My blog inspiration book, Little Golden Books, reminds us that, “Christmas is a time to go all out.” That is just what Cirque Dreams Holidaze is all about-going all out and celebrating everything “Holidaze.” I thought that after Christmas day, this show would keep the energy going. It did that with jazzed up variety and circus acts plus a lot of glitz.
A way to survive the empty nest and a "cracked "relationship with a fun daily challenge of new experiences, reflections, sources, and some biblical guidance. I hope this blog which offers a fun journey to survive by trying something new, either vicariously or by doing, will result in a survival tool kit to replace the past familiar doing, giving, and/or incorporating the interest of your child or your long gone love interest, with some new self interest(s).
Wednesday, December 27, 2017
Day 259 Cirque Dreams Holidaze
I experienced the glitz of Cirque Dreams Holidaze last year. The show is back with it's 10th Anniversary Tour on December 29 and 30th.
My blog inspiration book, Little Golden Books, reminds us that, “Christmas is a time to go all out.” That is just what Cirque Dreams Holidaze is all about-going all out and celebrating everything “Holidaze.” I thought that after Christmas day, this show would keep the energy going. It did that with jazzed up variety and circus acts plus a lot of glitz.
My blog inspiration book, Little Golden Books, reminds us that, “Christmas is a time to go all out.” That is just what Cirque Dreams Holidaze is all about-going all out and celebrating everything “Holidaze.” I thought that after Christmas day, this show would keep the energy going. It did that with jazzed up variety and circus acts plus a lot of glitz.
Monday, December 25, 2017
Merry Christmas 2017
Family |
Sunday, December 24, 2017
Day 258 Home For the Holidays-Local Talent
One of my blog inspiration books reminds us that at
Christmas, “make time for family and friends” and as we do, we often come home
for the holidays (from Everything I Need to Know About Christmas I Learned From a Little Golden Book). Home for the Holidays was all about our local musical
talent coming home to Pittsburgh and celebrating and sharing their music of rock, blues, and soul, with all of us.
Tuesday, December 19, 2017
Day 257 Nutcracker and Holiday POPs-Pittsburgh Traditions
I have seen
the Nutcracker before (see Day 90) and I love the Pittsburgh Symphony POPs. Many people make going to these shows a holiday tradition. I was
excited to make these two shows mine this year and experience the beauty of the
Nutcracker with the peacefulness
and brilliance of Tchaikovsky’s score, and the Holiday POPs with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Mendelssohn Choir, and vocal
soloists for an explosion of holiday cheer.
Saturday, December 16, 2017
Day 255-Midnight Radio: A Christmas Story-Bricolage Theater-Don't Shoot Your Eye Out
It’s a Christmas tradition for my son and I to watch the 1983 iconic movie, A Christmas Story that takes place on Cleveland Street, Indiana in the 1940’s. We laugh every year at Ralphie’s quest for a Red Ryder, carbine action, two-hundred shot BB gun for Christmas and his father’s acquisition of the “major award” leg lamp.
I try to put a little "Christmas Story" action into my holiday plans every year (see Day 148 and Day 221). When I heard that Midnight Radio: A Christmas Story was a recreation of the movie in a 1940’s radio show format, I was ready again to experience the hilarious scenes and laugh at that classic advice -"You'll shoot your eye out"!
Thursday, December 7, 2017
Day 254 Adam Trent-Magician Illusionist-theatrical magic
As a kid I was fascinated with magic and even got my first magic kit for Christmas at the age of eight. Just like kids, we want to believe in magic, see the impossible and believe in the impossible. Since I love both theater and magic I was ready to experience Adam Trent who gives you both by combining magic with special lighting, effects, music, dance and comedy in his show-theatrical magic (watch here).
Monday, December 4, 2017
Day 253 Carnegie Museum of Art – Third Thursdays 21+ nights-Winter Skate Party and MORE
Every third Thursday Carnegie Museum of Art (CMOA) stays open for an over 21 themed party. CMOA On Ice was a winter party where you could ice skate in the Hall of Sculptures and more.
Now that is a new experience. I love art and winter so I was excited to join
in the museum’s winter celebration and
ice skate at the museum!
