It’s been kind of a tradition for the last few years that on my Twin Siblings (Patrick and Sarah) birthday I take them out somewhere rather than giving them a gift. This year we took a trip to the Shedd Aquarium (http://www.sheddaquarium.org/). Unfortunately, I didn’t take them there until June 15th which is an entire month after their birthday (sorry guys!).
So this year was a big birthday, 16! That kind of makes you feel old when your siblings start hitting those milestone birthdays. But, it’s a good thing too… We get along really well now, and we’re all really good friends. Just in the last couple of months I’ve really started to get to know my brother and sister more than just as an older sister, it’s really nice. I’ve always liked hanging our with them. But, it’s nice now to be able to talk to them as well, about life, dance, whatever.
Their off to The Rock School of Ballet (http://www.therockschool.org/) for the summer (in fact their moving into their dorms todaty) and I wish them the best of luck. I know they’ll have a great time getting to take from all sorts of new teachers (secretly though, I can’t wait for them to be back).
Anyway… I got a little off topic. The Aquarium….
I was sick that day, but it was really our last shot before they left for the summer, so we went. Aside for getting lost in Chicago for a good 45 minutes, everything worked out great. We hung around, looked at fish, got Popcorn, Cookies, Corn Dogs (Pat got a hamburger), Ice Cream…. All in all a good day. I can’t wait to see where we choose to go next year. 
Pictures and a dorky little video from our trip
It has been a month for shows!
Yesterday I went to see my good friend Meagan Little (she plays Hope Cladwell) in the River View Theater Company’s performance of Urinetown. Yes that is the name of the musical, and no, it’s not bad. I’ve listened to the songs of the show and did a little research about the show before I went (I’m just that kind of theater goer) but I was not prepared for the show to be as good as it was.
The show is just wildly funny and the vocals of the cast was amazing, everything from the set to the choreography captivated my attention. Even just little staging details that you pick up on… Hear no Evil, See no Evil, Speak no Evil. Staging with a candlestick, rope, knife, wrench, etc… (a la CLUE). And although some of the cast told me that they dropped lines/cracked on stage, I wasn’t able to tell. I just thought that it was a fabulous show.
The Riverview seemed to be a very well run company, especially for being in it’s first season… So kudos founders Angie Kells (who also directed the show) and Jeff Cook (who was the light and sound board technician). I also feel that I should mention that David “Doc” Lindquist’s (who also plays Caldwell B. Cladwell) and Angie Kells’ choreography was great for the show and really fit the songs. Just excelent.
See for yourself.
I’m here!
Cop Song (ooh Flashlights!)
Little Sally counts her money
Hope listens to Bobby’s Heart
Shhh….
Ah, there it is. It’s saying…..We all want a world, Filled with peace and joy……
Officer Lockstock, Caldwell B. Cladwell & Officer Barrel Dance
Poor Hope
Oh Yes! Urinetown is still playing for another weekend. At the Memorial Civic Theater in Richmond IL.
May 16th @ 8:00PM
May 17th @ 3:00PM and 8:00PM
May 18th @ 7:00PM
So if you have the chance and are close by, check it out. You won’t regret it, it’s just a great show.
Learn more! http://www.riverviewtheatre.org/default.aspx
As it always seems to happen, when I go and see one show on a weekend I have another to go to as well.
Todays show was of a different nature, I went to go see my friends (Tess, Bill and Robin) perform with the AHCCB. This was Bills first time playing with the band and I’m thrilled that I was able to see him do it. Well Done!
This talented group of musicians performed their concert “When East Meets West” and the songs were great. The most memorable for me were “Medley from ‘Miss Saigon” and “Horse on the Prairie”. The latter of which was written by one of the bands members Taka Urayama, and I must say that it was a pretty amazing piece.
Although I tried to just sit and enjoy the music, I felt I needed to capture some of this show on (digital) film. So here are a few of the shots I got during the show.
The Full Band Waiting
Tess Waiting
The Conductor (Adam La Spata) Takes a bow after the first song
Barbara Decker Wachholz sings “Into the West”
Bill and Tess at Intermission
Bill, Tess, Mollie and Maz (he’s there I swear!) hang out before intermission is over.
Adam Explains his Outfit
(it represents the east while Adam is the West, East Meets West, get it?)
The Band Takes their Final Bow
It was great to be able to see the band perform again, it’s always a treat. I can’t wait until the 4th of July parade/concert! Today was especially great since Pattie, Bill, Mollie and Tess will be leaving for Springfield tomorrow. It’s always nice to hang out with them. Have a great time guys! Come home safe!
This post has been updated from it’s original version. Since there are nice people on youtube who posted last nights show I thought it was only fair to post the songs from that show. After all, the venue was awesome and so was the audience.
