees as well.  A short drive up the hill, you will find a grocery store and a park office.  The grocery store has some basic and minimal necessities as well as delicious Mexican popsicles.  The park visitor’s center is very small at the Cottonwood Campground.

Chisos Mountains

The Chisos Mountains are definitely worth a visit.  Campsites fill up 6 months in advance and are hard to come by.  There is also a rustic lodge and restaurant.  However, we found that the cost of the lodge is expensive for such basic accommodations and the restaurant is very expensive as well so if you are not camping, your expenses can add up quickly but may not match the value you receive for what you pay.

We recommend hiking the loop (1.8 miles) as it gives an exquisite view of the infamous Window, a view of the distant mountain range hemmed in by two closer mountains and offers a different hiking terrain experience, including local trees, forest, cactus and mountains.  Hiking in Rio Grande Village and Cottonwood Campground is more of a desert land and includes striking canyons and breathtaking views of the vast wilderness.

Regarding choosing a campsite, you will need to pay close attention to whether the site is easily accessible or requires four-wheel drive.  We drove a sedan and found that even the road going to the hot springs was a little rough.  

Enchanted Rock State Park

We recommend driving from Big Bend National Park to Enchanted Rock State Park near Fredericksburg, Texas.  It is well worth a visit and offers a culminating contrast to the previous hiking and camping terrain due to the pink granite rock landscape.  At first when you arrive to the park, the batholith appears to be a large granite dome and you think to yourself, “How interesting can hiking this be?”  But when you get closer, you find that every nook, cranny, crevice, and trail is an adventure in itself and there are many of them so the rock formation is not as plain as it seems.  Camping here offers a very pleasant experience because it is not  dirt-sandy but rather the terrain is made from crushed granite rather than fine sand or mud.  

All of these parks are known as dark sky parks, recommended places to see the stars with greater viewing than in cities or towns.  Over the years, we have found this classification is helpful but not always precise, as in some places there is still a haze of light from neighboring cities or RVs or campers themselves.  But most campers try to abide by the dark sky advisory rules, such as using a red flashlight instead of a white one and turning off lights at a certain hour.

Trois Estate

If you are looking for a luxurious place to have a final night to culminate your frontier adventure, we recommend Trois Estate.  Trois Estate offers several accommodations and lodging with West-Texas flair combined with a New Mexico pink adobe feel.  The estate’s owner, Rebecca Trois, is the consummate hostess and receives many repeat visitors who eagerly anticipate a stay here. Trois Estate hosts a dinner buffet and breakfast buffet.  In addition to an outdoor swimming pool and a unique indoor grotto pool and chapel, the estate has a viewing platform where you can enjoy looking at Enchanted Rock or stargazing or reading in the tranquility of this peaceful and restorative place.

Enchanted Rock and Trois Estate are located near Fredericksburg, Texas.  Fredericksburg, Texas is a small Texas town worth a visit.  The downtown area has many shops, some restaurants and a West-Texas/German feel to it.  

Houston, Texas

It takes about 6 hours to get back to Houston, Texas from Fredericksburg, Texas

Big Bend is Texas’ wild wilderness and border frontier.  In our experience, it was a pristine, safe and family-friendly wilderness.  

When we did our initial research for this wilderness expedition, I asked a park ranger at Big Bend Ranch State Park if they have many issues with migrant traffic or cartels.  She said they do not because the mountain range is a daunting 8,000 feet above sea level, so it is an inhospitable route for anyone wanting to cross.

We saw Mexican residents who lived in the town of Boquillos cross back and forth several times on horseback to round up their horses who were grazing in the National Park.  Mexican nationals sell handicrafts and homemade Mexican food along the National Park trails which are available for purchase.  The National Park Rangers explained to us that the border is a place of commingling of cultures and nations at Big Bend who are trying to protect the resources of the area with an alliance between two amazing nations.

Cypress Valley

If you are looking for a “best of the best” place to stay during the Winter in the Texas Hill Country area, we recommend the Yoki Treehouse at Cypress Valley.

The Yoki Treehouse is a spa-like modern-chic cabin in a rustic setting.  It is magical, enchanting and tranquility among the trees!

We especially enjoyed our stay in the Yoki Treehouse at Cypress Valley because it was spa-serene.  We awoke to birds singing and enjoyed delicious locally roasted Cuvée coffee on the treehouse balcony.  We relaxed and rejuvenated inside the high-ceiling livingroom on a comfortable couch in front of a gas fireplace looking out at the clear water creek below.  