Friday, December 1, 2017
Day 252 Humans-Pittsburgh Public Theater-Family Together for the Holidays
One of my Blog inspiration books, Everything
I Learned about FAMILY I Learned From a Little Golden Book reminds
us that, “Family life is made of moments, big and small, moments that bind us
over time…times that give us a sense of belonging”. The play The Humans is about the dynamics of a middle class family that gather for
Thanksgiving dinner. Brigid Blake invites her parents, sister and grandmother ”Momo”
from Scranton PA, to join her and her boyfriend in New York City’s
Chinatown.
December Preview of Upcoming Events and Posts
Since this blog is all about keeping a forward trajectory in midst of change and reaching your personal best, I wanted to preview some of my planned experiences in the hope that it will inspire some to join in. As Dale Carnegie once said, "Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy." Let's all get busy!
Thursday, November 30, 2017
Day 251 Phipps Conservatory -Wonder of the Season- New Show- New Timed Entry
The weeks surrounding the Holiday Season often involve that panic rush feeling "to get it all done.” We forget, as my blog inspiration book, Everything I Learned About Christmas, I Learned From A Little Golden Book, reminds us that Christmas should be a “time of wonder, a time like no other time of the year.” Phipps Conservatory is a place were you can escape into a world of beautiful plants and lights and relax, feeling the wonder of the season (see Day 180).
Monday, November 27, 2017
Day 250 Charlie Brown Christmas-Live on Stage-Holiday Season Kick Off Like a Kid
I have always loved the 1965 animated television special Charlie Brown Christmas and who doesn’t love that twig of a tree. This iconic cartoon is a Christmas tradition for my son and I. I thought that the "Charlie Brown Christmas-Live on Stage" would be a great way to kick off the Holiday Season. So even though this show is for families I thought- why shouldn't “kids at heart” like me also enjoy the magic? I was ready to experience all my favorite characters and kick off the season just like a kid even if I would be sitting among a bunch of kids!
Saturday, November 25, 2017
Day 249 Happy Thanksgiving-Turkey in a bag-stress free
I stress about making Thanksgiving dinner every year because
I am not that good of a cook (see Day 243). Thanksgiving
is one of my least favorite holidays because cooking the dinner is not a “
labor of love” for this girl but a stress bomb. I also think it’s highly unfair that
during this holiday women slave all day cooking (I know that some men carve or help by deep frying the turkey) but mostly men
get to relax, eat dinner, and watch football. This year instead of making numerous calls to my girlfriend, who takes
on the role as my “turkey line,” I decided to make it stress free by trying a freezer to oven turkey in a bag.
Thursday, November 23, 2017
Day 248 Motown The Musical -Pittsburgh Broadway Series-Can’t get enough
Temptations -Motown the Musical |
I have always loved the Motown sound. If
you are like me, you feel some kind of connection to it that always brings your feet moving, your head
bopping and your mouth singing. That might have been why I had a “musician
connection” for many years before I started this blog that had me listening to
this type of music. Although I took a
reprieve from it in my empty- nest
period, when I heard that the Pittsburgh
Broadway Series was bringing Motown The Musical to town, I was ready to experience
that Motown sound again because it’s the type of music that you just can’t get
enough of!
Friday, November 17, 2017
Day 247-Pittsburgh Broadway Series- Color Purple-Resilient and Strong
Celie and her sister Nettie |
The musical The Color Purple is based on the 1982 novel
by Alice Walker. It is a story about a woman (Celie) who triumphs over life’s hardships in the American south. As my
blog inspired physiologist Maslow would say, she self-actualized or became her personal best. I was a sap and cried tears of joy on her behalf during most of the play's second act when she triumphed over adversity with the strength and resilience given to her from God.
Monday, November 13, 2017
246 Marriage of Figaro-Pittsburgh Opera-Lovely Comedy
Figaro and Susana, Countess and Count |
Reflection
I have discovered a new interest in the opera during
my empty-nest period (see Day 239-Tosca). They all seem to be such “larger than life”
productions with extravagant sets, powerful voices, and beautiful
symphonic music. The Marriage of Figaro was less extravagant than my past experiences but it was filled with wonderfully whimsical music. Much of
Mozart’s 1786 composition, especially the overture, has been played
outside of this opera and thus the music was familiar to my
ears. (listen here)
In this four act opera no one died. In fact, most of the action centered round the playful antics
during a 24 hour period before the impending marriage of Figaro (the
Count Almavia’s head servant) to Susana (the Countess Rosina Almavia’s maid).
