Baby Gurl Bumpdate: 36 Weeks

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I'm 90% done. I'm waddling. I'm sway-backed. I'm loving it!!

I am now going to the doctor every week. My doc doesn't do cervical checks unless asked to perform, and I don't want to have any at this point so no update on that front. We also went over my birth plan. I met with the midwife today, and she was very positive about my plan. Yippee! Baby Gurl was perfect, as usual.

Large and in charge!{These were taken at night after my shower in my glorious pajamas. Good times!}
Weight Gain: 30 pounds. I don't FEEL like I've gained 30 pounds and I get comments on being 'all belly' {love peeps who say that}, but it's still crazy to think about 30 extra pounds.

Maternity Clothes: I hate wearing pants unless they are leggings, pants are just uncomfortable. So dresses and leggings for work and leggings and t-shirts on the weekends, ha. I am hot all the time and our mild Texas winter is not helping.

Movement: She is still a mover. I am so happy everyday when I feel her wiggle in there. She has been head down for awhile so lots of feet up high.


Sleep: According to Brent, I am snoring all the time. I would say it's normal sleep habits for 36 weeks - snoring, peeing, waking up a lot...

What I Miss: Being comfortable. I still think this has been a very easy pregnancy, but we're just at the end now, so it's hard to breathe, hard to move, etc.

Cravings: I'm not really craving anything, I am just REALLY hungry but can't eat that much before I feel full. So lots of small meals.

Symptoms: I think I'm starting to have contractions but really minor ones. 


Best Moment of the Week: I hired a doula group! I am beyond excited. They have a 'tea' in 2 weeks that I'm going to so that I can meet everyone in the group. AND I can get prenatal massages through them for $45. Signing up for next week!

Worst Moment of the Week: That moment at work on Monday when I was SO sweaty (A/C had been cutoff over the holiday due to a water leak) that I realized I had sweat spots on my dress...in more than 1 place.

Other Random Stuff: Brent and I are really making huge progress on getting all the last minute 'crap' done. We have had 2 car fulls of donations, we have Baby Gurl's carseat down from the attic, Moses basket is setup in our room, stuff like that. We do still have a lot to do {IMO}, but if she came today, we'd be A-OK. Not that I want her to come today, haha. I want her cooking a few more weeks.

Bump comparison...looking bigger again this time around!

JJ Abram's Super 8

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Hollywood has been incredibly disappointing for the last few years, or maybe I'm just getting old and jaded. Or both. JJ Abrams is one of the few bright spots left in Tinsel Town, and his latest effort, Super 8, brought me out to the movies again.
Take a father-son relationship story, fold in first love and a coming of age tale, and top off with an angry alien that just wants to go home and you have a quality summer outing. Abrams is a story-teller, and this semi-autobiographical yarn recalls the innocence of youth, the purity of love, the joy of friendship, and all that we risk losing once we grow up.
Set in the summer of 1979, Super 8 is the story of five friend making a zombie movie. Charles (the Abrams character played by Riley Griffiths) is the writer and director; Joe Lamb (Joel Courtney) is his best friend special effects and make up guru; Carey (Ryan Lee), Martin (Gabriel Basso), and Preston (Zach Mills) round out the main gang. The introduction of Alice Dainard (Elle Fanning) as the wife of the detective changes everything. When they sneak out to film a scene and unexpectedly witness a train crash, their lives will never be the same.

Best of all are the performances of the young actors. Ryan Lee was my favorite, probably because he reminded me of so many of my students from my teaching days. He's the kid with the energy to make the battery powered bunny look lazy. His infatuation with fireworks, guns, and cars is the very definition of boy-ness. Its just one example of Abrams' deft touch with his writer's pen.
Super 8 is part ET, part Stand By Me, part Goonies, and all fun. Bring the kids or leave them at home, either way you're sure to enjoy the show.

