Too Hot to Handel

A few years ago I had tickets to Too Hot to Handel, a jazz-gospel version of Handel's Messiah.  At that time, I couldn't attend because I was out of town for work.  This year I took advantage of my proximity to the theatre and attended the concert!  I was not disappointed.  The original Handel's Messiah puts me to sleep but this one kept me awake throughout.  The music is based on the original, keeping the same text and structure, but it done in with a jazz and gospel flair.  I'm not sure I will need to attend every year, but it is something to experience at least once!  Get an extended sample from the clip below.

Kinky Boots

Kinky Boots is making it's world premier in Chicago before moving to Broadway.  The show is written by Broadway veteran Harvey Fierstein with music buy Broadway novice (but pop music veteran) Cyndi Lauper.  It is an adaptation of the film of the same name which was based on a true story.  The show comes across as a hybrid of Billy Elliot (setting in working-class Britain) and Priscilla (colorful spectacle).

Charlie Price has suddenly inherited his father’s shoe factory, which is on the verge of bankruptcy. Trying to live up to his father’s legacy and save his family business, Charlie finds inspiration in the form of Lola. A fabulous entertainer in need of some sturdy stilettos, Lola turns out to be the one person who can help Charlie become the man he’s meant to be. As they work to turn the factory around, this unlikely pair finds that they have more in common than they ever dreamed possible… and discovers that when you change your mind about someone, you can change your whole world.

The show is headed to Broadway and I predict it will be well-received in New York.  The show is playful, but touching; colorful and light, but with heart.  I think it will be a hit!  I saw it toward the end of the tryouts and Chicago run so I'm not sure where it started.  Since it was a new musical and Chicago was the time to get it ready for Broadway, I read that some substantial changes were made during the process.  It seems to hold together well although comes across as a bit didactic and preachy as it struggles to come to an end without leaving any loose ends hanging.

Indonesia

Facts about Indonesia 

• Archipelago comprising approximately 17,508 islands (about 6,000 uninhabited)
• Home to over 238 million people (world's 4th most populous country)
• Capital city:  Jakarta (population over 10 million)
• Dutch colony for over 350 years (Independence in 1940s)
• Drives on the left
• World's largest majority Muslim country
• Currency:  Rupiah (~9400 IDR = 1 USD)
• Strattles the equator (between latitudes 11°S and 6°N, longitudes 95°E and 141°E)
• Official Language:  Bahasa Indonesian (form of Malay)

EVA Airlines

EVA AIR (長榮航空) is an airline based in Taiwan.   They serve over 40 international destinations on 4 continents.  I was satisfied with my flight although we were one hour late in departing from SFO.  I slept most of the hour so it didn't affect me much.  There was plenty of on-board entertainment (movies, games, music) to choose from on the personal seat-back screen.  Service was great with plenty of food, snacks, and refreshments.

EVA Boeing 747

Dinner is served:  salad, fruit, chicken and rice, vegetables, roll, cake

Breakfast is servied:  croissant, fruit, yogurt, sausage, eggs, potatoes

Lunch is served:  salad, fruit, chicken and rice, vegetables, roll, mushroom jello

All the Broken Pieces

Ann E. Burg, the author of All the Broken Pieces, visited a local middle school to visit with the students and teachers.  The whole school (and the broader community) had adopted this book for a community-wide reading program.  It was interesting to hear from the author on her writing process, the origins of the book, and her future writing plans.

This book was a quick read, but also a good read that kept me wanting to know more.  Unusual for a book written for students in the middle grades, the entire book is written in verse (like an extended poem).  In addition to a good story, the cover is very attractive and each page is also attractive given the shape of the lines and the demarcations indicating the end of thoughts or sections.  I would strongly recommend this book to teenagers and adults!

Ordeal by Cheque

Here is a story told with several checks.  Click on the link...  What do you think happened?  What is the story behind this series of checks?

A Long Way from Chicago

I'm taking a class for state teacher certification.  Among other assignments, we are to read kids' books.  One that I chose was A Long Way from Chicago (Richard Peck, 2004).  One reason I was intrigued by this book was its setting in Central Illinois.  The author grew up in Decatur, IL, so he is writing about an area familiar to him.

A Long Way from Chicago describes annual summer visits Joey Dowdel and his sister Mary Alice make to their grandma's home "downstate".  Each chapter chronicles events of the summer from 1929 to 1942 when the siblings are away from their home and parents in Chicago and living with feisty Grandma Dowdel.  At times Grandma engages in more shenanigans than the kids!  The chapters are like short stories and are engaging although, at times, a bit hokey.  The reviewer in this video is more optimistic about the book than I was when reading it.

Hot Club of San Francisco

You just have to tap your foot to the music performed by HCSF! The group gets musical inspiration from Django Reinhardt and French gypsy jazz.

All I want for Christmas is a real good tan

Not sure how much sun I'll get, but I'm going to enjoy Christmas in the Caribbean again this year.

Blind Boys of Alambama

I attended a concert given by The Blind Boys of Alabama.  They gave a good performance and had the crowd on their feet by the end of the show.  The group has performed for over 60 years (although some of the personnel has changed).  The clip below was filmed elsewhere but it gives a taste of their music.

Sara & Sean Watkins

Sara & Sean Watkins, originally of Nickel Creek fame, were the special guests of the Blind Boys of Alabama.  The played several songs during the concert.  

NYC Traffic

Having recently been to NYC, I thought this was interesting!

Ma Chance - Sébastien Agius

This song by Sebastien Agius was playing on an MTV-type channel on the TV in the hotel in Paris. I thought it had a catchy melody and beat. The French music video also had unique views across the Parisian skyline; however, North America does not have rights to that version.
 

Christmas in the Caribbean

I'm going to enjoy Christmas in the Caribbean this year!

Unfamiliar Fishes

I've been a fan of Sarah Vowell for some years.  Her latest book, Unfamiliar Fishes, describes the history of American colonization and annexation of Hawai'i.  With her usual sense of humor and social commentary, Ms. Vowell continues her tradition of entertaining and educating in this book.