CASINO ROYALE

 

Last weekend when the Mother arrived,she was quite surprised to find out that I had a action filled schedule for her. As you know, I took her to see Well-Strung String Quartet, and dinner before that. Sunday I cooked her a whole dinner here at the Casa. But Monday I took off and took her to Parx Casino. She loves herself some high roller games tables and slots. Me? Not so much. The only thing I gamble and high roll with is a few good men!!!! But she enjoys it,  and it was her weekend to have fun. Usually I find casinos tacky looking, one reason I never cared to go to Las Vegas, with all that neon, theme hotels and just to much glitz. But being at Parx before, I knew they had phenomenal lighting. And this time I got the skinny from one of the clientele host on these gems.......

 

 

I found out these rondel chandeliers are created by master blower Rick Strini. And I thought I was a master blower!

 

 

Now celebrating  50 years in glass, a master in glass blowing and nationally recognized Rick Strini was one of the first artists to revive the age old tradition of Italian-European glass blowing in the United States.  Strini was influential in the start up of the 1960's Studio Glass movement and continues to this day making Art Glass. Each of Rick's works of art are individually crafted by his own hands. His brilliant artistry is only limited by the length of his arm and every nuance in shape, design, color and luminescence is derived from the heart and soul of the artist. Strini is rare among glass artists in that he controls the process from the beginning to the end. Part chemist, craftsman, artist , Rick creates a unique hot glass palette for each piece and personally signs and dates each one. I just love the vibrant colors........

 

 

 

I have never seen anything like them!!! So artistic and eye catching no? Parx definelty prides itself on supporting the arts. Outside, at the entrance is this object de art....

 

 

This monumental sculpture of a regal 25-ton horse head has literally crossed the pond for its new home at the legendary casino and racetrack. Parx Casino welcomed the internationally acclaimed sculpture “Horse at Water” ,a 34-foot high bronze masterpiece and is on public display in America for the first time after having been at one of London’s most famous landmarks, the Marble Arch. The sculpture is the work  of Nic Fiddian-Green, known internationally for his massive renderings of horses. As a display of public art, the horse head is at the entrance to the casino and track in an expansive landscaped area, and it pays homage to Parx with their involvement in the equine world and the sculpture honors that origin. I could have probably sat in the nostril of the horse's nose.

 

Back inside,  more sparkling glitters to catch my attention....

 

 

We grabbed a cock-a-tail or two at the Parx Grill before hitting the slots.

 

 

It was a very good time, and the good news was my Mother doubled her money,  and I made $160 extra I didn't go in with. That's a night of  G&T'S for the Mistress.

 

 Special Thanks to Parx Casino and Race Track for allowing me to snap some pictures of the beautiful lighting and for their info about the artist and lighting.