Killer Crab Dip

Growing up down south, you find crab dip everywhere. Some chilled, some warm and most of it just so so. I have had this recipe that I have been making for years now. This however will mark the first time I will share it. It's nothing out of this world special about any of the ingredients. However, after the flavors marry, it is truly fabulous.

1 pound lump crab meat
1 teaspoon old bay seasoning
1 table spoon lemon juice
1 whole block shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup of Dukes Mayo
2 tablespoons hot sauce of your choice
1 tablespoon of horse radish
salt and pepper to taste

Now that's it. Mix all in a bowl and let sit in the refrigerator for 45 minutes to an hour and serve with crackers. If you're feeling frisky, you can add a block of cream cheese with chives in it and it takes it to an entirely new level!!

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Farm Fresh for your Fourth

Getting set for the big Fourth of July celebration? 

 In the couple of weeks leading up to the big day, 

I will give you all kinds of delicious goodness and crafty table scape ideas as well.

Every Fourth of July I always think of the grill! 

I thought it would be interesting to look at grilling something

 I have never done before. 

I have ventured into the world of the Avocado. 

Here is a fun recipe that I thought I would share with you. 

• 4  avocadoes, halved
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Corn Salsa

• 8 ounces gold & white corn, strained
• 1/2 tablespoon ground cumin
• 8 ounces black beans, strained
• 1/2 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 medium tomato, diced
• 1 tablespoon cilantro, chopped fine
• 1/2 medium white onion, diced
• salt & pepper
• corn chips, to serve with

Directions:

1. 1
   Heat grill to medium-high heat. Remove pits from avocados and brush first with lemon juice, then extra virgin olive oil.
2. 2
   Place avocados skin side down on grill for 2 minutes, turn and grill for 2 more minutes.
3. 3
   With a spatula, carefully remove avocados from grill and spoon salsa into seed pits.
   
   
   
   

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It's All in the Family with the Normellino's. . . but is it NORMAL?

Splitting my time with offices in Charleston and New York has always been something I have enjoyed.  like many things, when you get busy, you rarely have time to venture out and explore. Such is my life in NYC. I work and live in midtown and besides heading into the village or Tribecca, SOHO, Chelsea (all of which are not far apart on the island of Manhattan, I never really get to head into some of the culturally rich areas like Queens.

It's something I have always heard about, the BEST Italian recipes, the loudest people and that stereo typical New Yorker we have all come to know and see on TV.

I had the chance to meet the Normellino family today. As expected the accents, the hair, and of course the food were all prevalent.  However, I got to dig into their lives today for 2 hours.

Imagine a real life fish out of water story with a Kansas student having to move in with these people? Imagine that learning curve. I didn't have to imagine. That's what the show was.

Judy and Thomas Burke Heath have written this comedy.  Stereotypes abound and lead to some really funny interaction. I will tell you the true star of the show is without a doubt a young CofC student by the name of Bronson Taylor.  Taylor plays the lead role Hadley. His character development, his natural reaction to his fellow actors, and his overall personality shines throughout the entire show. It's rare to see someone as young as he possess such strengths on stage.

I have to be quite honest, I ever since working in NYC am used to seeing 100% professional actors and leaving the community theater scene behind. I had quite a wake up call. This entire ensemble cast was spot on and led each other through the 2 hour piece with wit, grace and fabulous one liners.

Sadly this was the last performance (sold out) for their run. However, you can certainly keep up with them on Facebook.  http://www.facebook.com/PerfectlyNormelPeople.

Congrats to their entire team for allowing the southern folks of Charleston into the world of Queens NY.

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No Sorrow at all! It's Just Pure Joy!

It was a standard steamy Thursday in Charleston. I headed to the College of Charleston Cistern to check out what I was actually, to be honest kind of not very interested in reviewing, Joy Kills Sorrow. Boy, was I wrong!!

With the crazy popularity of  the independent bands that infuse folk, blues, and pop being so huge right now, I figured it would be more same of the same. It was so much more than that!

They played blue grass instruments but made them sound so rich and different. Also what did a band from Boston possibly know about Blue Grass?

They have a fabulous female that they have thrown in the mix. They group actually take their name from a radio station WJKS.

They released their debut album in 2007 and have never looked back. if cover music is what you were looking for, you were looking in the wrong place. However, you never missed it!  Their rich depth took us on a steamy sultry ride that we will never forget.  Storytellers is what I feel best describes the group.

