Finally!!! It’s time! The American Theatre Guild is thrilled to present the Toledo engagement of Disney’s The Lion King as a part of the 22–23 BROADWAY IN TOLEDO SERIES. Toledo’s most eagerly awaited stage production ever will leap onto the Stranahan Theater stage from Wednesday, April 19 to Sunday, May 7.
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Date Night!! The two words every couple looks forward to, especially those with kids. It means a night away from the kiddos, reconnecting with your spouse, and remembering why you fell in love in the first place. It is easy to get caught up in the responsibilities of adulthood & parenthood. That is why it is so important that you step away from it all for a few hours and have some fun, remember the fun, that thing you did before you had a job, mortgage, kids, you know before you had major responsibilities!?
Here are some FUN Date Night destinations you and your significant other are certain to enjoy:
Thursdays just got a whole lot thriftier at the Toledo Museum of Art! Looking for something fun to do with the kiddos, the family, a night out with the gals, or a date night, that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg? The Toledo Museum of Art has you covered!
Toledo Museum of Art is always FREE admission!! But did you know TMA’s latest exhibition, Life is a Highway is also FREE? On Thursday evenings 5-9pm only, stop at front desk to receive your FREE ticket(s). (This ticketed exhibition is usually $12 for nonmembers; $10 for military, college students, and seniors; $7 for youth ages 5-17, & free for children four years of age or younger).
The first large-scale domestic exhibition provides a historical overview of life on the highway with an emphasis upon the Midwest, Life Is a Highway brings together a diverse selection of artists to showcase the automobile’s reshaping of the 20th-century American landscape and cultural attitudes of self-expression. Featuring more than 100 works from the Toledo Museum of Art’s own collection and both private and public loans, this exhibition charts the rise of auto-mobility as a visual icon of American identity. With works spanning from early depictions through the Pop Artists’ portrayal of the automobile’s impact upon consumer culture to the present, the car’s image as a symbol of newness, freedom and independence, mobility, and renewal is explored. Organized through four themes that call attention to the social, aesthetic, environmental, and industrial dimensions of its legacy, this exhibition includes a range of visual media.
Hurry and make plans today…Life is a Highway Exhibition ends September 15th
While you’re there be sure to checkout……
The New Media gallery features a multisensory display focused on an exploration of the relationship between art and music. Jointly curated by Halona Norton-Westbrook, Director of Curatorial Affairs, and Scott Boberg, Manager of Programs and Audience Engagement, the exhibition features a selection of 20th-century abstract paintings each paired with carefully curated musical composition. Presented together in this manner, the art and music engage in a multi-sensory experience that simultaneously engenders close looking, contemplation, and a consideration of the connection between visual and auditory art forms. Free admission
And there is legit fun around every corner!
Make an official evening/night of it and stop off at the Museum Café beforehand for delicious, gourmet, garden to table, reasonably priced meals. Click on link to see Spring/Summer 2019 Menu, https://www.toledomuseum.org/sites/default/files/caf_springsummerwebmenu_043019.pdf
Tuesday & Wednesday: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Thursday & Friday: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Sunday: Noon – 4 p.m.
Then head over to the Glass Pavilion for a public glassblowing demonstration (free) and a glass of wine.
Located inside the Glass Pavilion, this trendy lounge features signature coffees, teas, beer, wine, soft drinks, and homemade pastries.
Tuesday & Wednesday: Noon – 3:30 p.m.
Thursday & Friday: Noon – 8:30 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday: Noon – 4:30 p.m.
You booked the babysitter weeks ago; you’ve got on that pretty dress, even did your makeup, and yet, still haven’t decided where you’re going. Classic Date Night dilemma! So you’ll debate where to go for twenty minutes, each vetoing the other’s ideas, and eventually arrive at the “usual” spot. Date nights becoming a bit too predictable? Sick of the “usual” spot!? Want to venture off the restaurant chain path? Go somewhere more exotic? Want to feel like you’ve gone on a mini vacation? Then Rasa is the Date Night game changer you’ve been looking for!
I had the pleasure of dining at Rasa for my birthday and it was an experience like none other. From the moment you enter Rasa you can feel your blood pressure lowering, the atmosphere is like nothing else in the city. It’s like, if a high end farm-to-table establishment in a big city and a spa had a baby, it would be Rasa! Lol! Honestly, I fell in love with the atmosphere first and then the food. And the food, omg, it is REAL food, none of that frozen crap reheated or fried. But I’m getting ahead of myself. After all, Date Nights are meant to be savored!
First things first, beverages! Rasa takes beverage to a whole new level & encourages those dining to broaden their beverage palette to that beyond just Coke or Pepsi products. Sparkling water, seasonal Kombucha, Turmeric Horchata, Lemongrass Fresca, etc. in addition to the wine, beer, & amazing cocktail menu.
And the food, oh my gosh, it is seasonal, fresh, & prepared to perfection!! Or at least the 3 meals I sampled were, yep, I’m one of “those” people, I want to try it all! Lol! What I really appreciate is the fact that food, along with beverages, & some of the décor are local. The conscious community connection with local businesses & farms adds a layer of comfort to the meal.
