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”.    

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


Sunday, July 2, 2017

Day 225- House of Blues Myrtle Beach - DJ Biz Markie and Gospel Brunch-Positive Lights


House of Blues Myrtle Beach
I have  been  to  the  House of Blues recently (see Day 222-90’s Grunge Experience-Cleveland) and  two years  ago  the  Gospel Brunch in Chicago (see Day 88).  I  thought  that  I would explore the  House of Blues Myrtle Beach located near  Bearfoot Landing in North Myrtle  Beach. I decided to  try  a Hip Hop experience with  DJ Biz Markie called “Decades Collide-80’s vs. 90’s” and revisit something that I really enjoyed  on this journey -the  famous Gospel Brunch at the House of Blues.