Abberly at West Ashley Blog

If you’re not familiar with Pure Theatre, get yourself acquainted this weekend, because Pure is something special. Audiences don’t just enjoy their performances. They are captivated. “Smart, stimulating theatre.” “This is what acting should be . . . a mind-bending, heart-bursting, beautiful production handled gracefully by PURE Theatre. It will leave you recognizing the power of theatre.” (Charleston City Paper)

Treat yourself to live theatre!

This weekend the amazing small ensemble cast is performing The Fool’s Lear.

A king called Lear surrenders his kingdom to his daughters and what follows is the tragedy of a king. But what becomes of the Fool who follows him? Is he doomed to share his king’s fate? The Fool’s Lear is the rest of the comic and tragic story of King Lear as the Fool helps him on his journey through the wilderness to Dover. Does the Fool belong to the king or does the king belong to a fool? Only a fool would dare to answer such a question. (synopsis from Pure Theatre website)

The Fool’s Lear is running Friday, April 15 at 7:30pm and Saturday, April 16 at 7:30pm. Tickets—available for purchase online–are $25 advance or $30 at the door.

Pure Theatre is located at 477KingStreet—7 miles from Abberly at West Ashley on US-17.

Treat yourself to a night of truly engaging performing arts—“Pure” goodness–tonight or tomorrow at Pure Theatre.

The shot on Fort Sumter 150 years ago that began the Civil War was a go ahead, but its reenactment next Tuesday April 12 may not be. Reenactors are awaiting word on government shutdown.

Chip Campsen of Fort Sumter Tours Inc. said the shutdown “really couldn’t come at a worse time.” (from Charleston Post and Courier online) The reenactors are making their travel plans now and were to arrive this Friday to begin preparations for the week-long events surrounding the anniversary.

Civil War Reenactors at Fort Sumter

At Fort Sumter, located in Charleston Harbor, re-enactors will present programs including musket firings and heavy artillery drills. From April 9–13, Union re-enactors will be on site. On April 14, flag ceremonies for the first five tour boats of the day will mark the Union surrender of Fort Sumter to Confederate forces. From April 15–17, Confederate re-enactors will occupy the fort. For information on tour boat availability visitors should contact Fort Sumter Tours, Inc. at (843) 722-2628 or visit their website.

The Fort Sumter Visitor Education Center at Liberty Square, located at 340 Concord Street in Charleston, will have daily programs focusing on the civilian home front at the beginning of the Civil War. From April 9–16 the visitor center will be open for extended hours from 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and on Sunday, April 17 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. There is no charge to visit the site.

Hopefully the show will go on! Bring the kids out to see history come alive at Fort Sumter!

Train for 5K alone or with a friend--even a 4-legged one!

Did you maintain your health and fitness over the long winter months? If you’re like me, you let it slip. Bad. The short days, the cold, and the demands of work, kids, home and my waistline is much lumpier than I’d like.

This blogger, named Brandon, shares his inspirational story of how he started running and lost over 70 lbs! He shares tips and encouragement in his helpful blogs, like these 5 tips from his article “Beginning Fitness: 5 Baby Steps”:

1. Create a Food Log. Record every meal and every snack that you eat.

2. Cut 500 calories per day. Over time they really add up. And that much won’t kill you.

3. Begin cardio you can stick with. Save high intensity for later. Start with 30 minutes daily (or 3-5 times per week) that gets your heart rate up and let’s you break a sweat.

4. Add strength training. Select a good variety of machines (6-10) and do 2 sets with 10 repetitions in each set. This accelerates fat loss.

5. Train for a race. Give your exercise a specific purpose.

If you’re like me, you are tempted to blow off that last step; however, he states that it’s a powerful motivator and a key step in the process.

If you’re willing to push yourself that little extra bit and get serious about your fitness, Charleston is hosting 5Ks and other races that might help you kick start your fitness goals—giving you that “deadline” that Brandon says was so beneficial to him. Here are a couple coming up. And how ironic the first one on the list! That’s exactly how I became so “lumpy” over the winter—those darned (delicious) Krispy Kremes!

Charleston Doughnut Run
Charleston, SC Sat 04/16/2011 5-K

Leslie McCravy Memorial 5-K Run/Walk
Folly Beach, SC Sat 05/14/2011 5-K

So hit the fitness center here at Abberly at West Ashley Apartments and start training for a 5K in Charleston! Happy Training!

photo credit: exercisemydog.com

"Spring Awakening" is a love story just in time for Spring in Charleston!

Spring has sprung in Charleston and the birds and the bees are up to their usual amorous Springtime activities. Seems like all of nature is courting, doesn’t it? You may be catching a little of the fever yourself!

