Chicago

One of the great benefits of making friends in different majors all over campus - free stuff. For example, last night I got to go to the final dress rehearsal of Chicago for free because it's "friends and family night." Totally cool. Totally the right price. However, after seeing it, I'd pay the $10 for a ticket. It was colorful. It was sparkly. It was sexy.

Sherri Dienstfrey, the director, took a great interpretive step with her crescendo-ing theme of circus. As the show progressed make-up was added, costumes got more colorful and the spectacle became more grand as the trial of Roxy became more involved and more ridiculous. It accentuated the message that the perception or sense of justice held by an audience (or country) can be manipulated by our want for the fantastic and gruesome. In a way, the things we're fascinated by reflect our nature: The yearning to find a bit of good in a criminal, our want to believe that people are innocent, our want for violence and drama, our tendency to look for the next bit of grotesque and curiosity that will keep our interest piqued.

That's why Chicago is a great musical. It's themes extend beyond the time it was written (1975) and the era it was set in (1920's). We see the same sensationalism capture audiences with reality TV today. Honestly, Snooki? Tila Tequila? Kim Kardashian? Paris Hilton? These characters (or more appropriately caricatures) are the parallel entertainment equivalent as the characters in Chicago. Why do we keep coming back to watch them? What about them is so enthralling that they have their own television shows and near-cult followings? It's like real life soap operas... or at least people that have turned their lives into such. I guess it's the drama, the sexuality, the brash and aggressive natures that we don't dare share of ourselves... Are we allowing them to live out situations we only entertain through imagination?

Anyway, what I'm getting at is that it was a fun show. It's not appropriate for all audience members. There is swearing, innuendo, slinky costumes and insinuation of violence. I'd rate it PG-13. There is also a lot of great energy coming from those performers. There is outstanding stage chemistry between Zeke Robinson and Bridget Close. Megan Griggs, Kyle Anderson and Kim Mumford are vocal stand outs. Debbie Bray out did herself with the glitzy and glamorous costumes. The choreography was clever. All in all, It was a night of music, humor and debauchery.

Photo courtesy of A Day To Adore Photography

Madison Lights & Megan Burt

Guitarist and Lead Singer of Madison Lights

After a short leave of absence, I finally made it to another concert on the quad. It was a great concert. The opening act, Madison Lights, was really high energy and fun. It was the best opening band yet. Talented vocalist, great guitar work and they were so engaging and playful. I was really impressed because, unlike some of the earlier bands, they were in tune THE ENTIRE TIME and their vocalist had agility and accuracy... okay... taking off the music nerd hat.

Dastardly Bassinet

Not to mention that the weather was well-behaved... not a cloud in sight! People were there with their babies, friends, family and dogs. The best thing about gatherings like that is people watching. There were all sorts of interesting things to watch. There was an adorable 3 or 4 year old girl pretending to conduct the band. There was a bassinet suited for a Tim Burton-esque baby. There were dogs of all sort! But the most amazing was the Great Dane that was the size of a baby horse.

Hula-Hoop Contest Winner

It was very fortunate circumstance that brought us our headliner, Megan Burt. The artist that was originally scheduled, Rachel Loy, cancelled on Wednesday. Luckily, Amanda on SAB got in touch with Megan and she hit the road at 4 a.m. in order to make it on time for our Thursday concert. She was lovely and very unpretentious. She proclaimed her love for having contests and giving away free CDs. And encouraged audience members to get up and have a hula-hoop off. She gave away two free CDs and drew everyone's attention to the fact that she had a table to sell goods... very savvy. She has an acoustic indie sound. It inspired dancing among the younger and it was so pleasant to listen to. It was great music to accompany sitting in the sunshine.

Megan Burt

The merchandise table has done so well this summer. I made a call to the SAB office and they told me people have donated 2076 pounds of food to the food bank. The last concert set the record for donations with a whopping 594 pounds donated. Cory also told me that it's been a record setting summer. Attendance is at the highest it's been in a few years! At this last concert there were 585 people in attendance. Which is lovely... but the Clumsy Lovers concert has set this summer's record at 975 attendees. A few more amazing statistics... 31% of people at the concert are women between 18 and 24 years old and 69% of people in attendance are female. Are you listening men? Think that it's hard to meet girls?!?!?   Well, you've got one concert left to get numbers and meet new girls, no pressure, just sayin'.

This Thursday is something completely different. 1) No opening act. 2) BLUES. 3) PURELY LOCAL! Come out and support Soulful Blues! Expect a Billie Holiday and Etta James influenced sound.
                      XO, Nanette

A Little Thinking...

Hey! 

So it's been a long week and it's only Wednesday morning. I'm working on a new project at work. I'm finally digging into a video project. Okay... I was hired based on my YouTube stuff and my previous promotional work. I'm finding it much harder to find my professional voice and find happy shiny faces to be in front of the camera while I'm behind it, whereas I'm used to sitting in front of my iSight cam and just goofing from there. So far I've learned:

1.  Big expensive camera equipment is scary and intimidating. 
2.  The only way to get this project rolling is by failing some and taking something from those failures.
3.  There are a lot of REALLY cool people on campus willing to help out if you just ask.  