Justin Cronin's The Twelve

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I love post-apocalyptic literature, and I love vampires, as anyone who knows me well can attest. Combining the two, as Justin Cronin did in The Passage is a dream come true. Waiting fifteen months for the second installment proved difficult at times. As it turned out, The Twelve was well worth the wait.
The genius of The Passage was Cronin's willingness to play with the traditions of vampire literature. By identifying vampirism with an ancient virus from deep in the valleys of South America, Cronin broke from the tradition of Bram Stoker and and breathed new life into a genre of literature that had been consumed by the sparkly, vegetarian pretenders with whom teens today have been inundated. 
Cronin's viral vampires are shorn of any romantic notions; they are blood thirsty creatures bioengineered by the American military. Where in the first book we learned about a single community that survived the apocalypse, only glimpsing the rest of the country ever so briefly at the end, in this second volume, we learn the sometimes gruesome details of the lives of the other survivors. Exploring life in the new Republic of Texas and in a slave city run by vampire familiars, we are introduced to the rest of the story.
Five years later, and we meet up again with Peter, Alicia, Michael, Hollis, Sara, and the others who escaped from the California sanctuary that had held for nearly a century. And Amy, the Girl from No Where. Life has attained a new normal, with Peter and Alicia hunting the eleven remaining original virals (convicted felons, each worse than the next weaponized by the US military in an off the books operation in Denver). The others are scattered, each embracing new lives, some of their choosing, some not.
In The Twelve, Justin Cronin returns to the original apocalyptic moment, introducing new characters who will interact in different ways with the original characters from The Passage. Easily one of my favorite new characters is Bernard Kittridge, better known as Last Stand in Denver. A poignant portrait of a wounded warrior faced with surviving the apocalypse. The description of the man, his motivation, his intensity, and redemption are spot on.
Cronin's gift as a writer is creating characters the reader cares about deeply, but also characters who are real, they are people we know. He is able to capture the mundane, as well as the very best and very worst of humanity. One of his new characters, Danny Chayes is an autistic man (though Cronin never uses the word, the description is pretty text book) who is responsible for saving at least a dozen lives, and even the start of a new generation. It is the first time I have seen such a brilliant and positive portrayal of an autistic character in the fiction that I have read.
My only regret in reading The Twelve is that I did not go back and read The Passage again to refresh my memory on the details. Now, I wait, less than patiently, for the final installment and the confrontation with Zero.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Julia Child's Kitchen at the Smithsonian Museum

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Hi, Everyone! I hope that you are all having a great weekend and enjoying the last few days of the summer! I can't wait for the fall to be here, I'm ready for the heat and the humidity to be over already! I wanted to share some pictures of a recent trip to Washington DC. As soon as I found out that Julia Child's kitchen reopened at the Smithsonian Museum of American History in honor of what would have been her 100th birthday, I wanted to go and see it! I just read her book My Life in France a couple of weeks ago, and just love her whole story, and so I was so excited to get to see her kitchen! Here are some pictures from the exhibit, sorry they are not the greatest quality since they were taken with my phone. If you are a fan of Julia Child, it's definitely a fun place to visit! You can find more information about it here!
 By the entrance to the exhibition
A view of the kitchen. Julia Child donated everything to the Smithsonian Museum in 2001. 
Another view of the kitchen
 The kitchen shows the hundreds of utensils that Julia owned, as well as lots of her appliances, dishes and pots and pans.
All of Julia's copper cooking pots and pans!
Julia Child's diploma from Le Cordon Bleu.
 Unfortunately this was as close as you could get to the kitchen, it would have been so neat to be able to walk through it, but it was really interesting seeing it like this too! 
So if you're ever in the area, are a fan of Julia's and haven't seen the kitchen, it's a fun thing to do! They are also opening a new exhibition called Food: Transforming America's Table, 1950 - 2000 at the Smithsonian American History Museum at the end of November! I hope you liked the little tour of Julia's kitchen, and hope you get to check it out for yourself sometime! Have a great rest of your week, Everyone, and Bon Apetit! 

Traditional Christmas Gingerbread Cookies

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Hi, Everyone! Today I want to share one of my favorite Christmas traditions with you - traditional Czech gingerbread cookies! I look forward to baking these cookies every year, because it brings back sweet memories of making them with my mom and my grandparents every year, and because it fills the house with the most wonderful, warm, gingerbread aroma! Once these cookies are baked, decorated and sitting on the dining table, the Christmas season can officially begin! Personally, I only use these cookies for decoration but you could definitely eat them. Here are some pictures of my Christmas 2012 gingerbread cookies!

TRADITIONAL CHRISTMASGINGERBREAD COOKIES
YOU WILL NEED:Cookies:325g all-purpose flour125g powdered sugar50g honey2 tbs unsalted butter, softened1 tsp baking soda2 eggs1/2 tbs ground cinnamon1/2 tsp anise
Icing:2 egg whites2 cups powdered sugar


DIRECTIONS:
1. In your electric mixer bowl, combine flour, baking soda and cinnamon. In another bowl, cream together butter, eggs, sugar, honey and anise.
2. While mixing, slowly add the wet mixture to the dry until a firm dough forms. I like this dough because it's not greasy at all. Form it into a disk and wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate it for 30 minutes.
3. Once chilled, divide the dough into two, and roll each half our on a floured surface (into about a sugar cookie dough thickness, the cookies will puff up quite a bit while baking!) and cut your shapes out. Preheat your oven to 350 deg F (180 deg C)
4. Place your cut out shapes onto baking sheets lined with parchment paper, and bake for about 7 minutes, or until golden brown. Let cool completely before icing.
5. To make your icing, whisk 2 egg whites until stiff white peaks form, then slowly begin adding the sugar. Spoon that mixture into your piping bags, and decorate your cookies! This icing is great as it dries hard, just make sure you give it enough time to dry!











