The Moore Theatre

 

The hotel where we are staying was built in the early 1900's and the building also incorporates the Moore Theatre which opened in 1907.  The above photo, from the web, shows the building in 1910.

 

This morning we went for a guided tour around the building led by two volunteers.  It was a fascinating insight into the history of the theatre and a great behind the scenes look at how everything works.

 

  From the beginning of the tour in the grand foyer - lined with marble columns and granite paneling, it was clear that it had been lavishly built.

 

In its heyday, the theatre had space for 2,400 people and had a number of grand boxes at each side of the auditorium.

 

With new seating and different seat arrangements the theatre now seats 1500 and is a very impressive sight when viewed from the stage.

 

This photo shows the stage from the top of the high gallery, which felt very high indeed. 

 

 Originally and sadly this gallery was created, with its own separate side entrance and stone staircase, for African Americans to attend the theatre, segregated away from the main foyer and auditorium.

 

 

The gallery did have an amazing view, not only of the very ornate ceiling and chandelier but also of the semi circle of stained glass windows which are almost invisible from elsewhere in the theatre.

 

It was fascinating to see the stage from in front and behind..

 

Particularly as we were attending a performance there tonight..

 

It was performed by the Drama Group of a local high school but was very professionally done.  No photos allowed during the performance but I took a quick one of the walk down at the end..

 

Off to Seattle

 

As David has a meeting in Seattle on Monday we decided to come for the weekend.  Looking at the weather forecast this morning, we thought that we might see our first snow of the season - however, by the time we arrived it was just rain.

 

At Dulles they are getting into the holiday mood with an inflatable plane above the rail shuttle.

 

Very festive and David rather fancied it for the front lawn!

 

In Seattle the decorations reflected the surrounding countryside.

 

At the hotel an unusual tree.  It is real but has been quite heavily 'frosted'..

 

The unusual  decorations feature a very fluffy owl and sprigs of large artificial flowers.

 

Russian Art for the Tree

 

At the beginning of last week when I visited the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond to see the beautiful Faberge treasures, I also visited the museum shop.

 

There were several trees full of ornaments inspired by the Faberge eggs, by Russian icons and by other works of art in the Russian collection.

 

The decorations themselves were quite impressive - beautifully detailed.

 

 

 

No, I didn't buy any.  I was tempted, but the prices were as spectacular as the baubles themselves!

Christmas at Reston Town Centre

 

In the town centre this morning to go to the hairdresser, the weather could not have been more different to yesterday - with clear blue skies and sunshine.

 

The ice rink was quiet!

 

Close up the town centre Christmas tree featured almost football sized baubles and full size lanterns!

 

In the foyer of the Hyatt hotel, a gingerbread village..

 

Complete with steam train!

Reston's Used Bookstore

 

At Lake Anne today it was pouring with rain and I popped into the second hand book shop to enquire about a book for a friend.

 

The bookstore is right on the Plaza by the lake and is very cosy and quirky.

 

It had a great children's corner.

 

It would be a great place to choose a book and settle down to read!

 

Unfortunately despite a stock of hundreds of books, they didn't have the one that I wanted - but I will definitely visit again!

 

Colourful Cakes & Cookies

 

It must seem as if I spend a lot of time gazing at the cakes and cookies in the supermarket. 

The seasonally decorated iced sugar cookies just happen to be next to the queue for the Pharmacy counter.  Some interesting designs.  This one wasn't so obviously Christmasy, but these are unmistakable..

 

Another unusual design..

 

As if Cookies aren't bad enough, there are also seasonal doughnuts!

 

 

Miniature Worlds

 

Last Sunday when we visited the Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens in Richmond to see the Holiday Lights, we also visited a display in the Library there of dolls houses and miniature rooms, lent by their owners or makers.

 

There was quite a diverse collection of miniature work, some  created in quite unusual containers..

 

A whisky box..

 

A terrarium..

It was an interesting exhibit with tiny details to notice in each room set..