We luxuriated in a great night’s sleep in the king-sized bedroom with cozy, soft sheets, comfort bedding and  gigantic bison portrait overhead.

When we saw the room photos and amenities online before our stay, we were intrigued why the lodge chose a bison theme in the room.  It turns out that the family actually has raised a herd of bison for many years and they are on property.  Currently the family has 13 bison and even bison babies in the Springtime.  You may get to see them occasionally when they are grazing near the fence on the 100 acre woodland.

We enjoyed a wonderful stay, prized quality time, and the rejuvenation of nature.  Each room is filed with aromatherapy which immediately gave us a sense of being in a spa overnight.  

The bathhouse is across a sturdy trundle bridge.  It is a serene spa in itself, featuring a therapeutic cedar infused environment with a natural stone heated soaking pool which looks out on the trees.

Once we nestled in, we didn’t want to leave.  It’s a place you wish you could stay for days.  It is definitely best of the best.  We look forward to our stay here again!

The property also hosts a wedding and events venue which is mesmerizing, magical and special against a natural backdrop.

Guests may also stay at the glamping village in tents that are fully furnished.  The family has provided a truly glamping-luxurious bathroom with substantial, clean and refreshing shower and bath accommodations.

We highly recommend Cypress Valley as the “best of the best” for any Winter wilderness experience you are looking for.  It is especially known for its natural, verdant beauty in the Spring, Summer and Fall when the leaves are on the trees.  It is a wonderful place for any time and any occasion.

Please let us know when you visit.  We hope you enjoy your stay as much as we did!

Mandy and the team at Best Rated Reviews

Website: https://www.cypressvalley.com/

Christmas in Historic Montgomery

Christmas in Historic Montgomery is a festive and memorable holiday event for the whole family!  Each year in December, The Montgomery Historical Society hosts Christmas in Historic Montgomery to showcase the magnificent history and heritage of this wonderful town.

The day begins with the Christmas Parade in the morning.  In 2023, the city focused on the “Twelve Days of Christmas”.  Citizens made colorful floats, marching bands played jubilant music, and many local people, groups, and students participated.

The Montgomery Historical Society hosts the holiday marketplace, annual cookie walk, and candlelight tour throughout the day.

The holiday marketplace features 70 venders who display unique and commemorative arts and crafts.  It is a great place to do some holiday shopping and find one-of-a-kind gifts!  

The Monarch chapter of the National Charity League hosts the Annual Cookie Walk.  Mothers and daughters bake delicious homemade and ornamentally-decorated cookies for months to prepare for this special day.  The Cookie Walk is held in the community center.  Local residents and visitors wait in a long line in anticipation to get to be among the first to enter this festive cookie wonderland!

While patrons wait for the long-anticipated Cookie Walk to open, they are serenaded by Montgomery’s top talent, The Madrigals.  The Madrigals are students who beautifully sing classic Christmas songs, carols and other holiday music.  Their beautiful voices fill the air and waft across the entire event throughout the morning and early afternoon.

Visitors can enjoy hearty Texan-Southern fare at The Old Montgomery Steakhouse.  Portions are generous and the food is very flavorful.  They have culinary options for all kinds of palates.  We enjoyed chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes and green beans, a delicious Cobb salad, Texas-sized onion rings, and having a glimpse into the watering hole of the community as we dined.

During the day, we learned about the intriguing and impactful history of Montgomery from Dr. Robin Montgomery, one of the area’s leading scholars and a humble yet prominent connection to the rich legacy of the Montgomery family through the years.  Ms. Montgomery is very devoted to history as well.  They both have a twinkle in their eye.  Dr. Montgomery hosted guests that evening at the day’s crowning event, the Historic Homes Candlelight Tour.

Residents open their historic homes which  feature layers and layers of fascinating history.  Locals volunteer and help history come alive by wearing historic attire and sharing captivating stories about the enduring history of Montgomery, Texas, the birthplace of the Texas flag!

The Magnolia House has a very rich history.  Sam Houston stayed there often when he was in town.  The current owner has preserved the integrity of the house as well as many of its substantial furnishings – which were shopped from New York to Galveston in the 1800s and then carried by wagon to Montgomery, Texas.  Yes, the owner, Mr. Willis, purchased an entire household of furniture in New York and had it shipped.

