Hanapepe Art Night Appeals to the Senses

Do you believe in magic? The spirit of the season was alive with festivities in the quaint little town of Hanapepe, Kauai, where music and art thrive. Despite the late afternoon downpour that left scattered puddles along the weather beaten pot-holed street, the aromas of sweet and salty, grilled and spicy foods hung in the air. Without a doubt, sampling and tasting island favorites was going to be the buzz of the night. No worries, challenge accepted. Twinkling lights were strung from rooftop to rafter setting the tone for glee and laughter. While strolling along, with hardly a clue, above the town a shooting star left a streak of light that was nothing short of amazing. Suddenly, as if on cue, distant music began to captivate the crowds. Like a moth to flame, people emerged from the shadows to witness Kimberly Hope McDonough as she eloquently performed a medley of classical-crossover music on an electric violin. Effortlessly, she flowed from progressive Michael Jackson tunes to a classical Phantom of the Opera ensemble as well as a Charlie Daniels Americana favorite. Cheers and applause closed the performance. Without a doubt, the joy of Christmas is alive and well in “Kauai’s Biggest Little Town.”

Dining Outside the Home: Wild Bill’s Legendary Saloon in Banff, Canada 

Dining Outside the Home: Wild Bill’s Legendary Saloon in Banff, Canada! Climb the stairs to the second level for a wide-open Wild West experience complete with smokehouse menu, grizzly bear wi-fi, and mechanical bull. The windows are flung open wide to the alpine view beyond. If you’re lucky, you may snag a couple bar stools on the private balcony perched for people-watching on Main Street below. The chuck wagon sandwiches include fresh elk burgers and lean bison burgers. When you want to gather with friends, dance the night away, sing like you’re a country music star, Wild Bill’s Legendary Saloon offers night life that never sleeps. 

Dining Outside the Home: Carpenter Creek Cellars in Remington, Indiana

Dining Outside the Home: Carpenter Creek Cellars in Remington, Indiana! Carpenter Creek Cellars’ Music Fest is where you find children frolicking on the lawn, against a backdrop of adults sipping Strawberry Wine, guitar music filling the air, and the aromas of BBQ pork smoking on the grill. Life stands still against the rambling brook running along the fence-rowed vineyard in Jasper County, Indiana. 

Dining Outside the Home: Sevens Restaurant and Steakhouse in Clear Lake, Iowa!

Dining Outside the Home: Sevens Restaurant and Steakhouse in Clear Lake, Iowa! In a town that became famous over a tragic event—a plane crash that claimed the lives of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and JP “The Big Bopper” Richardson in 1959—everyone pulled themselves up by the bootstraps and dedicated a monument to these great musicians. Still known as the town where “The Day the Music Died”, Main Street has been revitalized and cultivated as a hub for tourism, art, and music transforming it into an appealing and popular vacation destination. Sevens Restaurant and Steakhouse is a full menu eatery that offers one more reason to stop by. A few steps from one of the biggest lakes in northern Iowa, Sevens makes summer-at-the-lake a memorable and delicious experience. 

Visit Boston’s Theater District 

Boston’s Theater District Brings Entertainment Up Close and Personal!  If you appreciate any form of live entertainment, you can find it in Boston’s Theater District. The architecture alone is a marvel. Notice Greek Revival and Spanish Baroque-style as well as Italianate designs. One can almost get a crook in the neck from gazing upward at historical landmarks along Tremont and Washington Street. Around every corner is an opportunity to experience talent at its best. Marquees boast exclusive shows in addition to old favorites. Comedy shows? Absolutely. Broadway musicals? Of course. Opera? Indubitably. Dance? Without exception. When the mood strikes, take a walk in thriving downtown Boston. The choices for outstanding theater are endless. 

Dining Outside the Home: Cabo Wabo Cantina in Las Vegas, Nevada 

Dining Outside the Home: Cabo Wabo Cantina in Las Vegas, Nevada! Walking by the Cabo Wabo Cantina on Las Vegas Boulevard is NOT an option. The outdoor patio is an all-day blowout that cannot be ignored. Red umbrellas mark the spot where music is rocking! Never mind that people are laughing, playing air-guitar, and drinking tequila cocktails popular at the beach, this is the best party going on. A Mexican cuisine-based menu mimics the obvious choice for Sammy Hagar, who has been known to pull an all-nighter in the sleepy little town of Cabo San Lucas. Day or night, when you’re in Vegas, make a stop at the perfect playground. 

Dining Outside the Home: Mariachi’s Authentic Mexican Cuisine in Lihue, Kauai 

Dining Outside the Home: Mariachi’s Authentic Mexican Cuisine in Lihue, Kauai. As the sun dips slowly behind the shadowy mountain range, the view of Kalipaki Bay from this open-air restaurant is picture perfect. Window boxes and hanging baskets border the ledge with a color wheel of annuals. The sound of sizzling fajitas and acoustic guitar envelope the night as conversation becomes relaxed and margaritas flow. Age old recipes from all over Mexico plus family tradition combine to offer a diverse menu with authentic specialties. Olé!