Getting our Gatsby On

It seems like our Friends of Theatre gang has been in party mode this fall! I shared our Art in the Garden here, and most recently we toasted the Great Gatsby!

Photo: Phil Babcock

Our Michigan State University theatre department is doing a production of Fitzgerald's classic novel and what better way to kick it off with a gala at one of Lansing's oldest homes (built in the 1850s.)

And you know theatre people can't resist a good costume!

The students were on hand as well. Those who played the maids did so at the event, taking coats and selling 50/50 raffle tickets.

Photo: Phil Babcock

Scenes of the play were performed intermittently...

...along with songs from the period.

There was jazz to dance to...

Photo: Phil Babcock

...and a Charleston to learn!

Photo: Phil Babcock

I'll tell you, these kids have energy!

The rest of us did our best.

Photo: Phil Babcock

Everyone was there. Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas...

...the fashion elite...

...madecap flappers...

Photo: Phil Babcock

...and a couple of dandy dandies!

Photo: Phil Babcock

We wined...

Photo: Phil Babcock

...and dined...

Cased the joint (I loved this!)

And at the end of it all, kicked off our shoes and enjoyed.

It was a successful event for both the theatre and our Friends of Theatre and our co-sponsor, the Friends of Turner Dodge House.

Linking today with Share Your Cup, Share Your Style, Pink Saturday and other parties as links become available.

Quiet Weekend

I thought just for once it would be nice to chat a little about things going on in my world on a quiet weekend -- within a few days of it happening,instead of a few weeks! 

Rick took a boy-on-his-bike-hike on Friday, returning Saturday. So, I enjoyed another walk to the Ditch.

 

Evenings bring their own beauty.

This was the first time I'd seen a deer that stood still long enough for a few photos.

 

Granted, the zoom couldn't handle it without a little fuzz. Nonetheless, I was entranced.

My Saturday jaunt took me by my favorite honeysuckle bush. It smells heavenly!

Harry was out, strugging his stuff.

Again, too far to get much clarity with the zoom. Still, my Big Bird makes me happy.

A duck family was near the walkway -- mom and her four babies. Dad was in the bushes, an occasional mallard tail showing through.They seemed content to scratch the ground and just wander, play and pick on each other!

 Of course, most just liked simply hanging out in the shade on this steaming hot day.

This child (with his grandma) was entranced by them.

So was I!

They were getting big, but were still downy.

Mom's feet were bright -- ready for a quick getaway if tempted.

 

I loved watching this family -- mom clearly called the shots.

 

When she moved, they did. Otherwise, she was content to let them explore.

I love seeing people out there -- this was a group of teens by another duck area.

And supper was on for Mr. Chips here!

 

Rick returned that evening and we enjoyed a riverside picnic before seeing the musical "Baby."

It was tranquil, calm and quiet. We'd periodically see geese and ducks float down the Red Cedar. A few joined us on shore.

 

They took off, though, when a rubber raft came along! The kids' parents were on shore, walking their dog. The geese took a pass!

Then the excellent production done by Michigan State University's theatre department. This photo was taken before the crowd filled in but they still deserved a much bigger audience than it had. 

This was the last of four nights for this show -- and the last of the free season of several shows for Summer Circle Theatre. Can't wait till next year.

All this -- and I still have Sunday left -- as you can see, it's warm here, even Lizzie is a sprawling!