Two shows I enjoyed-Brule and Celtic Thunder

Saturday evening, I saw Brule at the Bear. It was a great show. Of course, three short women ended up sitting behind tall people. Luckily, there was screens we could watch. I enjoyed watching them dance, especially the tribute to Veterans. Didn't know they allowed photos, so I didn't have my camera. I liked watching the mini-competition also.

As I sat there watching, listening to the music, I thought about our night at the DECC watching Celtic Thunder. Both shows were great. The difference was...vocals. Brule had no vocals other than Paul LaRoche speaking. I recommend seeing Brule perform, if you get the chance.

Celtic Thunder sang some songs I hadn't heard before. Of course, this is why I go to shows, to listen to music I haven't heard. I found myself singing even though I'm told to hush. Sitting between my Mom and Cousin was a slightly dangerous spot if I find myself wanting to sing. Might get smacked upside the head. Although, if there is a strong lead, I can harmonize good. And there were some good singers here. I checked out their website and found the CD's I didn't have time to buy at the concert.

I spent a lot of time studying the bodhran that they had for sale. Now, I know what they are. Saw references to them in stories I read and didn't look them up. Sometimes, I'm happy to just imagine things. For some reason, I thought bodhrans were like flutes. I found out the instrument is a small hand drum. Live and Learn.

And tomorrow I will be watching my nephews and nieces perform at the Christmas show. Looking forward to seeing the new suit that one was excited to be getting. He actually got a little frustrated when I answered the phone and it was for him. He quickly put on his shoes and went home. He didn't even turn off the game he was playing, that's how excited he was.

Two great shows and one to look forward to. Life is good.

Magic Music

I'm sitting here listening to Josh Turner.  Man, I love his voice.  Very few singers have that ability to put goose bumps on my arms, chills running up my neck.  There's others that catch my attention, but yeah.  My son once told me that when someone puts a resonance in your ears, it's in harmony.  I thought "why wasn't I told this when I was studying music."  (Sorry to my music teachers-piano, guitar, drums.)  

There was another person who absolutely stunned me with his handling of percussion instruments.  That was my other son.  Christmas concert at high school.  I replay that memory quite often.  Watching him concentrate, never missing a beat, moving from instrument to instrument.  

At my niece's graduation, I watched the orchestra and I wasn't impressed.  Yeah, I said watched.  The music didn't grab my attention.  You'd think they'd have played in celebration.  That's what we were there for, celebrating the achievement of all those who got their Master's degree.  Solemn?  Formal?  Not before the ceremony.  You'd think they'd have made the instruments dance.  So, I watched the musicians fidget in between sets, watched them turn their music, watched them move around.  The difference between this and watching my son was the music.  

Both orchestras played, I watched both.  I remember music flowing around one and noise with the other.  Not just because my son played in one.  Those musicians made the instruments dance.  The college ones were too conscious of the audience to make music magic, memorable.  Like listening to Josh Turner.

Drums in my heart

I hear drums in my heart.  I feel the damp settle into my skin.  My toes are curling as the cold starts seeping in my wet moccasins.  My jingles are clinking with an added tone from the raindrops.  Spirits are dancing with us in the rain.  People are drawing together to get some warmth, or heading for shelter under the awnings around the vendor stands.  Now there is more room for the dancers but none display their best.  Ahh.  A chill breeze swoops through the arena.  Heads turn in all directions finally settling with faces pointed at the sky.  Trying to judge if the rain will keep on, is that a break in the clouds?  Should we go inside?  No, the sweet smell of sage, cedar, tobacco reminds us we must finish where we started.  

Vendors are making coffee, hot tea and the aroma entices people to get some.  The brief heat encourages a dance or two.  Moccasins are wetter, should have changed to tennis shoes.  Slowly change to street clothes.  Looking around and see most have jackets, sweaters and hoods are up.  

Powow season is fully under way now.  There is one every weekend from Memorial Day til Labor Day.  Three days, four on holidays, means a lot of traveling.  Most travels occur within five hundred miles of home in all directions.  Many have a set itinerary the whole season long.  Others decide as the weekend approaches.  Some like contest powwows, other are strictly traditional.  I prefer traditional powwows, less competition, more relaxing.  

The dance is winding down, people are packing their belongings, getting the kids gathered.  Some few are getting one last look at the vendors, trying to decide if one more item is worth the few dollars that they've earned through dancing.  Furtive looks as they check for parental locations, bouncing up and down as the pro and cons of the purchase are weighed, fidgeting as the traveling song is announced.  Too late, they have to hurry before the hand of doom drags them away from goodie land and into the day to day world of "no, you can't...." and smiles turn to frowns as the inevitable trip home is suddenly here.  Dancing eyes as the hand of doom turns to the hand of generosity; carefully, their dollars are tucked back into pockets.