I hope you have lots of wonderful Christmas traditions that you look forward to every year too!Happy Baking, Everyone!
I will be linking to:Mangia Mondays at Delightfully Dowling, Makin' You Crave Mondays, Skip to My Lou, The Shabby Nest, My Romantic Home, Chic on a Shoestring Decorating, Tatertots and Jello, Six Sisters' Stuff, Taylor House Thursday, and Be Different, Act Normal.

Sugary Snowflake Gingerbread Squares

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Hi, Everyone! I hope you are all enjoying the holiday season and having fun decorating, Christmas shopping, cooking and baking seasonal recipes, spending time with friends and family, continuing beloved holiday traditions and making some new memories! I love that we have a desire to make everything extra special at Christmas time, and wish we stuck to it all year round! It's the thoughtful little details that make things more special, and I have a really cute and easy way for you to Christmasify (if that's even a word!) any plain cake and turn it into a Christmas dessert!


Here are my Sugary Snowflake Gingerbread Squares! I made a gingerbread cake (using a box mix - that's how easy this can be if you need something really fast!) and simply stenciled snowflakes onto it using some powdered sugar! If you don't have a stencil, or it's not the right size, you can make one like I did! You can either do this by using a snowflake craft punch (I have a Martha Stewart one that works great!) or you can just print out a snowflake shape and cut it out and use that as your stencil. Place your stencil where you want it and sprinkle the confectioners' sugar on top, then remove the stencil carefully. You could also add some edible glitter to the confectioners' sugar to make the snowflakes shimmery! 


Happy Baking, Everyone!
I will be linking to: My Romantic Home, Chic on a Shoestring Decorating, Tatertots and Jello, Six Sisters' Stuff, Taylor House Thursday, Savvy Southern Style and Be Different, Act Normal.

The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess

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BroadwayRichard Rodgers Theatre
Background: Prior to August, 2011, my sole experience of the American folk opera, Porgy and Bess, included a medley of its selections performed by my middle school concert band. At the ripe age of twelve, I would have rather been playing selections from Rent or something less “dated” in my mind, and so the music of Porgy and Bess faded away from my memory until last summer, when it was announced that a new production of The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess to be directed by Diane Paulus would be playing at the American Repertory Theatre (ART) in Cambridge, MA. Needless to say, I decided it was time for my more cultured adult self to give Porgy and Bess another chance.  I thoroughly enjoyed this cast. Now that they have transferred to Broadway and won a Tony Award for Best Revival, I decided to pay a second visit to Porgy and Bess on the Great White Way.  Synopsis and History: Porgy and Bess tells the love story of Porgy, a poor, lame, black man living in the destitute community of Catfish Row in Charleston, NC in the 1930’s, and Bess, a flawed and conflicted black woman living in the clutches of her jealous and possessive lover, Crown, and her drug dealer, Sportin’ Life. Despite his physical limitations, Porgy attempts to offer Bess a new life free from Crown and “happy dust”. Porgy and Bess is based on the play, Porgy, which is based on DuBose Heyward’s novel of the same name.  After opening at the Colonial Theatre on September 30, 1935, the production transferred to Broadway’s Alvin Theatre on October 10th of the same year, where it ran for 124 performances before beginning a four-city tour.  A talented cast of trained opera singers arrived in Washington DC’s National Theatre only to discover that the theatre did not allow black patrons. The cast refused to perform under such circumstances, which ultimately led to the National Theatre’s desegregation, a milestone at the time. The opera spurred controversy among some African-Americans, who viewed it as a racial stereotype. When the opera opened, many felt that African-Americans were portrayed as violent, uneducated, indigent drug-seekers, which would further validate the stereotype at that time. The Broadway playbill gives a brief, but insightful synopsis of the opera’s history and significance, which I found to be very helpful in understanding the plot.The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess has been revised, cut down from its original four-hour duration, and “modernized” by director Diane Paulus, which has also been controversial to some, most notably, Stephen Sondheim. Comments: The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess showcases an extremely talented cast at their best. Five-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald gives a heart-wrenching performance as Bess. Playing Bess eight times per week must be exhausting, but she does it flawlessly. Norm Lewis gave a Tony-worthy performance as the naive, but beloved Porgy, portraying the character’s journey as a victim protected by his neighbors who evolves into a man of great strength. Norm Lewis was the stand-out performer in Porgy and Bess and one of my biggest reasons for seeing the show twice. David Alan Grier is oddly endearing as Bess’ drug dealer Sportin’ Life.  He’s so bad, but you just can’t hate him- maybe because his character provides moments of comic relief in the midst of turmoil and tragedy. I especially appreciated the funny exchanges between him and matriarch Natasha Yvette Williams (Mariah). Phillip Boykin was terrifying as Crown, as he should be.  Nikki Renee Daniels (Clara) and Joshua Henry (Jake) stood out vocally with their performances of “Summertime” and “A Woman Is A Sometime Thing” respectively.  Bryonha Marie Parham’s performance of “My Man’s Gone Now” is theatre at its finest. 


