Dreamscapes Travel & Lifestyle Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dreamscapes.ca/i/725964
DREAMSCAPES FALL 2016 42 and pepper shakers and carrying our over- sized cheeseburgers, Stephanie picks up the microphone and effortlessly croons I Can't Help Falling in Love with You. I ask for a chocolate sundae just to hear Larry, the cook, serenade the couple next to our table. SOMETHING DIFFERENT Tonight I'm in for a treat at the Shoji Tabuchi Show. Famous for his 26-year fid- dling variety show, Japanese-born Tabuchi, now over 70, looks super youthful in his jet black hair and decadent sequined blazers. "Do you want to hear the polka?" Tabuchi beckons the eager audience. Daughter Christina, a versatile performer, whirls around the stage in elaborate outfits belting out rock 'n' roll tunes while her father fid- dles away nearby. Equally impressive is the ladies' bath- room in the Shoji Tabuchi Theatre. I duck out minutes before intermission to grab a coveted seat in this spacious restroom, dec- orated with gold carved mirrors and purple crystal chandeliers. Word has it that the men's room has a pool table, but I guess I'll never really know. A few days into my trip I understand why Branson is known for being one of the entertainment capitals in America. Aside from the spectacular shows, there are water parks, zip-lining excursions, great shop- ping and a remarkable Titanic museum (owned by John Joslyn, co-leader of the 1987 expedition that recovered artifacts from the ocean floor). At sunset, I drive to Table Rock Lake to board the Showboat Branson Belle, a romantic gleaming white riverboat, and enjoy a perfectly prepared steak. Funny man, Christopher James, primes the audi- ence with his clever magic acts before introducing Janice Martin, an aerial vio- linist, who plays violin while hanging from aerial silks high above the speechless dinner guests. GOOD OLE TIMES My last day in Branson, I visit Silver Dollar City, an 1800s theme park. Originally built around historic Marvel Cave, Silver Dollar City is also well-known for being the back- drop of several Beverly Hillbillies' episodes. With freezing temperatures outside, I take a rain check on Outlaw Run—a wooden roller coaster—and warm up inside a 19 th -century- looking cabin, drinking apple cider and eating freshly baked peanut butter cookies. Enticed by the bluegrass music playing in the next room, I pull up a chair chuckling along with the gruff-looking guys in denim over- alls who play their banjos and share silly jokes about the Hill people of Missouri. Filled to the brim with Christmas cheer, I snuggle up to friends under the gazebo to keep warm and shout "hello" to Rudolph and Santa as they pass us by in an impressive parade glowing with millions of lights. T R A V E L P L A N N E R Trivago.com recently named Branson the Best Value City in America for 2016. American Airlines (aa.com) offers service from Toronto to Springfield, Missouri. Branson is less than an hour's drive from the Springfield airport. For accommodation, consider the Hilton Branson conveniently located in the heart of downtown Branson (conventioncenter.hiltonsofbranson.com). For more information, visit: Branson/Lakes Area Convention and Visitors Bureau: ExploreBranson.com Silver Dollar City: silverdollarcity.com The Grand Village Shops: grandvillageshops.com BELOW: During intermission, sneak a peek at the Shoji Tabuchi Theatre's luxurious award-winning women's powder room. Rena Godfrey CENTRE: Aerial violinist, Janice Martin, wows the dinner crowd while playing her violin in mid-air aboard the Showboat Branson Belle. BOTTOM: It's a Christmas wonderland on Main Street at Silver Dollar City theme park. Branson/Lakes Area CVB DS