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Flexibility and Positioning are the Keys to LEO

It would seem that it's the year of multi sensory shows at Spoleto. At least it's the year of multi media. When I first heard about LEO and how they started with just a couple shows and then kept adding and adding and selling out and selling out, of course I was intrigued.  On a blustery evening I was joined by a fellow theater lover and off we dashed to the Emmett Robinson Theater.

When the show started in total blackness there was an interesting music sound track that played. From there, once the lights hit the stage there was almost as if an imaginary line that divided the stage.  One side was live and real while the other was projection. I will freely admit that the show has a very slow start. however, once it got going it totally grabbed you.

I looked at the premise of the show and all I could think of was the song from Wicked, "Defying Gravity." What our actor/acrobat Tobias Wegner did was just that. Living in a world that seemed upside down and backwards to some may in fact mean that it right side up for others.

The multi media was such an interesting component of the piece. 150% necessary for the success of the show. However, I must admit at times I found it distracting earlier in the 70 minute show. Once you got used to it, you picked kind of one or the other to glance at. I then thought  how is he doing this? The camera is shooting from one angle while he is 45 degrees different. It's a complete showcase of his strength and agility.

Check out his You Tube promo piece here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqKG9hFZexs


Wegner's endurance is surely tested throughout this non stop piece. His recreation of swimming in an ocean full of creatures was sheer brilliance.

Not the norm for this theater and entertainment reviewer, however, isn't that what Spoleto is all about? Creating new experiences wrapped up in cultural festivities.

More to come from my review on the Alvin Ailey soon as well as our take on some really fab jazz! Thanks for following and please pass and share with your friends and followers.

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Spoleto Jazz Prodigy and the Fireman Equal Perfection

To be in the entertainment and events industry is to really know the entertainment and events industry. It often times goes without saying, what the guests don't know won't hurt them especially if we can fix the issue before it event becomes apparent. Let me start from the beginning.

I had the pleasure of interviewing 22 year old Cecile Mclorin Salvant a young woman who has quickly come onto the jazz scene world wide making huge waves! She has this very quiet demeanor when you sit down with her. Almost like a little girl who has been thrust into the spotlight. I found myself thinking, is this the same girl who I have seen on You Tube and heard on her albums. Could it be this lovely lady, was the monster singer with the smooth chops and depth of range and tonality that I heard ? Only time would tell. We chatted about her experience auditioning for some HUGE names in the industry like Al Jarreau, and Dianne Reeves. She said it was life changing and I can only imagine why!

We concluded the interview and I sat down with Michael G. A good friend and Spoleto Jazz Producer since its inception. We caught up in our normal fashion with over view of all the talent this year had to offer. Stay tuned for more BLOGS about that soon.

The show for Cecile, was surprisingly NOT sold out. As a matter of fact, there was only about 65% sold. I do hear the Saturday show was filled to the gills! Her show started with the band walking out on stage as expected. However, there was a familiar face within the rhythm, section. It was Charleston's very own Quentin Baxter. What the heck was he doing with this world renowned band. Here comes the fireman story!!

Michael G and I chatted and wrapped up the interview and he then told me . ."man you would't believe what I have been doing the last 2 hours!"  Apparently the bass player and drummer were booked on the same flight from NYC. However, the drummer never made it on the flight. To make matters worse, he was not picking up his phone and no one had any idea where he was!! Michael reached out to Quentin and in his true genius style, he showed up at sound check and learned her show with out any charts (sheet music) to go on. Michael G had put out a fire before anyone knew a fire existed!!

When the band started playing, it was like they had been together for years. Smooth and concise. Cecile's voice started in and her was that brilliant voice I knew and was looking for. Her smooth style cut through the crowd like slicing into a room temperature stick of butter. Her control, her verbrato, her timbre all flawless.

Her stylings perfection. You would close your eyes and know that you have heard not a 22 year old, but convinced that you have heard a seasoned 40 + year in action. Keeping up with her over the next series of years proves to be incredible. She is such a gifted artist and to watch her grow will be a privilege.

More from Spoleto soon. Share our blogs and  thanks for keeping up with us!

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Spoleto Day 1 an Adventure in DANCE my meeting with Renee Robinson

I say it time and time again. I adore returning to Charleston (my home town) every year to cover the Spoleto Festival.  I recently had been in town producing a series of high end weddings so it made it rather convenient to be home to get a head start for prepping for the epic 17 days that is Spoleto.