Love is in the air at the North Charleston Coliseum Performing Arts Center on Tuesday, March 15, and Wednesday, March 16 at 7:30 pm each evening when “Spring Awakening” hits the stage. The musical, winner of 8 Tony awards including Best Musical, explores “the journey from adolescence to adulthood with unforgettable poignancy and passion.” (from website)

The North Charleston Performing Arts Center is located at 5001 Coliseum Drive—6 miles from Abberly at West Ashley. Purchase tickets online. Or download the entire Performing Arts Center brochure.

More from the website: “This electrifying fusion of morality, sexuality, and rock and roll is exhilarating. Join late 19th century German students as they navigate teenage self discovery and coming-of-age anxiety in a powerful celebration of youth and rebellion in the daring, remarkable Spring Awakening. (Warning: Explicit Adult Content).”

Spring over to see “Spring Awakening” at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center!

photo credit: North Charleston Performing Arts Center

Whiskey 'n' Ramblin, Charleston's "good time" band, plays at Home Team BBQ

For a fun-filled evening out with friends in Charleston, pair up good food with good music at one of the many restaurants with live music in the area. Sample the foods and the sounds at one of these local hot spots:

Mad River Bar & Grill will feature live music all day March 12^th and 17^th for their St. Patty’s Day events. They always feature live music Fridays and Saturdays. A DJ rocks the crowd the rest of the week. They are located at 32B Market Street.

Obrion’s Pub hosts acoustic duos or full bands several nights a week. Enjoy their authentic Irish pub fare at 520 Folly Rd, Ste #A (in the Publix shopping center).

Silver Star has been around for more than 10 years at 478 King Street. Listen to jamming live music in one of Charleston’s trendiest nightlife establishments.

Home Team BBQ serves up BBQ rubbed ribs, chicken, and pork shoulders that will knock your socks off! They host open mic nights and weekly live local bands at 1205 Ashley River Road.

High Cotton offers the best lowcountry fare with live jazz every night. They are located at 199 E. Bay Street.

And finally, for Charleston’s freshest seafood, it’s Coast bar and grill. They are located at 39-D John Street and showcase live music Sundays between 7 and 10.

Music and food make a great pair in Charleston!

photo credit: Home Team BBQ

King St, Charleston, SC

The 2011 Original Pub Tour of Charleston began January 1^st. Its last day is February 28^th. I do not know about your experiences but I have never participated in a pub tour. The idea is to go from bar to bar, drinking and eating in each bar. Some people might have experienced this, but not as an organized event.

According to The Original Pub Tour of Charleston website, it is based on the European pub tours. The pub tour is located in historic downtown Charleston. Abberly at West Ashley Apartment Homes is just a 20 minute drive from 40 N Market St. The 2 ½ hour tours occur from 12 p.m. until 7 p.m. Appetizers are free for those participating in the pub tour. Group discounts will be available for tour participants.

For more information about The Original Pub Tour of Charleston, visit its website. You can also visit it to purchase the $30 tickets. You must purchase your ticket in advance.

Image courtesy of Jack Duval via Flickr

You may have already found out about the Daily Deals from DealMobs.com But just in case you haven’t heard of DealMobs yet let us be the first to inform you.

DealMobs offers really cool deals on theings that happen arount town here in Charleston, South Carolina.  You can even catch cool deals on  plasces tio visit and dining spots to eat.

Head over to their website at DealMobs.com, see what the deal of the day is and then click on “Buy It Now.” You purchase what ever the item is at the extremely low discounted price.  Redeem your voucher via email the next day then you can print your deal of the day voucher and take it to the local business before the voucher expires.

But there is a catch… In order to get the great discount the minimum number of deal purchases must be met, so you can share the deal of the day with all of your friends of Facebook and Twitter.

The deal of the day 8/27/2010 Pep n’ Cheese for 60% off the regular price.

Check it out now and see for yourself.  Daily Deals form DealMobs.com

Living in Charleston at Abberly at West Ashley Apartments

If you’re a woman in the south like me, you’re probably getting an ear full this week about Brackets, green beverages and watching “the Madness” all weekend.

We’re even having a Bracket challenge in my home. My husband gave me a sheet that looked just like the one below. I filled it in to the best of my knowledge…you know Wild Cats are most likely going to beat Mountaineers and Gators always stomp Seminoles. It takes real expertise to make my selections.

Anyway, if you want to join in on the fun, click below to enlarge the brackets. You can even print them and play along.

Do we have any college basketball fans at Abberly at West Ashley? Who do you think will make it to the Final Four?

Quentin Baxter will join The Charleston Symphony Orchestra in a performance on Friday evening at Memminger Auditorium at 8:00pm. The concert will be part of the McCrady’s Pops series.

Baxter is known for his jazz style and experts in percussion. He’s a local artist and can’t be missed from the audience because of his long dreadlocks.

Are any of our residents planning to attend? Seems like it would be a great idea for a date night!

Tickets start at only $25 and are still available. For more information click here.

See the high-energy, high-kicking, holiday performance by the Radio City Rockettes. They will bring their show in town January 2 and January 3. This is an event perfect for the entire family.