Hamlet at Riverside Park

We attended another Shakespeare in the park event!

This year Indianapolis Shakespeare Company selected Hamlet as their presentation piece.

The event was moved to Riverside Park this year and will remain there.

After receiving a grant, they will now be able to create a permanent amphitheater with the Mayor Thomas Taggart Memorial.

(photos from Fox59 story)

It will be a perfect pairing as they are revitalizing this park with new life!

Our first stop was to one of the food trucks brought in for the event - J's Lobster truck!  

Ashley had been wanting to try something off this truck for quite some time!

We each had a lobster roll and they were AMAZING!

Fresh lobster coated in butter on a toasted roll with crispy lettuce!  Perfection!

We rounded it out with some sauvignon blanc!

The show began when it was still light out - 8 PM and had been condensed to a 2 hr run by our favorite - Ryan Artzberger!

As the sun set, we were impressed with some of the incredible performances! (we loved Hamlet and Horatio!)

Of course knowing pretty much everyone dies at the end helps you not get attached!

We had blackberry jam rolls for intermission in honor of Lammas.

Emily prepared them the morning of the event.

While this vantage point did not allow you to see the sun setting over White River, the river does snake through this park.

By the end of the play it was dark - and the mystery of the theatre had enshrouded us all.

We were transfixed by the illusions created on stage.

We especially liked the way they represented the suicide of Ophelia and how Horatio and the rest of the guard were women!

The evening was warm but the darkness brought a chill.

You could feel the magic of summer slipping into its final month.

We chanted with grain and a witches brew candle under a weeping tree that the seeds of change be planted.

And remembered - as Shakespeare wrote in tonight's play - "there is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so."

Great twin night!

The Failure to Zig Zag

On a mild summer Sunday, we picked up gran for a theatre outing!

We headed to The Cat in Carmel to experience a show and venue totally new to all of us!

The Failure to Zig Zag was performing a sold out run and featured one of our favorite veterans - Ron May!

We were so grateful to get tickets to this incredible show and to see Chaplain May in action.

The Failure to Zig Zag told the story of the U.S.S. Indianapolis and its crew - focusing on the court marshal of its captain.

It was a riveting tale - full of heartbreak, loss and the strength of the human spirit.

Ron May was wonderfully lovable even as he played a character we might otherwise have hated.

The depth of the performance allowed us to understand him as a complex Navy man.

Gran made her way easily in and out of the theatre as it is all on one level.

Perfect for this type of crowd!

The emotional story was delivered in two hours with an intermission stretching it out just a bit more.

Gran looked lovely and it was no trouble for her to pop over to Carmel for the show.

It was wonderful to be able to scoop her up and take her to a new place.

Her spirit for adventure never ceases to amaze!

Great twin time!

Half Blood Prince at Newfields

On this warm Thursday evening, we all met up for another viewing in the Newfields HP series.

We decided to take the guys to our Indianapolis version of  The Leaky Cauldron: Napolese.

We shared a caprese salad and bruschetta to start.

Then the Marshalls ordered a Party Time pizza : Tomatoes, Roasted Peppers, Olives, Feta, Basil

And the Schwindlers orderd a Fly Famous Mockingbird (Sticky Icky) : Smoked Chicken, Tomatoes, Roasted Peppers, Provolone

We shared the pizza too and had a few drinks in the wine bar.

It was a very beautiful setting to prepare for the film.

We made the quick trip over to Newfields and rushed in just in time for the movie to begin.

Ashley was able to check out the potions booth they had provided as extra entertainment.

The last film with Dumbledore still has a wisp of beautiful magic mixed with the darkness of what is to come.

As literature and potions have always been of interest - this film is no different.

The idea that a practiced potioneer could build your skills just through marginalia is both alluring and dangerous.

The atrium was filled with a magical display of colorful opening shutters.

The moving display added a light sense of wonderment to the week's series.

Wonderful choice!

Enchanting twin - date night!

Sorcerer's Stone at Newfields

We had a double date at Newfields to see Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone!

We had been looking forward to this outdoor screening since the list of summer nights films was posted!

In fact, Newfields is playing all the movies during a wonderful Potter week!

We decided to pack a picnic, get a prime spot, and enjoy summer together with our guys!

Ashley made some delicious pumpkin juice and supplied Maurauder Map cups!

She even transported it in pumpkin juice containers we picked up at the Wizarding World!

We also had witches' finger grapes and pumpkin/pork/pretzel bun sandwiches.

Ashley brought along her trivia so we could challenge each other to a game!

The picnic was perfect, the hot sun dipped out of sight at about 8 PM and we enjoyed our seats much more then!

Emily made house pumpkin cookies!

Newfields hosted their own trivia and we enjoyed trying to answer those questions as we ate.

The movie was sold out, but we had an excellent spot thanks to the Marshalls (by a happy accident) arriving early!

There was also a 9 3/4 backdrop and children's activities as provided entertainment.

The guys had beers and the gals had pumpkin juice and red wine.

It was fun to wear our witch hats and house colors.

We saw other kids wearing HP shirts and one in a robe, but adults mostly had t shirts or house colors.

The movie started at 9:30 PM this year, after sunset.

It was a waxing moon - almost full - and the air was full of cricket sounds and whispering trees.

The magic of this film was only enhanced by being outside, with candlelight and starry sky.

With a busy week and the excitement of the day, it was a bit hard to stay awake for the whole movie!

We had popcorn packs and comfortable chairs which nestled us into a place of comfort - watching a classic.

It was the witching hour when we said our goodbyes.

We called our ubers and headed for home.

It was wonderful to share this magical date night together!

