REWIND: Planet Hawaii, Signs of the Islands on Earth (DC, 2008)

Tucked into a corner of the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian was the only exhibit piece devoted to the native Hawaiians (well, at least during this December 2008 visit). I asked someone at the information desk if there were other pieces about the indigenous population of the USA's 50th state and was told that exhibits are rotated and it's possible there are other artifacts not on display.

So here it is, a photo of the Native Hawaiian Canoe (pictured above) albeit one that was constructed in 2003. The canoe is made of koa, hau and wili-wili woods. The hull measures 18 feet and the outrigger is 8 feet 5 inches.

Opened in September 2004, the museum is the 16th museum of the Smithsonian Institution and was built on the last open space available on the National Mall. The five-story 250,000-square foot museum building has an unusual architecture compared to other Smithsonian museums. The curvilinear structure of textured golden-colored limestone evokes natural rock formations and is set in a 4.25-acre site with wetlands and boulders. The centerpiece of the interior is a 120-foot-high atrium.

The museum is located 4th & Independence Ave, SW in Washington, DC. Hours 10am-5:30pm daily. Admission is free. Cafe & gift shop is on site. More info at www.nmai.si.edu.

Above & below: the musuem's atrium ceiling hovers
above the ground floor.

REWIND: Union Station Holidays (DC, 2008)

The facade of Union Station stretches 600 feet in total.
The unusual background was taken strictly by accident.

With New Year's Eve just around the corner, let's keep the Christmas feeling alive a bit longer with a look back at Union Station in Washington, DC all decked for the holidays. These photos are from a visit in December 2008.

Union Station opened in 1907 and is visited by over 32 million people each year. The terminal is served by commuter railroads such as Amtrak, the Washington Metro and buses.

The main hall ceiling reaches 96 feet above the floor.

Of particular note is the beaux-arts style architecture and vaulted ceiling of the main hall and concourse. As of this writing the train concourse level is being renovated. More than 100 shops and 35 food establishments from fast food to fine dining are located on three levels within the station. In austere downtown DC, this is one the few contained "shopping mall" experiences near the National Mall. During freezing winters or hot summers, the indoor comfort of this landmark becomes even more attractive.

More info at unionstationdc.com.

The three level concourse. 

Main Hall. Like an airport, boards announce rail schedules.

Holiday model train display in the main hall

REWIND: Planet Hawaii, Signs of the Islands on Earth (DC, 2008)

Hibiscus

The southeast corner of the United States Botanic Garden Conservatory is devoted to the Hawaii exhibit. It features the rare and endangered species of the country's 50th state.

Among the endangered plants is the Hawaii state flower: the hibiscus. Threats such as development, overgrazing by livestock and feral animals and competition from invasive weeds have reduced the number of plants surviving in the wild. Currently there are less than 60 plants in 8 populations on the islands of Lana'i, Maui and the Big Island.

The conservatory emphasizes the value of plants to society. The present building opened in 1933. (note: all photos Dec 2008)

Above & below: plants in the Hawaii exhibit.

This is not from Hawaii. I just thought this cactus looked interesting.

Facade and main entrance of conservatory (Dec 2008)

REWIND: Windows to Wonderland (DC, 2008)

For this Christmas Day here's a look back at 'Windows to Wonderland' at the United States Botanic Garden Conservatory during a visit to Washington, DC in December 2008. Every year the conservatory presents an annual holiday display with a different theme.

The display is one of those things that brings the feeling of wonder that makes you feel like a kid again. The Wonderland is different hamlets including a Santa's village, mountain castle, caterpillar garden and gremlin garden all connected by trains. The multiple trains run overhead and through tunnels.

In the Conservatory's Garden Court, a holiday tree and a replica of the National Mall greet visitors amidst blooming poinsettias. These unique replicas and the Wonderland villages are constructed of natural plant materials. But beware of the crowds. There are workers managing the visitors to be sure they keep moving.

The United States Botanic Garden Conservatory is open to the public, free of charge, every day of the year from 10am-5pm (open for special hours during the holidays). The conservatory is located along the National Mall near the west side of the U.S. Capitol building. More info at www.usbg.gov.

REWIND: Signature's 'Les Miserables' (2008) Part 2

Two clips from Signature Theatre in Washington, DC. One about presenting the landmark musical 'Les Miserables' and the second of the construction of the set. The theatre is actually located in the Shirlington village of Arlington, VA. More info at signature-theatre.org.

REWIND: Signature's 'Les Miserables' (2008) Part 1

Since we are in the midst of a current revival of excitement for the epic musical 'Les Miserables' with the recent 25th Anniversary Concert in London, thought it would be of interest to post production photos from the Signature Theatre version. Especially since returning from Washington, DC this past week, this would be an appropriate time for a revisit to Signature's 'Les Mis'.

The production played the Max theatre from December 2008 and extended to March 2009. The production starred Greg Stone as Jean Valjean. He performed the role of Chris in the national touring company of 'Miss Saigon' ten years earlier which made one of its final stops in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Knowing the production would be presented in a small theatre, I wondered how could the production be staged. Just the sheer number of cast members in 'Les Mis' would appear to be direction nightmare.

Greg Stone as Jean Valjean

But director Eric Schaeffer found how to reinterpret the piece for the Signature stage. This 'Les Mis' had an almost punk edge from the appearance of leather-like material in some costumes to the glass and twisted metal comprising the set design.

None of the epic feel of the musical was lost as the production enveloped the audience with the cast making some entrances through the audience. The lack of a proscenium allowed the production to use the full width of the stage.

The performances were equally a surprise especially Stone. He displayed the strapping figure needed to portray the ex-con and a sterling vocal to match. Felicia Curry's harmonic and boyish Eponine was a stand out in the ensemble.

The company on the barricade.

This production set a standard for this reviewer. Theatre companies which try to duplicate the scale of the original production will pale in comparison. Find the right talent to take the stage and more than half the battle is won. As concert versions have proven, the strength is in the score and storytelling.

After 'Les Miserables' and this seasons's 'Sunset Boulevard,' one wonders what production Signature will tackle to match these highlights. For more info on the theatre company and their current and past productions, visit signature-theatre.org.  Click "Read more" below for more production photographs.

The empty barricade set.

The company singing "One Day More"