The Count (Christian Bowers) had a thing for
Susana (Joella Harvey) and wished to exercise his noble right to take the place of his servant
on his wedding night. He continued to try to delay their wedding. He also tried to force the marriage of Figaro to an old woman, Marcellina (Leah de Gruyl) to satisfy his debt. Then in Act 4 Marcellina discovers that Figaro (Tyler Simpson) is her long lost son.
Figaro gets the girl, Susana |
The Countess (Danielle Pastin) fearing that her husband has lost interest in
her, schemes with Susana and Figaro to teach him a lesson. They convince the
page boy, Cherubino (Corrie Stallings) to dress up as Susana in order to trick the Count. You get the picture, there is a lot of
twist and turns and mistaken identities that result in laughter but in the end the Count
and Countess fall back in love and Figaro gets his girl!
There were 12 strong characters in this opera and many shared the
stage together in song. Since there was so much movement, I often just stopped trying to follow the action and English subtitles and enjoyed the music. Especially in Act 3 when both Susana
(Joelle Harvey) and the Countess (Danielle
Pastin) produced such beautiful soprano melodies.
This light- hearted opera with familiar music and a twist of laughter was a welcomed new
operatic experience. I intend to keep the Pittsburgh Opera Season in my
survival toolbox because thus far, I have enjoyed the diverse variety in their shows.
(Their next show in January, The Long Walk, is a contemporary American
Opera about a solder's struggles after his return from the Iraq war.)
Other Sources
Saturday, November 11, 2017
Day 245 4x4 Ephemeral Architectures -Ballet and Juggling-Beautifully Intimate
Juggling and ballet
is not something that you often
experience together but renowned
juggler, Sean Gandini and Royal Ballet dancer, Ludovic Ondiviela combined their talents in the show,
4x4 Ephemeral Architectures at Wilson
Center recently. This show continues to
receive rave reviews since it opened in
2015 at the London International Mime Festival. Luckily, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust brought this merger of two different art forms
to Pittsburgh. I thought that this would be my first contemporary circus experience but this was something much
better- something beautifully intimate!
Thursday, November 9, 2017
Day 244 The NEW Arcade Comedy Theater –Improv, humors spontaneity
New Arcade Comedy Theater, Liberty Ave, Pittsburgh |
Bringing humor and
laughter to Pittsburgh is a great way
to circumvent some of the unpleasant current events in the news lately and to
combat the impending shortened daylight this time of year. Arcade Comedy Theater is a new comedy venue with a non-profit mission to, “elevate and advance
the art of comedy” and “present fun accessible and affordable
live comedy to Pittsburgh every weekend”.
I was ready to experience some spontaneous
humor through the art of improvisational comedy
during the Grand Opening of the New
Arcade Comedy Theater!
Sunday, November 5, 2017
Day 243 My Great Stress Cook- Off
My blog inspiration book, “Everything I Need to Know I Learned from, a Little Golden Book recommends,
“Learn to cook”. I never thought that I would use that book page in this blog because
I am such a bad cook and I actually really hate to cook. I know it’s shocking -an
Italian girl that does not know how to cook. I wish I had a dime for every time I
heard, “You’re Italian and you don’t cook”!
Today my happiness meter went into the “critical red zone”. Why my stress level was in the red zone: whether it’s a product of work, my relationships, or my child is irrelevant, but what matters is the way I choose to circumvent potential despair. I don’t drink, use drugs, shop much, or sleep it off, so I decided to try something new –cook!
Friday, November 3, 2017
November Preview of Upcoming Events
Since this blog is all about keeping a forward trajectory in midst of change and reaching your personal best, I wanted to preview some of my planned experiences in the hope that it will inspire some to join in. As Dale Carnegie once said, "Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy." Let's all get busy!