He was a mercantile trader.  He played an instrumental role by establishing Montgomery as a trading post.  Montgomery is also the birthplace of the Texas Flag.  

December 2023 marked the 46th year of the Candelight Tour and the 33rd year of the Cookie Walk.  

We especially enjoyed visiting Montgomery, Texas because life here reminded us of a nostalgic era of times gone by when people took time to stop and talk to one another, enjoy their community, friends, and work with more depth while at the same time having a more relaxed pace, less stress, but still leading a highly successful and productive life.  In short, we really enjoyed the pace of life and the candor of the people of Montgomery.  And if you are looking to buy gifts for loved ones this holiday season, Montgomery has antique stores, clothing stores, and giftware in addition to great people!

We highly recommend a visit to Montgomery, Texas during the Historic Christmas in Montgomery or any time throughout the year, really. We are thankful for the volunteers and many others who make this day a day to remember!

Montgomery, Texas is only a 1-hour drive from Houston, Texas and makes a great day trip or staycation!

Rating: 5 Stars!  Best of the best!

Find out more at https://www.mhs-tx.org.

Cinderella with Theater Under The Stars

If you are looking for an enchanted evening during the holidays, we recommend Cinderella.  Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella, presented by Theater Under The Stars.  

Cinderella is portrayed by Brianna Kaleen. The Prince ( Christopher) is portrayed by Jason Schmidt. The cast sings, dances and acts in a masterful production featuring top talent.  If you are looking for a family-friendly event during the holidays, we recommend Cinderella. 

Cinderella as a musical features many dazzling musical numbers.  We especially enjoyed and were moved by, “Do I Love You Because You’re Beautiful?”  The prince and Cinderella take turns singing, “Do I love you because you’re beautiful?  Or are you beautiful because I love you?”  

We especially enjoy when a musical or other performance focuses on deep, beautiful and profound moments and questions to ponder like these.  They make our hearts sing!  And say, “Awwwww!” That is the beauty of Cinderella.  It is truly a story that anyone can relate to and dream of.  Theatre Under The Stars puts on a masterful production in their 2023-2024 season.

Cinderella takes place at The Hobby Center, which offers an elegant and memorable experience all its own.  Theater patrons can enjoy concessions in the lobby before and during the show.  The theater goers who attend are friendly, enthusiastic and upbeat, so it makes for a very enjoyable evening! The Hobby Center also has easy, ample parking.

To find out more, visit tuts.com.

The Nutcracker Ballet In Houston, Texas

The Nutcracker Ballet in Houston, Texas by the Houston Ballet will enchant and delight the whole family for years to come!  Houston Ballet’s annual performance of The Nutcracker Ballet is one of the most dazzling, magical versions of The Nutcracker you will ever see!    

To start your evening off in magical wonder, you can catch a lighted carriage ride in Downtown Houston.  When you arrive inside The Wortham Center, you can take a classic family holiday photo in front of one of the tallest, most bedazzled Christmas trees in Houston.

The Wortham Center lobby is filled with all kinds of memorable souvenirs and also hosts a gourmet pasta and salad dining experience before the show.  Patrons can also enjoy champagne and desserts while they wait.

The Wortham Theater stage is decorated in the finest regalia of the year. A beautiful golden frame filled with satiated cherubs adorns the stage around the stately red curtain.  

When the Houston Ballet Orchestra plays the first notes, the audience is hushed in awe of the glorious splendor of Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece.  Clara, masterfully played by Monica Gomez, delivers a first-rate performance.  The Nutcracker Prince, regally played by Connor Walsh, enchants every heart!  Aoi Fujiwara dances beautifully as the Sugar Plum Fairy.

Clara and The Sugar Plum Fairy make every little girl want to become a ballerina by their spellbinding performances!  

The orchestra plays the perfect rendition of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker.  The costumes and the set are both magical and memorable as well!  And the entire cast in The Nutcracker presented by Houston Ballet is truly the “best of the best!”

We especially enjoyed the enthralling Spanish, Arabian, Chinese, Russian, Danish, English and French dances in Act II.  At one point during the performance, snow falls from the ceiling and sparkle confetti showers the audience at the end!

Rating: 5 Stars!  Absolutely “best of the best!”

Website: Houstonballet.org