Scheherazade is a prominent figure from the collection of Middle Eastern folk tales known as One Thousand and One Nights. She is often regarded as the ultimate storyteller, using her wit and creativity to captivate the sultan with a never-ending tale. The magic of Scheherazade lies in her ability to blend reality and fantasy, creating a world that keeps the sultan enthralled night after night. Scheherazade's story begins with a sultan who, disillusioned by the infidelity of his first wife, decides to marry a new bride each night and execute her the following morning. When it is Scheherazade's turn to be the sultan's bride, she devises a plan to save herself and countless other women. Instead of succumbing to fear and resignation, Scheherazade decides to use the power of storytelling to change the sultan's heart.
Instead of succumbing to fear and resignation, Scheherazade decides to use the power of storytelling to change the sultan's heart. Night after night, Scheherazade weaves tales of adventure, romance, and magic. Her stories carry the sultan and the reader on a journey through mystical lands, encountering exotic characters and facing moral dilemmas.
Go Now: Magic Rat
The new Fort Collins bar—which doubles as a live music venue—is stylish and mellow, plus the drinks are all under $10.
Daliah Singer May 8, 2018At Magic Rat, expect fun takes on classic cocktails, such as the Free Money (pictured), which combines whiskey, amaro, sweet vermouth, and house bitters. Photo by Adam Larkey
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From the jewel-toned sofas to the bright pink coffee table book by Pharrell to the a drink list where everything is $9 or less, it’s clear as soon as you walk into Magic Rat that this isn’t your typical craft cocktail bar. The Fort Collins watering hole opened in the new Elizabeth Hotel in December.
“It’s the halfway point between your neighborhood dive bar and a fancy cocktail bar,” says Brandon Wise, vice president of beverage operations for Sage Restaurant Group, which operates the hotel’s food and beverage offerings. (The Elizabeth was developed, in part, by Denver’s Sage Hospitality.) “Order an old fashioned or a PBR and feel just as comfortable doing both.”
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The menu showcases that range. The 18-beer list is mostly Colorado-sourced, with FoCo’s Horse & Dragon Brewing Company selections served alongside Montucky Cold Snacks. The cocktails are straightforward, well-balanced, and stirred with local spirits; there’s a Mule and a play on a daiquiri and a citrusy gin tipple called God Save The Queen. (Expect some lighter options to hit the menu when summer arrives and the patio opens.) The wine selection is equally low-key: four varietals—Chardonnay, rosé, sparkling rosé, and a red blend—all from House Wine. Whatever drink you opt for, expect it to arrive straw-free. Like many Colorado restaurants, the Elizabeth’s food and booze spots have ditched straws in an effort to reduce waste and other environmental harms caused by the utensil, which never biodegrades.
Food is limited to a serve-yourself popcorn machine, but hungry patrons can head over to the Emporium Kitchen and Wine Market on the other end of the hotel lobby. Stop by the New American restaurant, which also houses a coffee shop and wine market, for classic “moules frites” made with Bangs Island mussels or the hearty bison bourguignon.
Keeping with the site’s music theme (the hotel has a music lending library where guests can check out instruments to use during their stay, for example), Magic Rat doubles as a live music venue. Most of the shows are free, and the lineup is centered around Centennial State musicians. (Follow the bar’s Facebook page for the most up-to-date show details.) The Rider, a shareable $40 drink order—four PBRs, four airplane-size bottles of Jack Daniel’s, snacks (M&M’s, beef jerky), and a couple of kitschy toys—is based on the tour riders musicians request.
The name itself—Magic Rat—is a reference to a character in Bruce Springsteen’s “Jungleland.” (There’s also a rye whiskey cocktail named after the epic song.) But you don’t have to be a music historian, or a hard-core Boss fan, to enjoy Magic Rat. The retro aesthetic, wallet-friendly prices, and sociable staff make the bar a welcome addition to Old Town. The live music is just a bonus.