So last night I saw Jonathan Coulton at the Lakeshore Theater.
He wrote the song at the end of the game Portal (which is amazing, both the song and the game, everyone should play it). I won’t post that song here because it would ruin the game for anyone who has not played it (I think).
The show was pretty amazing. Lot’s of fun, lots of audience participation. I hadn’t heard many of his songs before going to the concert, really just the portal song, and Ikea, but I like his sound very much.
If you’re interested you can go to his store and listen to all his songs (http://www.jonathancoulton.com/store/downloads).
Here’s one of the songs he played last night. The slide show can be found by itself on youtube, but since I found a taping of last nights show I thought I would post this.
I like it, I like it alot.
The opening act was Paul and Storm but not only were they the opening act, they also sang with Jonathan (and he sang with them. Which made for a fun opening, closing, combined sort of show.
This is one of the songs they played together last night.
At the end of the night I had Jonathan Coulton sign my arm. And I went home happy.
It was great, especially for my first concert ever.
“Our House” (by Crosby Stills Nash & Young) was going through my head on my drive home tonight. This song reminds me of home, my home that I share with Chris now, the home I had with my parents and siblings… And it makes me dream of the home I will someday have that will be not only for me, but for my future family.
Enjoy.
If you haven’t lately, allow yourself to slip away and think about your house, and all the things, people and memories that make it a home. Your home.
Sweeney Todd “The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” (an adaptation of the stage musical) is an amazing Horror/Musical film directed by Tim Burton and starring Johnny Depp as Sweeney Todd, Helena Bonham Carter as Mrs. Lovett and Alan Rickman as Judge Turpin. It took me forever to see this movie but I now find myself infatuated with it and the music attached to it.
Okay, so it can be a little gory at times. But the blood and gore are done in a stylized way and were not too disturbing. There is also some crass language, but the bulk of both of these are done in song which makes them easier to stomach I think.
I can’t get the music out of my head. One of my favorite songs is “My Friends” (below). I love the melody and the vocals at the end of the song.
Note: the original video I had posted here was taken off of Youtube because of copyright issues (no I didn’t put it up…) I’ve replaced it with one that only shows pictures from the movie and fixed some of this post to reflect that change.
While I can listen to the whole soundtrack, I find myself repeating this song as well as “Pretty Women” and “Epiphany”.
The use of color in this film is amazing. As you can see from the pictures in the clip above the bulk of the film is shot dark and moody. Which makes the scene where Mrs Lovett is singing about her dreams (in the song By the Sea) really stand out as it is done in really happy colors.
I love Johnny Depp in creepy roles and him singing is a bonus. I think that he and Helena blend their voices beautifully.
If your interestead and haven’t seen the movie yet I would. Also if you haven’t visited the site http://www.sweeneytoddmovie.com/ I would do that as well, it’s got all sorts of fun stuff on it. I enjoyed this movie so much and now that I’ve finished with this post I will be watching it again.
I get lost in the music, lost in the way my fingers graze the keys, the way my internal rhythm effects the rhythm of the music. I enjoy the way music sounds when I am the one playing it. It’s hard to explain. I don’t think I’m very good but… There is something so soothing/relaxing/healing about the way playing music makes me feel.
I suppose I could just teach myself how to play, but I want to do it right. I have a wonderful teacher (who happens to be a friend of mine and like a sister to me) Tess, who is an amazing piano player herself and a gifted teacher. I don’t think I will ever play like Tess does. She inspires me, she helps me, she is SO encouraging. Plus, taking lessons with her gives me an excuse to hang out with her (though I suppose that means that I’m paying her to be my friend…)
Anyway, piano is my thing. My just for me thing. I play, for no other reason than… I’ve always wanted to.
What’s your “Something Just for Yourself”?
Filed under: Music
I haven’t bought a CD “just because” in a very long time. I’m always buying CD’s because I can see myself using them for class, or I want to choreograph to them. But a few weeks ago I ran out to the store during my lunch break to buy this CD just for me…
I heard an interview with Mike Doughty on NPR and they played some of his music. Not only was his music very good. But Mike himself was funny and eloquent. I don’t normally care too much about the kind of person that makes the music. If I like the music I’ll buy it. If I don’t, I won’t. But Mike intrigued me and even before they played his music I knew I would have to get his CD. And once they did play some of his songs… I was hooked.
The song 27 Jennifers is especially good. I like the beat and the lyrics.
In every generation there are always a few popular names and it’s an interesting topic to pick for a song. I also really enjoy the song I got the drop on you. But honestly, this is one of those CD’s that I can listen to start – finish.
If you have a chance, I recommend borrowing this CD from the library. Or take my word that it’s great and go out and buy it.