This week's concert on the quad is a little country. That means I'll probably require some severe motivational speaking to get myself there. That's something I can say for college, I'm becoming a better self-motivational speaker: convincing myself to get out of bed, convincing myself to wear clothing, convincing myself that I should go to class, convincing myself to go to work. I blame my couch. If I sit on it, there is little else I want in life. I also blame my computer... glowing screen of hypnotic doom. From these multiple motivational speeches I've learned:

1.  I really stink at going to class/work/social events before 10 a.m.
2.  It's easier to get going if I pick out clothing the night before or at least between snoozes on the alarm clock. 
3. I could sell sand to a camel. Too bad that sometimes that sand is sleep and the camel is myself.

Photo by Philip Murphey - Ashley Kirby. 

I went to Coho (big yellow building on 4th near Elmer's) last night for the open mic night. I was informed that it happens every Tuesday. I'm seriously considering getting a little jazz set together. My voice student, an enthusiastic 12 year old, is doing a set there soon. Maybe I'll do one too. It's a good little venue, intimate and small. Phil, the owner, has it rigged with mics, a keyboard, music stands, stools as needed and a little extra light in the performing area. Last night there were a few acoustic guitar sets and one guy read some poetry he wrote. It seemed like a great place to just try stuff out. People were very forgiving of mistakes because they're there to enjoy themselves, not listen analytically (dang that classical music training). If you're ever bumming around on a Tuesday night, try heading over there... maybe sing something, maybe read something.... maybe just take it all in. 

XO, Nanette

Quad Concert - Round Three: Somewhere In The Middle and Truman.

Hello Readers and Listeners!

FINALLY... The concert was out on the quad. It's almost been a week of real summer without rain. Attendance was up. Still haven't run into many of you who I KNOW read this blog {hint, hint}. People showed up with camp chairs, blankets, footballs, coolers, bikes and sweatshirts.

Somewhere In The Middle did a great cover of Gaga's "Bad Romance." Of course, minus the meat dresses and lingerie (at least that I could tell). They got a pretty good crowd dancing. They also announced that they're performing at the upcoming RiverFest on June 18.

By the time Truman took the stage, clouds came rolling in and the wind picked up. Poor guys, trying to play the keyboard and guitar with frozen fingers. They brought some excellent energy, read the crowd really well and played some good John Mayer covers. They come from Nashville. It came through, they played a little country next to their more popular stuff. Not as many dancers... except that guy in the blue shirt...   He was really into it.

Next week is the Orange Promo. It's going to be a bit more country with Brody and The Outlaws. Ryan Horne will be headlining.  Don't forget your canned food donations. Donation might not be the right word... you DO get a T-shirt or hammock, etc in return.

xo, Nanette

Quad Concert... Round Two

I'm sitting in the SUB again for another quad concert (rained out again). Now, I looked up both of the bands before I came so I'd know what to expect. I'd suggest it, so you know what you're getting yourself into. Though next week's opener is a great local band, Somewhere In The Middle. They've played all the bars and performed at RiverFest last year. Okay... I might be biased. My friend, Chris McElprang, is their bassist.

At the Student Activities table they had T-shirts and fun trinkets for purchase. T-shirts can be purchased  for 3 cans of food or a $5 donation to the food bank... just like last time. But apparently they're color coordinated to the promo material. Each event is a different color. Tonight's is yellow. So even if you've never heard of the band... if you think you'll look good in green, come to the green concert. Or The red, or the blue, or the purple... you get the idea. 

The opening act, Vestige Vindicated, is a local band from McCammon. Now, I'm not well-versed in acoustic emo-punk-esque bands, but I guess I'd could compare their sound to Strung Out's "Velvet Alley" on the Punk Goes Acoustic album. 

It was an interesting contrast with the main act JD Eichner. He played his own guitar, wrote some of his own music and did a GREAT cover of "Banana Pancakes" by Jack Johnson. It was a really chill, coffeehouse sort of vibe. It was disappointing that the audience was so much smaller than last time (I think they had 900 people here last time?)... JD was great. He was musical, personable with the audience and not to mention pretty attractive. From the rumor mill, I hear that Student Activities Board (SAB) is trying to bring him back (with the rest of his band this time) for another gig this fall. I hope they do. That's something I'd go to.

I made a new friend while at the concert, Phillip. He's on the Student Activity Board. I was glad on two accounts - A) it's always lovely to meet new people and B) It made me look busy when I ran into the ex AGAIN. I will give Mr. ex points for liking live music.

Next week is the blue week. Come grab a T-shirt, donate to the food bank, run into friends (or foes), listen to Somewhere In The Middle and Truman 

XO, Nanette