Sunday, October 29, 2017
Day 242-Pittsburgh Ballet Opens its Season with Dracula-Beautifully Eerie
What
better way to spend Halloween weekend than with the Pittsburgh Ballet Theather (PBT) Season Opener, "Dracula". One of my favorite
things is going to a ballet because of the beauty but his time the show is based on
something mysterious- Bram Stoker’s 1887 novel. The last time that PBT
preformed this show was in 2011, so I did not want to miss the experience of something
beautifully eerie!
Saturday, October 21, 2017
Day 241 Pittsburgh Broadway Series Opens with "School of Rock" - Powerhouse Kids-A Voice
The Pittsburgh Broadway 2017-18 season opened with "School of Rock”, the musical, with music by Andrew
Lloyd Weber. The play is based on the 2003 movie with the same name. If you like kids then you will love this lighthearted play because the best part of the show is experiencing the kids' powerhouse musical talent as they
perform rock n roll live.
Monday, October 16, 2017
Day 240 Black Violin-Create your own path
My Blog inspiration book, “Everything I Need to Know I Learned from a Little Golden Book” reminds us
to “be unique” and unique is just what you get with Black Violin. Classically
trained violist (Wil B) and violinist (Kev Marcus) fuse classical
music with hip hop, pop and rock. They call their new musical genre “Classical Boom”. Their
music is not just about a new sound but as Wil B said during their show, it is about “breaking stereotypes, thinking outside the box and creating your own path.”
Friday, October 13, 2017
Day 239- Pittsburgh Opera –Tosca-Romance, Loyalty, Love, and Deceit – An explosive musical experience
Mario and Tosca |
Tuesday, October 10, 2017
Day 238-Equus- Pittsburgh Public Theater at the O’Reilly: the power of Worship
I have seen many plays but never one as powerful, as thought provoking, or as visually interesting as Equus. Equus tackles
the question that most of us ask when we hear about a horrific crime or
event-“why?” In this drama, Martin Dysart, a child psychiatrist, searches for the source of the pain in a teenage boy, Alan Strang, that birthed
a horrific act of horse mutilation. As the puzzle unfolds, we discover that the act of worshiping a higher being
or thing can be a powerful catalyst for good or evil.
Tuesday, October 3, 2017
Day 237 Adam Ant-Palace Theater Greensburg-New Wave Icon Just Like I Remembered
I have recently enjoyed
several tribute band’s recreations
of music from the 80’s and 90’s (see Days 220 and 222 ).
Adam Ant is a UK 80’s Punk Rock/New Wave icon. I remembered going to an Adam Ant concert as a 80's high school girl at the now long gone Syria Mosque with my best friend Paul (who quiescently
changed his name to Adam). We dressed in
“new wave” garb by wearing black and
white, garnishing our outfits with safety pins
and adding white stripes under
our eyes. We jumped like crazy to the energetic pulsating drum beat of Adam and the Ants. When I heard that he was touring again I was off to a new venue, The
Palace Theater in Greensburg, to see the real deal and once again experience the high octane music of Adam Ant!
Friday, September 22, 2017
Day 236- Sylvan Esso with Helado Negro- Enigmatic Musical Performances at Stage AE
My blog inspiration book, “Everything I Need to Know I Learned From a Little Golden Book”, reminds us to “be unique” and
to “make music a part of your life.” In my quest to experience varied musical genres (see Days 15, 113, 140, and 122 ), I was excited when Stage AE brought the new music of Sylvan Esso, a duo of Nick Sanborn’s
electronics and Amelia Meath’s unique
voice, to Pittsburgh. Heladro Negro, a Latin singer from
Ecuador who uses “performance art” opened the show. The mysterious sounds and performances of
both of these artists made this enigmatic show such
an enjoyable new experience!
Tuesday, September 12, 2017
Day 235- Experience Art exhibits at August Wilson Center-"Funky Turns 40: Black Character Revolution"
The August Wilson Center, Pittsburgh’s African American Cultural Center, offers interesting shows and exhibits. I recently experienced
Kaki King, a unique visual guitar experience in it’s 472-seat theater (see
Day 234). The center also has multiple
exhibition galleries(see schedule). Recently, by chance, I visited, “Funky
Turns 40: Black Character Revolution”, a show that focused on the significance of the positive change in Saturday morning black
cartoon characters in the 1970's-80’s.
