I hesitate to even suggest this now that the weather has turned warmer...but it is unavoidable. All St. Louisans should make it a point to take a trip to our city's treasure, Forest Park, for the Shakespeare Festival.
Now, I understand that we aren't all literature buffs...but it matters not. Even those who have never meandered through the pages of Romeo and Juliet will enjoy this summer's show "Shrew". The brightly colored set, reminiscent of the 60's, screams Elvis and peanut butter banana sandwiches.
To start, plan ahead. The show is at 8 p.m. nightly through late June but I recommend arriving to secure a spot by 6:30. This is the time of the first "green show." I love the green show....it's a 20-30 minute synopsis of the story. So, when your kids are whining about "Shake-who" just know that if you expose them to only the green show you can say that you tried. It will also run again at 7:30.
My family has this type of thing down to a science...and it's such an easy one to master. This is where the little red wagon comes in handy. Ice down your drink of choice, pack foods that your kids will find to be a treat (for example, peel n' eat shrimp, speciality dips, cheese trays) and head out. If you have two drivers for your car, pull up beside the picnic area and jump out (pray for patience for the person in the car behind you). Have the driver park the car and save everyone else the hassle of walking and toting and pulling all of the paraphernalia. Soccer chairs are recommended as you can pick your seating and spread out. Blankets and maybe a pillow are always fun. My kids take a frisbee, ballgloves and a ball, etc. When not snacking on their favorites munchies, they find an open area away from the crowd to enjoy the beautiful weather and expend some of their extra energy. By the time the show starts at 8, they are ready for a little rest and relaxation...even if it does involve a dead guy whose writings they have yet to read.
If you have managed to become an empty nester or are someone that never had children, just know that this can be quite a romantic date night. Following the show, the fountains in the Grand Basin are lit and this is a great time to take a romantic stroll. It's not Italy but it is as close as most of us are going to get any time soon. So, why not make the most of it and pretend.
St. Louis is known for being a city that offers lots of free attractions and this is one of them. Shame on you if you pass up this opportunity to be a part of the community at large, enjoy Forest Park and brush up on your literature at the same time. Enjoy!
As a part-time adjunct faculty member at STLCC and a
part-time business manager for Evren Senol Realty Group with RE/MAX Results, I
find myself going from one extreme to the other…all in the same day. I get my kids up for school, prepare
breakfast and lunches, send everyone including the husband out the door and at
that point….focus on my own agenda.
Sometimes it is in the classroom and sometimes in the real estate
office. Just thinking about it is sometimes
exhausting.
My college students are often heard saying ”St. Louis is so
boring, there is nothing to do here.”
They also say things like “Chicago is so awesome. There is always something going on.”
This blog is being established to prove all the “St. Louis
naysayers” wrong. St. Louis is a great
place to live…not because I live here…not because I work in real estate and
want to sell you a home here….because it is.
Welcome to the Midwest, where families can still exist and maintain some
semblance of a “Brady Bunch” existence if they want. If you are family oriented, determined to
make the most of the time you have with your family, this blog is for you.
Memorial Day weekend….read my lips, Gypsy Caravan. Don’t you find it ironic that if one of your
kids has to use an older brother or sister’s bike or skateboard they are appalled. They want their own; something new that was
never anyone else’s. However, take them to a garage sale and they
insist on buying a used bike or skateboard for $2. The Gypsy Caravan is not only a St. Louis
tradition, it is a great opportunity to give your kid $10 and let them “go
wild”. There is lots of bonding time as
you walk around and talk about the many possibilities of things to
purchase. The kids begin to understand
the value of money, the power it can wield, learn some negotiating strategies
and simple economic lessons such as supply and demand. At that same time you are supporting the St.
Louis Symphony Orchestra…one of the things that makes St. Louis a great place
to live. Remember, when they are
ranking cities in those “best places to live polls” one of the many things that
they consider are the arts. You now have
the opportunity to expose your kids to something new and support the arts. Just beware…if your kids have a great time,
you are likely to set in motion a Memorial Day tradition for your family.
Please share with me your experiences as you
meander about St. Louis…making memories with your family and friends.