111 Chestnut St., Fort Collins, 970-493-4120
Daliah Singer is an award-winning writer and editor based in Denver. You can find more of her work at daliahsinger.com.
The menu showcases that range. The 18-beer list is mostly Colorado-sourced, with FoCo’s Horse & Dragon Brewing Company selections served alongside Montucky Cold Snacks. The cocktails are straightforward, well-balanced, and stirred with local spirits; there’s a Mule and a play on a daiquiri and a citrusy gin tipple called God Save The Queen. (Expect some lighter options to hit the menu when summer arrives and the patio opens.) The wine selection is equally low-key: four varietals—Chardonnay, rosé, sparkling rosé, and a red blend—all from House Wine. Whatever drink you opt for, expect it to arrive straw-free. Like many Colorado restaurants, the Elizabeth’s food and booze spots have ditched straws in an effort to reduce waste and other environmental harms caused by the utensil, which never biodegrades.
Through her stories, Scheherazade introduces the sultan to the power of love, forgiveness, and redemption. Each story ends with a cliffhanger, prompting the sultan to keep Scheherazade alive for one more night to hear the outcome. Scheherazade's magic lies not only in her storytelling prowess but also in her ability to evoke empathy and compassion in the sultan. With each passing night, the sultan becomes invested in the fate of the characters in Scheherazade's tales. He learns to appreciate the value of wisdom and experience, moving away from his previous notions of power and control. Beyond the tales themselves, the magic of Scheherazade is rooted in the resilience, intelligence, and bravery she embodies. She uses her words and imagination to challenge societal norms and reshape the fate of those around her. Scheherazade becomes a symbol of hope, showing that even in the face of adversity, the power of storytelling can change hearts and minds. In addition to the magic she brings to the sultan's life, Scheherazade also serves as an inspiration to readers worldwide. Her ability to find strength in the face of danger and transform her circumstances through the power of storytelling resonates with individuals from all walks of life. Scheherazade teaches us that even in the darkest of times, there is always a glimmer of hope, waiting to be discovered through the enchantment of narrative. In conclusion, the magic of Scheherazade lies not only in her ability to spin captivating tales but also in her transformative impact on the sultan and readers alike. She proves that the power of storytelling knows no bounds and has the potential to change perspectives, heal wounds, and inspire the human spirit. Through her stories, Scheherazade reminds us of the beauty and resilience that lies within each of us, waiting to be uncovered and shared..
Reviews for "The Intoxicating Spells of Scheherazade's Enchantments"
1. John - 1 star
"The magic of Schehefazade was a complete disappointment for me. The plot felt rushed and poorly developed, with no depth or real direction. The characters were bland and lacked any kind of complexity. It was hard to even care about what was happening to them. Additionally, the writing style was subpar, with awkward sentence structures and repetitive phrases. Overall, I found this book to be a waste of time."
2. Sarah - 2 stars
"I had high hopes for The Magic of Schehefazade, but it fell flat for me. The story started off intriguing, but soon became convoluted and confusing. There were too many subplots and unnecessary details that did not add anything to the overall narrative. The characters were also poorly developed and difficult to connect with. While there were some moments of potential, the execution was lacking, resulting in a disappointing read."
3. Mark - 1 star
"The Magic of Schehefazade was a complete letdown. The writing was amateurish and filled with grammatical errors that distracted from the story. The dialogue was unrealistic and stilted, making it difficult to believe in the interactions between characters. The pacing was also off, with too much time spent on irrelevant details and not enough on the main plot. I was expecting a magical and captivating tale, but instead, I was left feeling bored and underwhelmed."
4. Emily - 2 stars
"I was not impressed with The Magic of Schehefazade. The storyline had potential, but it fell short in execution. The narrative was often confusing and hard to follow, with too many plot twists and turns that didn't make sense. The characters lacked depth and development, making it hard to invest in their journeys. Additionally, the editing was subpar, with numerous grammatical errors that distracted from the reading experience. Overall, this book failed to live up to its promising concept."