Recent Happenings

1.  On Wednesday night E and I met up for a Mexican dinner and a show at Exit/In.  I had seen Dia Frampton preform on the TV Show The Voice last year and thought she had a great voice.  (she was on Blake Shelton's team and he is one of my faves)  Pat and I bought the tickets a while ago and he opted to take it easy at home, so I'm glad my sister was able to join me!  We had a great time.

2.  Pat was awarded his CFA at the Nashville Society's induction ceremony last week at Hillwood Country Club.  He was able to bring a guest and Paul was in town, so proud Paul was able to see Pat presented with this honor.  We need to get that sucker framed for sure! 

3.  Ahh, sometimes the cheapest gift is the one most enjoyed.  My parents got me my first bird feeder (it's a suet holder) for Christmas and Charlie and I love to watch it!  We've had lots of birds attracted to it. 

4.  We always jokingly call Charlie our little swiffer because he is always collecting dust/dirt on his tummy and legs...so here he is after he actually got ahold of a swiffer the other week. 

Dust away my darling! 

Hope everyone is having a great weekend!  We are heading out for sushi soon. :)

SNC

Last night I had the pleasure of seeing the Indiana University Acappella group Straight No Chaser with my friends Andrea, Sarah, and Lindsey at the Nokia Theatre.  SNC has been touring around the last couple months and also promoting their 2 holiday albums.  I had seen them last year in NYC and also multiple times in college.  This was by far my favorite show.  You can tell the 10 member group has really improved.  I think their vocals are amazing and they have a great act.  They connect with the audience and make little jokes.  They have some smooth and sometimes silly (intentionally) dance moves.  And we can't forget how cute they are - they were all in black suits with skinny black ties.  Not to be outdone by Carrie Underwood's wardrobe changes, they all had matching red ties for the second half of the show.  They did a nice mix of popular music, original music, and holiday songs.  I was definitely surprised (and happy) to hear them sing "Rehab" by Amy Winehouse and "Under the Bridge" by Red Hot Chili Peppers.  I had bought the tickets basically right when they went on sale several months ago, so we had 3rd row center seats - perfect.  SNC received a standing ovation after their show (and two subsequent standing Os for both of their encores).  They will be back in NYC in April and you can bet I will be buying tickets when they go on sale at noon today. 
PS For you Nashville people, they are playing the Polk Theatre on April 26th. Check them out!  All tour dates can be found here.

Wishful Drinking

Ok, so I've had lots of shows and fun things planned lately.  I love having a couple fun things to look forward to, but I've had more than usual lately.  Tonight Pat and I have $20 Hiptix to see Carrie Fisher in Wishful Drinking.  It's supposed to be very funny.

And since I've been telling you about lots of shows and concerts before the show, I'll give you my two cents now. (Shows in October and November)

Neko Case at The Wellmont Theatre in Montclair, NJ: I left disappointed because she cut songs from her set and only played 60 minutes and didn't even say goodbye or thank you at the end.  The microphone shocked her on stage and she seemed to take it out on the audience.  Her opening band Calexico was superb.  I heard that she played a full show, including Encore, at The Beacon Theatre the next night.  I don't think she gained a fan in Pat with our show, but what I heard I really did enjoy.  She has an amazing voice.  The benefit of the shortened show - we made it home pretty early and got plenty of sleep which was nice for a Sunday night.  Oh, and I did really enjoy having 3rd row center seats!

Ray Lamontagne at The Beacon Theatre: I was amazed that he entertained a full house with just him and his guitar (and harmonica for a couple songs).  I should have looked more closely at my ticket - it said Solo.  I think I would have enjoyed it more if he'd had a band with him, but I think he was great.  Funny interactions with the crowd too.  I want to get more of his music.  He must have made a killing that night, pretty expensive tickets and no band to pay.  We had to leave a little bit early to make our bus, but overall, great show. 