I will warn you, it is hard to leave the little magical oasis that is Rasa and walk back into reality. But leave you must, even though the closing time is flexible for dinner they frown upon bringing in your sleeping bag. But the good news is Rasa isn’t just limited to Dinner, there is also a Brunch & Lunch menu! So call up the girls, for a ladies day brunch!
Location: 2633 West Bancroft Toledo, OH 43607
Email: CONTACT@RASATOLEDO.COM
Phone: (419) 725-0525
Website: https://www.rasarestaurantandbar.com/
LUNCH
TUESDAY – FRIDAY: 11.00AM – 2:00PM
DINNER
TUESDAY – SATURDAY: 5:00PM – until…
BRUNCH
SATURDAY & SUNDAY
11:00AM – 2:00PM
Since there is so much commotion the morning of Valentine’s Day, with the kiddos treats, valentines for school, and this year we actually received a few inches of snow (like the third time this year, extremely unusual for Northwest Ohio, we usually get good amount of snow) so the kiddos needed to pack their shoes and wear their boots. Since we were fortunate enough to receive some snow most school districts around here had a 2 hour delay. That is all but the two where our kiddos attend school. So this mama’s bus needed to leave on time. As I dropped them off to school it was hilarious hearing the choir of frustrated mommies walking their kiddos into school. One mommy who was walking behind us, through the snow, in her tennis shoes, carrying a 24 pack of water expressed to her son that he needed to sign up for napkins next time. Another mom yelled to her son who was distracted by the snow to help his younger sister carry all her valentines stuff into school. That mom must have repeated “HELP HER” roughly 4 times before he finally did help her. In a weird sort of way it kind of felt like we were all part of this exclusive club due to the crazy circumstances of the morning that bonded us.
That evening we exchanged Valentine’s gifts. We had dinner in the dinning room, we decorated the table, and the kiddos got all dressed up for the occasion (they dressed as a princess, a bride, and our little man was dressed as a mutation of Thor, Spider Man, and a Power Ranger). We had Linguine (Whole Grain & Protein….shhh) with Alfredo sauce and a Salad. After we finished eating we exchanged gifts.
Our daughter gave us this beautiful poem with her hand prints on it. And yes, there was water works; those darn words were so beautiful and true. I dare you to read it without getting misty eyed.
Our son gave us a nice collage of doily on heart with a cute poem. Thought, not as moving as my daughter’s it was still sentimental.
For my husband’s gift I place a 12 pack of Yuengling (they started selling it in Ohio like a month ago, so it is still kind of a big deal), his favorite, in a tool box and added 12 pink hearts. Each bottle had a pink heart on it with a future date night that we would be sharing (just wanted to clarify). Since we always plan on date night but it seems like they never occur I figured what better way to actually get them on the calendar. So I am promised at least 12 dates over the course of a year, one a month. I tried to come up with fun and exciting dates that we could enjoy together, they include:
Planet Rock (learn how to rock climb, HELLO, Awesome!!)
Clelands (Shooting Range. It is important to have knowledge of firearms and I know he will enjoy this one.)
Toledo Museum of Art’s, It’s Friday!! (There are various exhibits that come to the museum so I think I will decide which one sounds interesting and we can get a babysitter, a glass of wine, and walk the Art Museum Galleries and special exhibit, I can’t wait!!)
A walk through Wildwood …….(A walk in the park and maybe even a picnic in the park?)
In 2 Art…… (Paint pottery)
Volunteer at Cherry St. Mission….. (Pick up leftover food from local businesses or volunteer to serve food at the shelter)
Belamere Suites for a Romantic overnight……. (Their suites have a private garage, fire-place, whirlpool, walk-in shower for two, and fresh muffins and coffee delivered to your door in the morning. Last time we stayed I was preggo. We sat in the whirlpool eating candy watching the fire and television; it was a pregnant woman’s dream come true. I am thinking we might stay here in Dec. around his b-day)
Wine Tasting… (This is self-explanatory)
Couples Massage….(We get a massage at the same time. Nothing kinky, just back massages at the same time)
Horseback Riding…(I am still on the hunt for a location for this date. Apparently everyone thinks you want to learn about horses and clean them and stuff. No thank you, I just want to ride them.)
Super Suppers Cooking Class (This looks like fun, it is just one class and you learn some basic techniques.)
Funny Bone Comedy Club (I will let him decide what comedian he would like to see, this is guaranteed to be a fun night.)
My hubby got me a delicious box of chocolates from Christie’s Candies & Mints. One word describes their chocolates, AMAZING! First thing I did when I opened my box of nuts covered in dark chocolate (Haha) was take in that amazing aroma. There is nothing like the smell of fresh chocolate, the prepackaged chocolates just can’t compete.
I have done the responsible thing and only devoured them one handful a day. They are just sooo good!!
For dessert I made cupcakes that surprisingly did not get eaten. The entire family ate chocolates, poor cupcakes, but how can they compete with chocolates? Those chocolates are so good, they make you want to live a better lifestyle so you can be around longer to devour them, ha-ha.
So, what did you get your Valentine?
Mom on the go in Holy Toledo 