Wednesday, September 6, 2017
Day 234 Try August Wilson Multiple Choice Events- Kaki King a visual explosion and guitar
The August Wilson Center which has a small theater was the perfect intimate setting to
experience Kaki King. She is a unique artist who fuses a visual experience with her distinctive inventive method of guitar
playing. Just like Pink Floyd’s The Wall, her
show is one that you have to see, hear and experience. It’s an escape with an explosion
of light and music (see video) .
Monday, September 4, 2017
Day 233 Labor Day Weekend Heinz Field Rib Fest - food, fun, family and football kickoff tradition
Smokin Joes-a lot of spunk |
I am not even a meat person so to go to the Heinz Field Rib Festival is a little out of my comfort zone as well as
a new experience. Pittsburgh has had a Rib Fest since 1990 when it was held at the now long gone, Three
River Stadium. The pulse of this town is
football and a rib festival seems like the appropriate kick-off to the season since footballs are made from pigskins.
It also could be that ribs are a tailgate favorite and this town goes all out during Steelers and Pitt football tailgates. In
any event, Labor Day and ribs seems to be a deep rooted Pittsburgh tradition. With free admission and
also a great track record of free entertainment, I was off to try a bunch of ribs!
Tuesday, August 22, 2017
Day 232 American Eclipse 2017-Carnegie Science Center-awesome
The rare event of a total solar eclipse exclusive to the US traversing a path across our country
united many Americans as we all looked
up in amazement at this cosmic spectacle. We all had a little "eclipse fever",
or at least I did, and why not, a continuous eclipse in the US has not
happened since 1976 and one exclusive to the US since 1776. Americans everywhere saw various versions of the moon blocking the light of the sun and
those in the direct path saw day turn into night. It was a moment where we
realized how small we are, a speck on this
planet that is just a speck in the universe!
Sunday, August 13, 2017
Day 231 Million Dollar Quartet-Pittsburgh CLO- peak experience of music from the soul
Martin Kaye (Lewis), Billy Finn (Perkins), Derek Keeling (Cash) James Snyder (Presley) |
Self-actualization or reaching one’s personal best according to my blog inspiration psychologist, Maslow, is measured by “peak experiences”
of the world. With a peak experience “there are feelings of euphoria, joy and
wonder”(see simple psychology). A peak musical experience is what happens in Million Dollar Quartet, a show about a single
jam session with four rock and roll/country legends, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins
and Elvis Presley in 1956. This show dramatizes
the historical one time musical moment that took place at Sun Record Studios in Memphis, Tennessee and was latter known as “The Million Dollar Quartet”. This play captures the intensity and feeling of the music that came from the artists’ soul.
Monday, July 31, 2017
Day 230 Pittsburgh CLO-Mamma Mia- a frolic, a vacation
My blog inspiration book “Everything I Need to Know I Learned From a Little Golden Book"
reminds us to “frolic” and a frolic is a good way to describe the musical, “Mamma Mia.” It’s a show based on the songs from the popular 1974 ABBA album with the same title. This show moves with cheerfulness and excited energy from the beginning to the end. You can’t help but relax and enjoy it like a mini vacation as you sing along with the familiar pop/dance album hits "Dancing Queen”, "Knowing Me Knowing You”, "Money, Money, Money”, “Super Trouper”, “SOS”, "Voulez-Vous”, “Thank you for the Music”, “Winner Takes it All” and of course the title track, “Mamma Mia”.
reminds us to “frolic” and a frolic is a good way to describe the musical, “Mamma Mia.” It’s a show based on the songs from the popular 1974 ABBA album with the same title. This show moves with cheerfulness and excited energy from the beginning to the end. You can’t help but relax and enjoy it like a mini vacation as you sing along with the familiar pop/dance album hits "Dancing Queen”, "Knowing Me Knowing You”, "Money, Money, Money”, “Super Trouper”, “SOS”, "Voulez-Vous”, “Thank you for the Music”, “Winner Takes it All” and of course the title track, “Mamma Mia”.
Wednesday, July 26, 2017
Day 229 Common- Hip Hop Rap and the Pittsburgh Symphony-A voice and community.