Great twin night - enjoying all things Potter!

Gran's 91st Birthday!!!

On this sunny, warm July 10th, we celebrated Gran's 91st birthday at Traders Point Creamery!

We had her birthday lunch here last year, so we decided to make it a tradition.

We ordered some celebratory Prosecco and had a toast to her health.

Gran indulged us with the drinks, eagerly opened her card, and talked endlessly about her plans later with friends.

Ashley had selected the most perfect gift card and gift for gran.

We told her it was something she needs but that she didn't even know she needs!

She carefully unwrapped the gorgeous present after we had placed our order.

Emily helped her open the box and read some of the explanatory materials.

She was so surprised!  She said she usually tries to keep 21st century items out of her home, but she would welcome this!

Soon the frittatas and BLT arrived.  Bright, cheerful presentation and incredible freshness!

Gran was loving her BLT and gobbled up all the fresh berries.

After lunch, we had them bring out the strawberry shortcake!

Gran chose vanilla as her free scoop.

The candles flickered her age to all!

She had a little trouble getting them out proclaiming, "I used up all my blowing power!"

She made sure to turn 91 on its head figuratively and literally!

She's 91 and still having fun!

We told them we would be back next year.

We talked about memories, birthdays and how the years rush by.

We remembered the year and how wonderful it is to be close together for birthdays, holidays and every days.

Nothing could beat watching her proudly blow out those candles and remark at how she cannot believe she made it this far.

We said we would keep her for 91 more and hope she outlives us all.

While we know we cannot keep her forever, we will keep her today.

91 with the spirit of 19

Lovely twin time.

White City Murder and Giordanos

On this Thursday evening, we met up at Phoenix Theatre to use our remaining flex pass tickets to see White City Murder!

White City Murder by Ben Asaykwee

"Murder! Mischief! Comedy! Original music highlights this hilarious and terrifying tale of infamous murder at the 1893 World’s Fair. It’s Ben Asaykwee. It’s hysterical. What more could you ask for? On the Basile Stage."

This original play had everything we wanted - murder - mystery - song - dance - and best of all - Ben! 

We stopped by the concessions for a couple glasses of red blend before seating ourselves.

We chatted about work and waited for the show to begin. Ashley ordered us some Giordano's so that it would be ready at the conclusion.

They really gave us a show! It was fascinating to hear about H.H. Holmes and his web of lies and treachery. 

The World's Fair Hotel with its torture rooms and cremation chamber was a fascinating topic. The music and actors were incredible!

The only negative was one number about the funeral industry - but funeral homes did have less than positive reputations at that time in history!

After the show, we found some good parking by the circle and went to have a drink and our Chicago pizza. 

Unfortunately, Giordano's decided to close early.

So we took our pizza to the circle and had fun talking about the play, the new theatre and life.

It was a nice night to be out and the fountain was roaring.

We had the small chicken sausage deep dish from Giordano's. It was huge!

After some pizza, we walked back to the car and talked more in the parking lot until we both needed to go home!

It was nice that our plans didn't work out because it gave us a chance to get out and see the fountain.

The moon, the water, the play, the food....all wonderful!

We had a pleasant evening of simply enjoying our town and each other.

Great twin night!

Deathly Hallows Part 2 at ISO on Summer Solstice

For this Friday night of Summer Solstice, we decided to have a summer picnic at IUPUI.

Ashley found a wonderful, historic spot in Ball Garden.

The original concept for this Sunken Garden was to be a therapeutic greenspace for nurses and their patients.

The statue of Eve in the calming fountain is surrounded by brick walkways and beautiful trees.

We found a protected spot under a nearby tree to set up our summer charcuterie.

Sun Tree cherries and Strawberries, Sun Chips, Sundried Tomatoes, Fresh Honeycomb, Dill Havarti Cheese, Smoked Gouda, Mixed Olives and four types of Salami made a beautiful spread.

We also had fresh baked honey cakes, Flower Garden Pinot Grigio, and Elderflower Lemonade.

Ashley had lovingly baked the honey cakes that morning with Lavendar Honey and her own mix of spices.

The wine was poured into bee glasses and placed before yellow flowers, mulberry branches and oak leaves.

Ashley brought vibrant blankets to serve as a cozy seat for our meal.

This year has been particularly wet, and even on the first day of summer, we had rain.

Our tree mostly protected us from the droplets as we supped and talked.

The grounds of Ball Garden were beautiful and quiet at this time of evening.

In honor of Litha, we lit candles to the four directions and burned away things that had not served us this spring.

We released these things and opened ourselves to the energy, light and healing of the longest day of the year.

After our picnic, we rushed over to the symphony to be a part of history:

The world premier of the Deathly Hallows Part 2 being played live by the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra.

We were so honored to stand before the performance to indicate we had attended ALL the films.

As the movie opened, the dark scene set a pall over the next couple of hours.

It is the darkest of the films, but with glimmers of hope.

"Happiness can be found even in the darkest times if one only remembers to turn on the light."

The Battle of Hogwarts is both heartbreaking and encouraging as we are reminded to stand up for what is right, 

cherish those you have with you today, and remember it is never too late do to the right thing.

We almost didn't want the movie to end.

We have grown so accustomed these last 3 years to have another concert date on the calendar - no matter how far away it may seem.

We really hope they start again with the first film.

The music was inspiring as always and we had the best seats in the house to watch it all unfold.

The longest day of the year seemed to end too soon as we left Hilbert Circle Theatre and headed for home.

But we know that even if this series is truly over, "Hogwarts will always be there to welcome us home."

Magical twin night!