Many critics have argued that Diane Paulus’ revised version of Porgy and Bess has stripped the opera of its essence. Without having seen other productions, I am not able to comment on this belief. What I can tell you is that The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess offers a powerful score with elements of folk, jazz, spirituals, and blues, enjoyable choreography, and a well-constructed plot, which has been further clarified since ART. In the era of Wicked, Rent, and The Book of Mormon, a four-hour opera with three intermissions may not be appealing to the younger generation of theatre-goers. Diane Paulus’ revisions certainly render the opera more accessible and appealing to that generation, and if this was her goal, then job well done. Regardless of interpretation, Porgy and Bess can forever be appreciated for its preservation of American history and its indelible role in civil rights. 

Dogfight

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Off-BroadwaySecond Stage TheatreJuly 14th, 2012 matinee
Background and Synopsis: Yesterday, I had the pleasure of seeing the new off-Broadway musical, Dogfight, at Second Stage. Set to open on Monday, July 16th, Dogfight is based on the 1991 movie of the same name which starred River Phoenix and Lili Taylor. Directed by Tony Award winner Joe Mantello with a score by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, and book by Peter Duchan, Dogfight chronicles the events of November 21, 1963, as a group of Marines prepare for one last night of fun before shipping out to Vietnam the next day. When the Marines make a bet on who can find the ugliest date, Eddie Birdlace meets Rose Fenny, a plain, inexperienced waitress, and the cruel game turns into an unusual and unexpected connection between the two. Comments: There is something very special about Dogfight- perhaps it is the raw and honest manner in which the characters are written by Peter Duchan. The New York stage has seen many musicals based on movies recently, but not all of them have succeeded as a musical. This production is a great example of a movie that actually works as a musical, much like the Tony Award winning musical, Once. The simple, but compelling story is enhanced by a hauntingly beautiful score written by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, two fairly new, up and coming composers!  Rather than interrupt the story with big, showy numbers, the music of Dogfight elicits character reflection and propels the story forward. There are many laugh-out-loud moments, the kinds that make you wonder how the actors are keeping straight faces. In fact, Dogfight exemplifies the even balance between drama and comic relief. Rose Fenny is played by Lindsay Mendez, recently seen in the Broadway revival of Godspell singing “Bless the Lord”. Known for belting songs out of the vocal stratosphere, Lindsay’s portrayal of Rose is, of course, more subdued than her previous roles, but it definitely accentuated the warmth, richness, and expression in her amazing voice. Lindsay didn’t play Rose as an unattractive, mousy young waitress, but rather as a sheltered, inexperienced, intelligent girl with profound insight into people, specifically Eddie. Derek Klena (of Carrie) played the flawed and hot-tempered Eddie Birdlace. He did a great job of portraying the emotional layers of such a complicated character. The supporting cast was also excellent. Standing out were Nick Blaemire as Bernstein, Josh Segarra as Boland, and Annaleigh Ashford as Marcy. In particular, Annaleigh really nailed the comedic timing as Boland’s opportunistic date.  If you want to see an enjoyable, heartfelt musical with a talented cast and beautiful music written by a pair of promising new composers, please check out Dogfight at Second Stage Theatre. It is not to be missed. 