As I have said before, I never envisioned myself listening to hip
hop rap music but in my effort to try new things, I have
discovered that I enjoy the way the rhythmic chants, like poetry, condenses a message. Rapping at times also gives
a passionate voice to a cause or an issue (Day 170- Rapper Kuf Knots and Day 122-Biz Markie ). Common,
a hip hop rapper, poet, author, and actor, brought
this style of musical expression to the stage with the symphonic sound of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. With the added ensemble
of strings, the musical messages seemed even
more powerful- an amplified voice.
Thursday, July 20, 2017
Day 228 Pittsburgh CLO-Disney’s Newsies-Take a Stand
Jack (Joey Barreiro) and Crutchie (Daniel Quadrino) "Santa Fe" |
I was awestruck with the strength of the energetic male focused dancing which augmented the shows powerful theme for social change when I saw Disney's Newsies in 2013 on Broadway. Pittsburgh’s CLO production had the same
energy and forceful movement that I remembered.
One of my blog
inspiration books, “Everything I Need to Know I Learned From a Little Disney Golden Book” reminds
us that, “you [got to] tap into your inner warrior to do what’s right”*. That is just what Newsies is all about-standing against power to right a wrong.
Sunday, July 16, 2017
Day 227 Pittsburgh Symphony POPS –Music of John Williams-Larger Than Life
I grew up loving the excitement
of the Star Wars series and my son, who
is also a fan, had all the action
figures. Listening to the musical scores
from these films brings me and many of
us back to a happy place. I recently added the Pittsburgh Symphony PNC POPS to my list of favorite experiences so I was eager to hear the orchestra play the music of John Williams, composer of many popular and recognizable movie scores such as the Star Wars series, Harry Potter,
Superman, Jaws, JFK and Raider of the Lost Ark sequence, just to name a few. His music
like these movies are in many ways "larger than life” and truly come alive with the talents of a top
notch symphony such as our very own
Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.
Monday, July 3, 2017
Day 226 Diana Krall- Beautiful and Sultry (Benedum Center, Pittsburgh)
As an “empty- nester”
I have been drawn back to my past love for jazz. Diana Krall made a Pittsburgh stop during her “Turn Up the Quit” tour recently. This jazz pianist is a 5 time Grammy winner with 8 albums debuting on the top of the Billboard
Jazz charts. It’s her sultry sound and
her interpretation of many jazz classics
that makes her so unique and appealing to many, including me.
Reflection
Diana Krall is known for her lower vocal range, sometimes whispering, almost
speaking the words. I love the way that she feels the music and her
smooth vibe radiates through her audience. She opened with the upbeat, “Do I Love You” and continued with “Look of Love” (Nat King Cole) , “Night and Day” (Cole Porter) and one of my favorites
“Blue Skies”(Irving Berlin). Then she continued for the next 2 hours! I appreciated that she dedicated “Sunny Side of the Street” to Pittsburgh native Mr. Rogers.
visually beautiful show |
She travels
with a fantastic band who throughout the
show showcased their talent during these jazz standards. I loved the
violin player who seemed to take the musical part usually
reserved for a saxophone. He made that instrument sing and even sometimes plucked the strings. It produced a unique musical blend.
I expected to hear good music but I did not expect
such a wonderful visual experience at show. The screen back drop changed with the feel of the music projecting images and lights that intensified the musical experience. During the song “Temptation” it was flaming red
and then it
had a dreamy effect for “Moonglow”. Diana Krall created a truly beautiful musical escape.
Waiting for the show to start |
(For
more upcoming concerts from the Cultural Trust see https://trustarts.org/ )
Spiritual
Reflection
Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw
that it was excellent in every way (Genesis 1:31)
Other Sources
Temptation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-J9bwNLRiJU
Night and Day https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrdO4kgm-Q0
Sunny side of Street https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Va29hvaDY10
Blue Skies https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrdO4kgm-Q0
Sunday, July 2, 2017
Day 225- House of Blues Myrtle Beach - DJ Biz Markie and Gospel Brunch-Positive Lights
House of Blues Myrtle Beach |
Thursday, June 29, 2017
Day 224 - Escape Games, Mirror Maze and Laser Maze –Play like a kid at the Beach (Myrtle Beach)
Legend of Atlantis Escape Game |
Saturday, June 24, 2017
Day 223- Myrtle Beach-Beach it Relax-A Trip of Many Firsts
Even though I usually go to the beach at least once a year, having
no child or family with me is a new experience. I like the idea of having no one to worry about except myself. I decided to beach it with a “chill attitude” and with no set agenda. There
is nothing like being at the beach and walking along the edge of the sand and listening
to the sound of the cracking waves and wind.
