Esplanade

An esplanade or promenade is a long, open, level area, usually next to a river or large body of water, where people may walk. The original meaning of esplanade was a large, open, level area outside fortress or city walls to provide clear fields of fire for the fortress' guns. In modern usage the space allows people to walk for recreational purposes; esplanades are often on sea fronts, and allow walking whatever the state of the tide, without having to walk on the beach. Esplanades became popular in Victorian times when it was fashionable to visit seaside resorts. A promenade, often abbreviated to '(the) Prom', was an area where people - couples and families especially - would go to walk for a while in order to 'be seen' and be considered part of 'society'.

In North America, esplanade has another meaning, being also a median (strip of raised land) dividing a roadway or boulevard. Sometimes they are just strips of grass, or some may have gardens and trees. Some roadway esplanades may be used as parks with a walking/jogging trail and benches.

Promenade (musical)

Promenade was an experimental musical comedy with book and lyrics by María Irene Fornés and music by Rev. Al Carmines, originally produced off-Broadway by Edgar Lansbury and Joseph Beruh. In a review in The New York Times for a 1983 New York revival, Stephen Holden linked the production to the Theatre of the Absurd: "This work, which suggests a mixture of Candide and Samuel Beckett viewed through Lewis Carroll's looking glass, is a little too avant-garde and absurdist to appeal to mainstream tastes. But in its odd way it's an exquisite piece of musical theater."

Original production

Promenade premiered on April 9, 1965 at the Judson Poets' Theatre, Judson Memorial Church, 55 Washington Square, NYC, where it played for three weekends.

It went on to a commercial run off-Broadway at the Promenade Theatre (for which it was named), produced by Edgar Lansbury and Joseph Beruh, opening on June 4, 1969. The cast was led by Madeline Kahn, playing the role of the Servant, also including Shannon Bolin, Ty McConnell, Gilbert Price, Alice Playten, Michael Davis, and Carrie Wilson. When Kahn left Promenade to make her first film What's Up, Doc?, she was replaced by Sandra Schaeffer, an unknown singer from the NYC Opera and understudied by Marie Santell. After Schaeffer, the producers brought in Pamela Hall (who went on to direct the revival of Promenade in 2010). After a successful run, Promenade closed on January 18, 1970 after 259 performances.

Promenade (shopping centre)

The Promenade Shopping Centre (known as the Promenade Mall or the Promenade, and branded as CF Promenade) is a large regional shopping centre located in the area of Thornhill, Ontario Stores include American Eagle, H&M With more than 170 Retailers in 879,000 sq ft (81,700 m²) of retail space, the shopping centre is anchored by Sears, T & T Supermarket, Rainbow Cinemas, H&M and Old Navy. Other retailers include Aritzia, Lululemon, Swarovski, American Eagle Outfitters, Coach and Aroma Espresso Bar.

Transportation

Public Transit

YRT, TTC, and Viva routes connect to the terminal that is located near the mall.

Notable events

In August 1986, the first Yogen Früz store in the world was opened at the mall by the local Serruya brothers.

Also in 1986, Teriyaki Experience (formerly "Made in Japan") opened its first store.

References