BOOK REVIEW by Guest Blogger Hayley

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A Purple Summer: Notes on the Lyrics of Spring Awakening 
Everything you know, didn’t know, or thought you knew on the words of Spring Awakening 
It’s no secret that Spring Awakening, like so many others of its kind, has developed a sort of cult following and has been added to the invisible list of shows that even non-theatrical people are obsessed with (you know what I’m talking about). If you’re looking for another book filled with backstage secrets, cast photos, biographies, and costume sketches, this is not the book for you.  Stephen Sater’s A Purple Summer, a quick read of 87 pages, breaks down the lyrics of the show, song by song, in chronological order.  After listing the lyrics, Sater goes on to give notes on the lyrics: explain in detail the inspiration of these songs, what the characters are going through, and how their personal journeys evolve. In many cases, Sater says what the song means to him personally. Sater states “that such notes would be invaluable for maintaining the quality of future productions of our show, when those of us who created it would no longer be near.”  This has actually been a concern of mine and of many other fans, I’m sure, since its Broadway closing on January 18, 2009 and especially since the closing of the non-Equity tour on May 15, 2011.  What is to become of this beautiful story only complete with this beautiful music and lyrics once high school students venture to butcher the difficult vocals and take out the sex and violence? This is not the kind of Broadway music that one can simply scratch at the surface and apply to the story. This stuff is deep. Therefore, this book is the Godsend for anyone pursuing any of these roles as well as anyone buying tickets to the first local productions everywhere.  You’re welcome.  If you’re like me and you find absolute enjoyment in deeply analyzing every one of Sater’s words along with the cast recording on long car rides, then this is also the perfect read for you.  Because what the hell is he talking about anyway? If you know anything about Spring Awakening it’s that these lyrics do not merely tell the story, but rather provide insight to the characters.  Why does Melchior keep talking about the stars? What do the stars mean to him? What is the whole “my junk” thing all about?  What’s with all the references to ghosts and angels in practically every single song? The book may not answer all of your questions but it will certainly answer some, and help you make more sense of the show as a piece of art. Almost every single song makes some kind of reference to the Bible, ancient Greek mythology, philosophy, and/or Shakespeare, and Sater goes into detail on this incredibly fascinating stuff.  It helped me see the show in a wider context and in a new light.   Many of Sater’s words confirmed my beliefs, but I also learned a lot. For example, did you know that the lyrics of “My Junk” are almost entirely based on a drug rush? You may have, actually, but I certainly did not. Spring Awakening is not only among my top favorite musicals ever; it is very near and dear to my heart for many reasons, to the point where there are even lyrics tattooed on my back (and I’m sure those of you who know me well knew that I would not miss the opportunity to throw that in there).  Why aren’t there more books like this?  It would be nice to have a breakdown of every popular Broadway lyric, but the exclusivity is what makes the show that much more special. I can rest a bit easier knowing that Sater has left us this little guide as the show is passed into fresh hands and inevitably eventually somewhat forgotten.  So I recommend this book to anyone even remotely interested in the show and/or anyone looking to play these challenging roles. It will help! If you like to play with words, music and poetry in your free time then you can plow through this book in no more than an hour.  Sater has given us a peek into his vision, “and all shall know the wonder.”  

Morgan James' Twitter Commentary

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While I like to keep this blog positive, I can’t help but comment on a recent Twitter controversy involving Broadway actress Morgan James’ negative commentary towards The Public Theater’s new production of Into the Woods.  James, who attended the first public preview performance, tweeted (and I’m paraphrasing this as the post has since been removed from twitter) ‘how can you mess up Into the Woods?’ and went on to make negative comments about the production’s acting and musicianship with the hashtag “horrified”, eliciting angry emotions within the Broadway community on Twitter. OUCH. With that said, James has since tweeted a public apology to The Public Theater and members of the production; however, the damage has been done.  The respected Broadway website, playbill.com, posted a report of the controversy which included James’ public twitter apology. I guess if you cross a legend like Stephen Sondheim, you make news on Broadway. For years now, people have been sharing too much information through social media. I have little to no interest in much of what shows up in my Facebook or Twitter feeds.  But there is a difference between innocently telling the world that you have to pee and directly insulting your colleague because, unfortunately, that is what Morgan James did when she tweeted her opinion. The Broadway community of actors, musicians, writers, composers, lyricists, choreographers, etc are colleagues that should support the common goal of bringing the arts to the public, first and foremost, by respecting each other. There is the expectation of professionalism with any job, whether it be in the theatre or the office. As a medical professional, I encounter many physicians, nurses, nursing assistants, etc on a daily basis and I don’t necessarily think that they are all great physicians, nurses, and nursing assistants. BUT. If I took to twitter and tweeted that Dr. Jones is a horrible doctor and I wouldn’t let him take care of my dog, I would be in serious trouble. I could lose my job and my credibility. AND since I may or may not be correct in my opinion, I could destroy the career of an excellent physician. In any profession, there is the expectation of professionalism that should supersede the powerful thing that is Twitter (or Facebook). While I know this example is a little extreme when compared to Morgan James’ comments, I am trying to emphasize the necessity of thinking before tweeting and being professional.  No doubt, she has ticked off some of her colleagues. Was it intentional?  OF COURSE NOT. Will these colleagues come out and support her in her next show?  Will they jump to work with her if the opportunity comes along? Maybe... but maybe not. Will Stephen Sondheim cast her in one of his productions?  I’d be shocked if he did. Here we have a remarkably talented young actress with an insane singing voice, who should be working on Broadway for a long time...... but has she just jeopardized her career? And has this one tweet jeopardized the viability of Into the Woods? I hope not. If anything, the Twitter controversy has made me sad for Morgan James and sad for Into the Woods.  They both deserve the chance for a long Broadway life, and a simple tweet destroying that chance is what would be truly “horrifying”.   And so I conclude this blog by saying, keep it positive. Be professional. Think before you speak (or tweet). And most importantly, SUPPORT THEATRE!!!!  

