All I Want is Loving You and Music, Music, Music!

Yesterday was an enjoyable day, but long. I had praise team brush-up at 8:00, then, of course, praise team & church at 10:45. From there, I drove to Marion to meet up with my brother and his wife, and mutual friends of ours, Travis & Amy Vanest. They're only in the country for a few months, and only in the Wabash area for a few days, then they're on their way back to Albania.

I left their company with a belly full of ribs and wings, and 45 minutes to get back to Wabash to the Dr. Ford Home for a string quartet performance. The music was beautiful, even if the ground was sloshy from the uncooperative weather (RAIN!).

I left the Ford home with sunburn isolated on the left side of my body and 10 minutes to pick up some burn cream and head to Charley Creek Gardens to hear an electric violinist and her band. The music was catchy, even if there was no dance floor to let the cha-cha out. I then continued to the Gardens building to hear a lecture about Music & the Community and a dinner following. It was the culmination of the first annual Charley Creek Music Festival (in coordination with the Paradise Spring Arts Festival). The day was just lovely, and it ended at 9:30-ish when I finally arrived home.

At work today in preparation for my 4-day weekend for the 4th of July, and anxiously awaiting baby news from my cousin Julia, who is a few days past her due date for Wren Alice Stotlar.

Planning to see Footloose at the Wagon Wheel this weekend, with my Kira friend playing Vi, the preacher's wife. Anyone want to go with?

New Do, And a Big To-Do!

So. . . it's been a really crazy week for me, here in the 'Bash. I had just finished the show in Peru (see last posting), when I got a call from my friend Evan on Monday. He lives in the northernmost part of Indiana. On Sunday evening, a couple and their son had stopped in at the restaurant where he works. Low and behold they were on their way to Wabash. The son, Ranaan, happens to be an amazing double bassist. I had seen him perform at the Honeywell Center in his group Time for Three. AMAZING! Seriously. Anyway, Evan said that Ranaan should look me up. Ranaan thought that was a swell idea. He gave Evan his number, and Evan gave it to me. So I was able to meet Ranaan on Monday evening. He was very nice, but I didn't stay long as it was me plus 14 double bass guys at this gathering. Even I'm not THAT ambitious. I then went on Friday night to see his concert at the Honeywell Center. (After buying a new dress and aforementioned 'do in Marion.) The concert was a culmination of a week-long double bass camp that Ranaan and two other instructors had taught that week. The music was beautiful, and with such an extensive variety, especially considering that it was all double-bass or double-bass and piano. Breath-taking. Honestly. After the concert, I went to the post-show dinner. I sat with 4 of the bassists, a co-worker and her husband, and a cutie named Ben. Excellent wine, food, and conversation. All in all a good evening.

Today, I worked til 4, then went to the Paradise Arts Festival for a bit. Bought a beautiful painting that I really can't afford, but I'm still glad I did. Then rushed back home, changed, and left again to have dinner with the fam at the country club. Ran into the bass boys from the previous evening, and was able to show off my nephew, Nicky. Then, it was on to see Bill Cosby at the Honeywell Center. I was amazed at how that man was able to reference his "naughty bits" over and over without actually using words that were over PG-13. Not quite the show that I expected, but still hilarious at 70 years old. Tomorrow, it's praise team in the AM, lunch with Martin, Tatiana, Travis, and Amy, then a concert at the Dr. James Ford Historic Home.

Busy. Busy. Busy.


Finally.

Another Closing, Another Show

Last Saturday was our fourth and final performance of Night and Day: A Soapy Cole. Legendary lyricist Cole Porter was born in Peru, a small town located west of my home. For the last 4 years, they have done a revue featuring his music, and I've been involved for the last 3 of those 4 shows. Each year has a theme. Year one: A Cole (wedding) Reception. Year two: A Cup o' Cole (a morning show). This year was a soap opera theme. In the first picture, I'm with my on-stage fiance (first act) and husband (second act) in the show, Dr. Jim Stone (aka Jeff Carnagua). In the second, I'm with Australian P.I. Krikey Dingo. I played Flora Gardener. Yep. It was that kind of show. Loads of fun, though. And it had 34 Cole Porter songs in it, not including the lyrics thrown into the dialogue.

I actually was supposed to be drugged/drunk the entire first act, so that was a big stretch. Tee hee. I did some research on the weekends leading up to the show. I'm totally method. My favorite song this year was called The Tale of the Oyster, which I had never heard before. I sang this song in the second act, so my character was sober. I think it'd make more sense if you were drunk, though.