Luckily for me, Spirit and Allegiant Air both have very inexpensive direct flights from Pittsburgh to Myrtle Beach so I
decided to beach it and relax early in
the summer with a bunch of new experiences!
Wednesday, June 21, 2017
Day 222 House of Blues - Cleveland, Ohio-90’s Grunge Experience
I think that I missed the whole 90’s grunge music era. I
was stuck in the 80’s during the 90’s except for the songs that hit the top 40
charts. Since this blog is all about trying something new, I accepted an invitation to “The 90’s Grunge Experience" at the Cleveland House of Blues to hear three 90’s tribute bands: Hollow (playing Alice in Chains), Seven Circle Sunrise (playing Nirvana) and STP2 (playing Stone Temple Pilots). I
thought that it might be fun to experience the music
of an era that seemed to have
passed me by!
Friday, June 16, 2017
Day 221 A Christmas Story (movie) House- Cleveland, Ohio–Follow Your Dreams
A Christmas Story House, restored in Cleveland, Ohio |
Saturday, June 10, 2017
Day 220 INXS Experience- KICK tribute band- Hard Rock in Pittsburgh
Cory Massi lead singer with KICK-INXS Tribute Band, Pittsburgh |
Tuesday, June 6, 2017
Day 219 American in Paris-Friendships and Spreading Joy with Beauty
I remember seeing the 1951 film,“An American in Paris” as a kid and loved to watch Pittsburgh native Gene Kelly dance because he was always so full of joy as he moved. The musical, “An American in Paris” is inspired by the film. According to Maslow, my blog inspiration psychologist, aesthetic needs or the appreciation and search for beauty in the world is part of the process of obtaining your personal best or being self-actualized. “An American in Paris” is about beautifying and spreading joy in a dark world.
Monday, May 29, 2017
Memorial Day- Remembering DC War Memorials (Day 122)
WWII Memorial
|
As noted in (Day 121-Washington DC) quite a few memorials have been erected since my last visit to DC. Today was a visit to the Washington DC War Memorials which was a moving experience when you take the time to reflect about all the lives that they honor and the history behind each one.
Friday, May 26, 2017
Day 218 Dirty Dancing at Heinz Hall –Passionate- Ooh la la!
Like most 80’s girls, I wanted to dance with and fall in
love with "a Patrick Swayze" after
watching the romance that he had with Jennifer
Grey in the 1987 iconic movie, Dirty Dancing. Of course this movie contained a lot
of dancing but it was the passion between the rich girl and the boy from the
other side of the tracks, the idea of being daring, and the transformation of
both characters through the power of dance and love, that turned this low budget
film into hit (not to mention Swayze's dancing and physique). I wondered if the musical stage production of Dirty Dancing at Heinz Hall could reproduce that passion.
Tuesday, May 23, 2017
Day 217 - 21+ nights at Carnegie Science Center-Sci-Fi Night
(Don't miss another Carnegie Science Center 21+ night (Beer 21+) on Friday, July 28th, where you can sample beer from 16 local breweries, see demonstrations, hear live music and as explore the science center)
I have not been to the Carnegie Science Center since my son’s
elementary school years. Back then it
was an exhausting rush from one thing to another as you moved along with the short attention
span of your child. I recently learned
about the Carnegie Science Center’s monthly 21+ nights. I was excited to explore the exhibits kid free, with a libation and food in hand,
and listening to live music. Since I am a fan of science fiction movies, a
bonus was this month’s Sci-Fi theme with visits from an array of characters:
Ghostbusters, Back to the Future professor
and time machine DeLorean replica,
Stormtroopers, Jedi Knights, Darth Vader and more.
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