In the Pit with Club Swing's Jeremy Boettcher

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This week, we had the chance to ask Club Swing musician Jeremy Boettcher a few questions as he prepared for their Thursday, October 4 performance at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center. Read on to find out what Jeremy had to say about the great Big Band Era tunes featured in the show, and hear the hits they're known for in Five By Design's Club Swing!
What instrument do you play with Club Swing?Double Bass or Upright Bass
What’s your favorite song in Club Swing?I think my favorite song is “One for My Baby (And One More for the Road).” It’s a great arrangement. Frank Sinatra used to do it; it’s a beautiful tune.
How does your instrument contribute to that Big Band sound?Several ways. It’s both a rhythmic and harmonic instrument, so I have to work with the drums and the piano and the rest of the band to maintain the pulse and framing. Many people say it’s the backbone of the ensemble, that it lays the foundation that everything is laid on. It’s a big responsibility. A lot of people don’t realize the bass is in control and really supplying the pulse. If it’s missing, or not up to par, it really hurts the ensemble. But it’s fun! I love doing it.
What’s the most exciting part about being on tour with Five By Design?The most exciting part is being able to be in a new city almost every day. You don’t always have time to take in the sights, but it’s always fun to be in a new area and get away from normal life and the usual responsibilities. It’s fun to hang out with the people when you’re in the traveling from place to place. I also really enjoy playing in all the cool historic theaters. We were in Miami, Oklahoma a few years ago, and there’s a really great theater there that was built by a fellow that had inherited oil money or something. He used to go hang out in Hollywood and realized he wanted a place where people could go in Oklahoma, so he built one. Touring you get to go to these great historic theaters and explore these great buildings you wouldn’t otherwise see.
How long have you been playing with Five By Design?I have been playing on and off with the group since 2001 or 2002, when I was a freshman or sophomore in college. Actually, one of the first shows I played with the group was at the Fox Cities P.A.C. in Appleton.
Where’d did you get your start with music?When I was really young I took piano lessons and really enjoyed it, I think I was 5. I ended up quitting because I didn’t like practicing the things I was assigned. I liked to improvise and learn different pieces of music. I always felt bad going to the lessons under prepared, so I quit. I was in choir in middle school and really enjoyed that, but also ended up quitting. I decided I wasn’t going to pick up another instrument, but my friend in high school was starting a band. He had just got a drum set, and I was jealous of him because I wanted to be in a band. He convinced me to start playing bass. We were watching MTV and there was an Everclear concert on some live show. My friend said look, the bass player doesn’t really do anything, it’s really easy. So I convinced my parents to get me electric bass for Christmas when I was a freshman in high school. One afternoon I was hanging out with my friend at Family Video. We ran into a classmate that said they were looking for bass players for a jazz ensemble. At that point I couldn’t read music, but I went to the rehearsal and liked it and stuck with it. It all started because of my best friend convinced me to start playing because it looked easy. It’s not as easy as I thought, but I’m very thankful for him convincing me to get a bass.

Tickets On Sale November 30 for Disney's The Lion King

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 Disney Theatrical Productions and the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center announced today that tickets for the long-awaited return engagement of Disney’s The Lion King will go on sale to the public on Friday, November 30 at 7:00 a.m.!