After Miss Julie on Broadway: This play only had 3 actors, and I was impressed by all of them.  Sienna Miller and Johnny Lee Miller being the stars.  Since we had cheap seats up in the balcony I missed a few lines because I couldn't hear everything.  Short show, the end of the show could've fooled me into being intermission.  Great set.  But don't rush out to see it. 

Brad Paisley and Dierks Bently at Madison Square Garden: Full of hits and fun!  I love both of these guys and there is nothing like a country concert.  Brad sure earned that CMA for Male Vocalist of the year.

The Avett Brothers at Terminal 5: I had basically never heard of these guys when I was talked into buying a ticket.  I feel like a true fan now.  The show was fabulous!

Bye Bye Birdie on Broadway: Cute and fun musical.  John Stamos and Bill Irwin were great.  They encountered a set problem towards the beginning of the show.  Curtains had to be closed so it could be fixed.  John Stamos entertained the crowd during that break and called his buddy Bob Saget up on stage to join him.  I love live theatre, you never know what to expect.  The majority of the cast are teenagers (or at least look like it) and I thought they did a great job.

Bruce Springsteen at Giants Stadium:  This guy can't be beat.  Man, he can put on a show!  He played the entire Born to Run album and plenty of other songs.  The E Street Band is the best.  I think I'd see him in concert every week if I could and I think my friend Barry does!

Ray LaMontagne

Have you ever listened to Ray LaMontagne?  Well, we are going to his concert at the Beacon Theatre tonight!  Back when we bought tickets a couple months ago, I really only knew one song (You Are The Best Thing) but I know my sister in law Maura likes him, so it sounded like a fun double date for us.  I was just listening to some more songs and they all sound great.  If you'd like, you can listen to some songs here.  Maura used to live on the Upper West Side so I am sure it will be nice for her to be back in her 'hood again.  We're first meeting for a drink at Emerald Inn and then heading for an Italian Dinner at Pappardella, then off to the show!  Can't wait...Off I go!

American Saturday Night

You might be thinking it's Wednesday, unfortunately not Saturday. 

Tonight- Pat, Dave, Dia, and I are hitting up Madison Square Garden for the American Saturday Night Tour with Brad Paisley and Dierks Bentley.  Last week they had a 24 hour 2-for-1 ticket sale.  Glad I took advantage of that; I am sure it will be a great show.  I ran into Dierks Bentley in Nashville one time, but I've never seen either of them in concert.

Here is a question for you:  What was your first ever concert?

As I am sure you know, I love live shows!!  I have been to tons of concerts over the years.  My first one was Brooks and Dunn in 3rd grade.  :o)

Tailgating for the Boss

We lucked out and the weather ended up being fine. I guess since we packed umbrellas and ponchos we didn't need them. Plenty of foods (and drink) to be had - hamburgers, cheeseburgers, hot dogs, spicy and sweet sausages, spinach dip with celery and carrots, chips, mini pizzas, cookies, you get the picture...

I thought the concert was amazing. I really like the new song Wrecking Ball, which started the concert off. The Meadowlands is being demolished after the Giants & Jets season ends so the song is a bit of a eulogy for Giants Stadium. I can't find a complete set list online yet, but he did indeed play the entire Born in the USA album.

Somehow my voice is still with me today. :)

The group (minus Dave & Dia)
Pat (grill master) and me.

Giants Stadium and the new one behind that.

Warren had a new game called Washers, pretty fun and surprisingly difficult.

Dia and Alyssa

BRUCE

Bruce Springsteen & E Street Band at Giant's Stadium tonight. Word on the street is they will play the entire Born in the USA album.

Denis, Ryan, Warren, Alyssa, Dave, Dia, Matt, Tim, Evan, Elysa, Pat & me. You can find us tailgating in the parking lot before the show. CAN'T WAIT to see the Boss again.

Daily Photo

I was on a little ticket spending spree yesterday ~ got Hiptix tickets to Bye Bye Birdie in October and After Miss Julie in November. Also purchased tickets to Straight No Chaser in December.