a wickedly good time

Attending a showing if the bit Broadway musical 'Wicked' with my dear friend Bethany has been a long time coming. It was at the top of our list when we ventured to New York City in December of last year, but seeing it performed in the Big Apple just wasn't in the cards for us. Which meant that we were elated to find out that the award winning show would be making it's way down to Nashville this spring. 

From start to finish, Wicked lived up to every bit of the hype. Clever (and funnier than anticipated) writing, creative staging and  costumes, and stunning vocal performances proved to us that this show is every bit as amazing as we had been hearing about all theses years. It was such a treat to take an evening to enjoy the arts and one of the many awesome events that Nashville has had to offer this month. Two thumbs way up for Wicked and for friendship! 

east meets south

This past Saturday, I attended one of the many local events going on around town this month. Nashville's Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival highlights Japanese culture, as well as an initiative to plant 100 cherry trees across Nashville's parks, public areas and neighborhoods each year over a 10 year span.  

I participated in the 2.5 mile festival-kick-off walk, listened to the drumming of the Houston-based Kaminari Taiko ensemble, cheered on local martial arts demonstrators, perused vendor booths and enjoyed seeing festival participants adorned in traditional Japanese attire juxtaposed with those sporting modern Japanime costumes.

It was a wonderful morning joining in on the sixth annual celebration of Nashville's Cherry Blossom Festival and who knows...maybe next year I will sport a harajuku costume!

april showers bring may flowers

April is a busy time.  The movement can be felt everywhere.  That is what spring is: movement.  You can see the trees beginning to bud.  Flowers start to open.  More folks are out walking, biking and jogging.  Everyone and everything is waking up from a nice winter's nap.

The Lunchbox Buddies are excited to shake off the slothfulness of winter and participate in the many city-wide community events that Nashville is offering during this month of seasonal transition.  A neighborhood-specific community event that has marked my last three Aprils is the kickoff of our Funny Hill garden.

We've worked to turn the soil and repair some of the bed structures.  Naturally things decay or get overrun when they are left to their own devices for seasons of rest.  But that is the cycle, to rest and then to work. I like that my body and spirit respond to the activity, to the work, with gratitude.

As we enter this busy season of activity, be constructive with your time .  Put energy into trying new things, getting outside to explore, to read new books and think new ideas.  Go ahead and savor the movement and anticipate the enjoyment you will have in reaping your figurative or literal harvest. 

spring fever

This month has been dubbed AWESOME APRIL by VisitMusicCity.Com, and, when you take a look at the comprehensive list of events taking place, it is easy to see why. With categories ranging from musical happenings to sporting events, Nashville is bound to have a little something for everyone over the next few weeks.

Sarah and I have 12 years of Nash Vegas living between us, and we have been blessed to enjoy many of the sights and sounds of this great city. Both as The Lunchbox Buddies and as individuals, we have have had great experiences and would highly recommend many of these Awesome April events to you, including: Ryman Auditorium, Record Store Day, Nashville Sounds, Cheekwood Botanical Gardens, and the Nashville Predators.

With the blue skies and sunshine of springtime upon us, there's no excuse for not taking advantage of some of these great opportunities.

Nashville Cherry Blossom Festival is one option for how to spend your day on Saturday the 12th. The festival's website says describes it as "a celebration of spring and friendship between Japan and America occasioned by the blossoming cherry trees," and explains that the goal is to place 1,000 cherry trees throughout Nashville over the next 10 years! This day long event will include demonstrations, foods, and crafts for individuals and families to enjoy.

The Seventh Annual Iron Fork is being held Wednesday, April 16th.  This tasty event helps raise funds for Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee.  Attendees get to sample cocktails and cuisine from over 20 of Nashville's best restaurants.

For our fellow 90's lovers, Weezer, Goo Goo Dolls, and Rob Thomas will all be performing in Nashville during the month of April! Bust out the light wash jeans and your flannel button ups, they're playing our jams!

So whether you are looking to celebrate your love of horror movies, fashion, running, wrestling...whatever! Check out this month's AWESOME APRIL events and get doing.