The Fox Cities’ most eagerly awaited return will once again leap onto the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center’s stage on Tuesday, April 9 for a limited engagement of four weeks through Sunday, May 5. The opening night is Thursday, April 11 at 7:30 p.m. The show’s six-week premiere engagement in 2007 played a sold-out run at the Fox Cities P.A.C. Beginning Friday, November 30, tickets will be available in-person only at the Center’s ticket office from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. The first 100 ticket buyers will receive a free gift with purchase, and parking will be available in the Washington Street Ramp for $2 (cash only). Tickets for The Lion King will be available online at foxcitiespac.com and ticketmaster.com starting at 10:00 a.m. To charge tickets, call Ticketmaster at (866)870-2717. There is an eight ticket limit for all ticket buyers. Additional fees may apply. Additionally, VIP Ticket Packages, which include a prime seat location, a commemorative souvenir program and an exclusive merchandise item, are also available. GROUPS CAN ORDER NOW!Did you know that groups of 15 or more can order tickets before the public on sale event? Orders for groups of fifteen or more may be placed now by calling (920)730-3786. If you have a group of friends or family, co-workers or a social group who you know would love Disney's The Lion King, consider going together and secure your seats today!The performance schedule for The Lion King is Tuesday - Friday evenings at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 1:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. There will also be a special matinee performance on Thursday, May 2 at 2:00 p.m. The Fox Cities P.A.C. is located at 400 West College Avenue, Appleton, WI.

BEWARE OF THIRD PARTY TICKETSPlease remember that Ticketmaster is the only official retail ticket outlet for all performances at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center. Tickets purchased from other ticket retailers such as secondary ticket agencies or brokers may be more expensive and may not be valid. For more information about the dangers of third party ticket purchases, visit foxcitiespac.com/events.

Tickets On Sale Friday for Disney's The Lion King

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Score the Hottest Ticket in Town!

DISNEY'S THE LION KINGAPRIL 9 - MAY 5, 2013FOX CITIES PERFORMING ARTS CENTERDOWNTOWN APPLETON

On Friday, November 30, tickets will be available for Disney's The Lion King! Be Here at 7:00 a.m. Tickets available in-person at the Fox Cities P.A.C. Ticket Office The first 100 ticket buyers will receive a free gift with purchase! Order Online Starting at 10:00 a.m. Online and phone sales begin Ticketmaster.com, lionking.com or call (866) 870-2717

REMEMBER - PROTECT YOURSELF FROM THIRD PARTY TICKET SELLERS Ticket buyers are reminded that Ticketmaster is the only official retail ticket outlet for all performances at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center. Tickets purchased from other ticket retailers such as secondary ticket agencies or brokers may be more expensive and may not be valid. For more information, visit foxcitiespac.com/events.

Reporting on 10 Amazing Years

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Today, the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center released a special
10th Anniversary Report to the Community!With so many memorable moments and milestones, the Fox Cities P.A.C. could hardly fit everything into one short book. As you flip the pages, please join us in remembering 10 amazing years in the spotlight. The 2011/12 Season Snapshot captures the latest year of accomplishments.Do you have a favorite memory of time spent at the Fox Cities P.A.C.?
Tell us about your special moment with Share Your Story at foxcitiespac.com/ten. Simply write a note or post a photo, and you will be entered for a chance to win 2 tickets to Fox Cities P.A.C. Fan Day with SCRAP•ARTS•MUSIC!

Hard To Imagine It's Been Thirty Years

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Hard To Imagine It's Been Thirty Years

It really is incredibly hard to believe it was 30 years ago today that John Lennon was murdered.

Millions of us were shocked to learn the tragic news in this highly surreal fashion. The evening of December 8, 1980, hit virtually everyone around the world so extraordinarily hard. Suddenly that evening, it didn't matter if you were a fan of The Beatles or Lennon. The idea that such a creative genius who espoused peace could be gunned down so violently broke our collective hearts.

Lennon's untimely death marked the end of an era, even as he had just attempted to begin a new one for himself.

The musical icon had just emerged from a self-imposed "exile" to help raise his young son Sean. On November 17, 1980, just three short weeks prior to his murder, he and his wife Yoko Ono released the incredibly hopeful "Double Fantasy," his first studio recording in five long years. 

While the recording would quickly climb to number one on the Billboard charts and go on to earn him a posthumous Grammy for 1981 Album of the Year, for those of us who purchased the recording, we were haunted by the back cover image showing Lennon and Ono outside the Dakota Apartments, just steps from where this man of profound peace met his violent end.

Rest in peace, John Lennon. Thirty years later, we're still trying to imagine the type of world you envisioned.

This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
 
 
In keeping with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulations that unfairly discriminate against bloggers, who are now required by law to disclose when they have received anything of value they might write about, please note that I have received nothing of value in exchange for this post. http://rpc.technorati.com/rpc/ping

NEWS: All aboard the Downtown Jingle Bus!

