CREATE

Last night, I had the privilege of attending Nevada Ballet Theatre’s Studio Series. An annual event, this performance showcases young dancers-cum-choreographers as they create their own unique pieces, some for the very first time. Highlights of last night’s performance include numbers choreographed to Roberta Flack’s first album, First Take and a brilliant series of pieces danced in complete silence. Each performance, especially the dances in silence, was a breath of fresh air. Artistry such as these are exactly what the dance world needs. Ballet can be, at times, predictable, but with an infusion of a new wave of choreographers, the Nevada Ballet Theatre has given hope to this particular patron and their community.

As the lights went down, I was flooded by the nostalgia of standing on a stage when I was a young girl, anxious to perform but with butterflies in my stomach that could almost lift me away. Performing arts does that to me. It brings me back to a place in my life where creation was tantamount to bliss. These days, I find that feeling when I cook or bake. Whether it’s on a stage on in the kitchen, I encourage all of you to find that special thing in your lives that will allow you to open yourself up to creation. There’s no better feeling than putting something out there in the world that belongs distinctively to you and simultaneously to the world at large.

Nevada Ballet Theatre finds a new home at The Smith Center for Performing Arts, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Visit them at: http://www.nevadaballet.com/

The Happiest Place on Earth

No, I don’t mean Disneyland… I mean, STONE BREWERY in Escondido, California!

For those unfamiliar, Stone Brewery is the very same brewery that brings Arrogant Bastard Ale, to the masses. What most people don’t know is that it is also a top notch restaurant. I was lucky enough to visit this most wonderful establishment this past weekend and let me tell you, the place doesn’t disappoint!

Taking our queue from the whole, “when in Rome”-mentality, my cousin, Mary and I went the route of food tasters. We ordered a plethora of dishes so that we could really take in the food culture that Stone Brewery has brilliantly fostered!

For starters, we tried the homemade hummus….

…and an appetizer isn’t an appetizer without some refreshments…

Then, we got a little, teeny-weeny, carried away when we ordered entrees….

(From Top to Bottom: Chicken Schnitzel, Chicken Tikka Masala, & The famous Buffalo Burger)

…but in our defense, we couldn’t decide and we wanted to make sure we sampled everything… you know, for the people….

Let me tell you, everything was so delicious! From the breading of the schnitzel to the spiciness of the masala and the heartiness of the buffalo burger, the STONE BREWERY is simply outstanding!

And the beer? Well, let’s just say there wasn’t a drop left….

You can find the STONE BREWERY at:

1999 Citracado Pkwy
Escondido, CA 92029

Morning Glory

So a new coffee place opened up near me called GROUCHY JOHN’S. Located on the corner of Maryland Parkway and Wigwam (in Henderson), this mom & pop shop is host to a variety of coffees, teas and baked goods. What sets this place apart from the big chain coffee spots like Starbucks or Peet’s, is the neighborhood feel. When you walk into GROUCHY JOHN’S, big cushy chairs abound and patrons are encouraged to stay a while playing board games or sitting a spell in one of those comfy chairs with a book from their library.

Their coffee is just as home-y… From the Dirty Chai Latte (a chai with a shot of coffee) or the Pumpkin Spice Latte (a real coffee with none of that overly sweet stuff), this girl proclaims that there’s nothing Grouchy about Grouchy John’s coffee.

If you’re in the neighborhood, come check it out!

GROUCHY JOHN’S
8520 S Maryland Pkwy
Las Vegas, NV 89123
grouchyjohns.com