For those of you that don't know, the festival of 2 cities was originally founded in Spoleto Italy back.  It's founder and original artistic director Gian Carlo Menotti searched for a city that resembled the architecture, weather, cultural climate as his Italian festival and Charleston was the perfect fit.

Here we are decades later and a festival that is not only thriving but making its mark on the entire world from its creative collaborations to its phenomenal art offerings.

Day number one started with coffee at what seems to be a standard stopping place during the festival for many. Saffrons restaurant located at 333 East Bay Street was the location chosen for me to interview the incomparable Renee Robinson of Alvin Ailey fame.  Upon walking in, I was greeted by Ali the owner who kindly reminded me just how much he LOVED Spoleto. Not only did he remind me, he made a point to show me the ad he placed in the Piccolo Spoleto ( the sister festival)'s program book. Not only that, he took a picture down off the wall and showed me. It was he and Gian Carlo where he had made pizza for him years ago. He then in typical form,  asked that I show the picture in my story.  I'm really not clear how a picture of him making pizza for Gian Carlo has ANYTHING to do with my soon to be interview with Renee Robinson. However, I smiled and went on to set up my shot.

After a needed cup of coffee, Renee walked in. I  really should say sauntered. She had this elegance about her that was unmistakable.  You know this may sound strange but upon shaking her hand, I guess it was her perfume, body lotion or something but it had a most familiar scent to it. She smelt like gardenias! It was hypnotic! So we chatted for a moment before rolling the cameras. It turns out she had just gotten into town the night before and a member of the company actually lives in Charleston.  They had a huge family dinner for the entire company complete with Shrimp and Grits, Fried Chicken, Mac and cheese. . I'm talking the works.  I told her about Lowcountry in Chelsea in NYC and she could't believe it.

The interview that will be airing all over, can be seen on my youtube channel later this week. We shared her unique take on the company and the direction that it is heading. We even got to chatting about the piece that they are probably most famous for. Revelations! Look for my review of their show coming soon! However, it was within minutes that not only did I know she was a flawless interview, but I new I had made a life long friend. I am so a believer of that. Putting yourself out there and meeting amazing people. Her take on the world is nothing  short of inspiring.


Stay tuned as I will be giving you an insider scoop on Spoleto Jazz that NO ONE knew about. . even when the performance was over.  It's Lawson Roberts Lifestyles for Spoleto.

MANY MORE BLOGS TO COME.

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Magical Mothers Deserve the BEST Gifts! Lawson's Perfect Mother's Day Gifts

if you're mother is any thing like mine, she had a huge  almost unmistakable influence in your life. So with that being said, every year I challenge myself to find some really great non traditional gift for her. I mean let's face it flowers are fine, but so kind of overdone and overplayed. So here are some really fun options that you can get mom this year and gain some mega points.  Remember, your secret is safe with me as well.

One of the biggest gifts you can give mom this year is the gift of your time. Make dinner (and wash the dishes.) Hand write a card for her telling her how much she means to you. They say, one of the greatest gifts one can give to anyone else is the gift of themselves.

Now on with ideas that you can buy that are tres chic!!

Custom Fingerprint Jewelry Heart Necklace Personalized Sterling Silver

This next item is available at Etsy.com.

Custom Fingerprint Jewelry Heart Necklace Personalized Sterling Silver.   They take the mold of your print, and cut it into the shape of a free-form heart. 

Then a jump ring is attached, and your choice of a Swarovski birthstone charm is added, wrapped in sterling silver wire .$94.99

                   The Custom Canvas Family Story

Make your family story as unique as your family. A modern take on the family story, this is custom made using your family information. Totally personalized using your words or phrases that are meaningful to you and your family.

You provide the information, and they will design and layout to create a unique one of a kind Family Tree Story.

Professionally printed on high quality canvas and hand wrapped around a wooden frame. Available in many colors 

$129.00 available also at etsy.com

Gardenia Bonsai

A deluxe Gardenia Bonsai is a sight to behold. Perfect for a patio or outdoor garden, this is a substantial tree that is sure to impress! Tree stands approximately 14-16 inches tall and 12" wide. Bonsai will not bloom year-round; bonsai may arrive in a non-blooming stage September to April. Care instructions are included. $99.98. This is available online at www.proplants.com

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