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Jingle Bus7 days a week, FREE.  5 PM – 10 PM Through Dec 28.All aboard the Downtown Jingle Bus! Holiday season visitors to downtown can hop-on and off the FREE holiday themed ride circulating between The Gateway, Temple Square, Gallivan Plaza & City Creek Center. Shoppers will find service especially useful to connect downtown’s two malls, as well as sightseers enjoying the abundant holiday lights and storefront window decorations. View a map at downtownslc.org/jingle Holiday Market at Gallivan CenterFridays and Saturdays 11 AM – 8 PM Through December 22The Downtown Holiday Market at Gallivan brings holiday charm to Salt Lake's urban center with a focus on local and handmade goods.  You'll find unique, one-of-a-kind items, perfect for children or that hard-to-shop for person on your list as holiday food and drinks just a snowballs throw from the ice skating rink.See the vendor list at downtownslc.org/christmasmarket   Holiday Lights & Window WonderlandAnytime!The holidays bring an amazing array of light arrangements to downtown as well as elaborate storefront decorations. Make sure to see the lights at Temple Square and the window displays at Macy’s – to name a few.  You can vote for your favorite window display online.Visit downtownslc.org to vote now

NEWS: SALT LAKE ACTING COMPANY’S NEW PLAY SOUNDING SERIES PRESENTS A READING OF DEVIL DOG SIX BY FENGAR GAEL

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SALT LAKE ACTING COMPANY’S NEW PLAY SOUNDING SERIES PRESENTSA READING OF DEVIL DOG SIX BY FENGAR GAELSLAC’s New Play Sounding Series presents a free reading of DEVIL DOG SIX, by Fengar Gael and directed by Alexandra Harbold, onMonday, December 3, 2012 at 7:00pm. DEVIL DOG SIX tells the story of a young woman jockey who falls from a horse and the process of her recovery leads her to a radical transformation of body and soul in her quest to conquer the sport of kings.Devon Tramore doesn’t let the fact that she is the only female in the locker room of horse jockey’s keep her from pursuing her passion, in fact she uses all her faculties and qualities as a woman to compete, fight and win. When she has a horrific accident during a race, an investigation into her career, her personal life and the sport is launched. While details of the accident emerge, Devon’s recovery progresses with some unexpected and bizarre side effects.Director Alexandra Harbold says, “Fengar’s script is a kinetic rush – physical, outrageous, full of raw ambition and incredibly muscular hope. It’s going to be a wild ride!”The New Play Sounding Series is a part of SLAC’s outreach programming which provides an essential testing ground on which playwrights can see their work in progress and receive insightful feedback from the audience in a post-play discussion. We thank the Jarvis and Constance Doctorow Family Foundation for their support of this vital program.The reading will be followed by a post-play discussion with the playwright, the director and the cast. Audience members will be invited to ask questions and share insight regarding the development of the production.
FACT SHEET

SLAC NPSS reading                                      DEVIL DOG SIX           

PLAYWRIGHT                                             Fengar Gael
DIRECTOR                                                    Alexandra Harbold
CAST                                                              William Ferrer, Nell Gwynn, Bijan J. Hosseini, Paul Kiernan, Nicki Nixon, Josh ThoemkeDATE AND TIME                                         Monday December 3, 2012 @ 7 PM
The audience does not need a ticket in advance to attend this reading. The building will open one hour prior to the performance when general admission tickets will be distributed, and the theatre will open half an hour before the performance.
Salt Lake Acting Company is located at 168 W 500 N, Salt Lake City,Utah, 84103.For more information call 801- 363-7522 or visitwww.saltlakeactingcompany.org
NOW PLAYING:MANNING UP by Sean Christopher Lewis, with Lanny Langston and Jesse Peery.
DATES                       Opened:          November 7, 2012                                    Closing:           December 9, 2012
TIMES                        Regular:           Wed – Sat: 7:30 p.m.                                                            Sun: 1:00 p.m. & 6:00 p.m.
SLAC is a not-for-profit 501(c) in 1970 and is dedicated to producing, commissioning and developing new works and to supporting a community of professional artists.  SLAC has been nationally recognized by the Shubert Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Pew Charitable Trusts and the Edgerton Foundation, among others. SLAC operates under a STP Actors Equity Association contract. SLAC is a Constituent Member of Theatre Communications Group, a national organization for non-profit professional regional theatres, and the National New Play Network.

________________________________________________Cynthia FlemingExecutive ProducerSalt Lake Acting Company801.363.7522www.saltlakeactingcompany.orgwww.nowplayingutah.com