feels like the first time

Tomorrow night the opera opens. Yeoman of the Guard is the most serious of Gilbert & Sullivan's operas, which might be why ticket sales are a little slow this year. No matter, we'll play and sing and act our hearts out for whomever is in the audience.

There have been some changes this year that make things less fun. For example, the orchestra is now being streamed on screen to the audience during the overture. G&S overtures are normally pretty nasty. This one is next to unplayable. I have a recording of it by the Royal Philharmonic, so I know it is actually playable by some musicians. Just not us (yet. I'll add the qualifier. There's still time to practice tomorrow). Anyway, having the camera there adds some nerves that I don't normally have. And we have to wear all black. The other 9 or so years I've done this, we can wear whatever we want, but now that we're being seen (which is nice, in theory, for the audience to know there's a live orchestra back stage), we have to look presentable. I have to buy some more black.

But that's not the big change. There are some new rules with the theater and church and school complex we're in, and because the cast has to warm up on stage, if we lowly orchestra folks want to warm up, we have to do it in the bathroom. Right. Like I'm going to sit on the toilet while warming up with my rather pricey instrument. I'd rather start cold. The stage managers said they're going to try to find a solution that doesn't involve toilets. I'll hope for that.

summer of music fun

I've been really fortunate this summer to attend some really amazing concerts. Rock the Garden started off the summer, and I have to admit, was my least favorite. The bands were fine but not very inspiring. But that's ok, because it came first so there was room for improvement. Then I saw Alejandro Escovedo at the Fine Line, which was a surprising good time. He was great. And then Amos Lee and Ray Lamontagne at Basilica Block Party. It was super hot that day, and standing on the blacktop wasn't very comfortable, and really that wasn't the right venue for those groups. BUT, it was awesome to see them both live.

The night before I left for Greece, I got to see U2. Seriously amazing. I think the craziest part was when Bono told us to put our hands in the air. And every. single. person. in the stadium put their hands up. When Bono tells you to do something, you do it. It poured and poured and I did have a mini-freak out about the lightning and the imagined chaos of evacuating the venue. And thankfully, they didn't call it. One of my best concert memories ever.

And then last night was no exception to my great summer of music fun. Adele was outstanding. My sis and I had seats in the last row. That was ok, though I wish I had remembered my binoculars to get at least a couple closer looks at her. That aside, I felt really lucky to be there. I was not one of the lucky few who had tickets to the original First Ave show, and though I was happy for me since I got to go when it was rescheduled to the Xcel, I was sad for the First Ave ticket holders. Because if last night was a fabulous show, imagine it at First Ave! She was charming and funny and just plain adorable. If I didn't love her before, I sure do now.

One more show to come - Bon Iver in a couple weeks. Then the curtain comes down on the summer of music fun. And what a great music summer it was!

ah, summer

Summer in Minneapolis is worth the winters. There, I said it. As much as I hate the constant crick in my neck from hunched shoulders bracing for the bitter cold, I love the summer here.

Saturday night was a celebration of all things summer in Minneapolis. Outdoor music, sunshine, beer, friends. The weather was perfect, even the warm summer sprinkles as we were leaving.


You can't tell, but this is a photo of The Avett Brothers. What a great set they played.

Ah, summer.

first ave.

High on the list of places I would miss terribly had I been forced to move away from Minneapolis for a job is First Ave. What a great venue. I celebrated finishing the draft of my dissertation on Monday with a show, with Romantica opening for Twin Cities legends, The Jayhawks.

romantica.


the jayhawks.


gary.
We got there early and staked out great spots in the second row. So awesome. The only problem is that I forgot how sore my neck gets staring up for three hours when you're that close. But how could that not be worth it?!?

Last Gasp Cast Bash

There are moments that make it impossible to deny the high level of nerdiness in my life. One such event is the annual final cast party for the opera. The climax of the evening is the alternate lyrics show. Folks from the cast, crew, and orchestra rewrite the lyrics to songs, poking fun at each other, the show, the conductor, current events. It is an evening of clever jokes, puns, and lots of laughter.

Last night's party was no exception. At the end of the night, my cheeks hurt from smiling, and my abs were sore from laughing so hard. The orchestra put together a song making fun of our status as the hired help, and added kazoos (always good for a cheap laugh). It does indeed solidify my status as a complete nerd, but I'll take it. Next year's show is Pirates of Penzance. And I can't wait.

Crush me

You're never too old to have a crush, right? That's what I'm telling myself. The current object of unreasonable affection is my orchestra conductor of the opera for which I'm playing in the orchestra. Irish. Accent. Conductor. What else do I need? He's young. 26 years young. But who cares? Makes practicing a lot more fun.