cornerofmadness

When I was talking to evil_little_dog I found an ad for dueling organs in a church in Portsmouth (40miles from here) and thought do I need to do this? She assured me I did. I was a bit wondering what their charity is (i.e. church charities might be something I'm not for, like anti-abortion) So I headed (yesterday) to Portsmouth but not to do other things like I wanted to. one of the things I have to concede to this new normal is I can't do 14 things in a day.

Last time I was there I wanted to go to the portsmouth brewery but my friend did not (which fair, he doesn't drink) It's the oldest brewery in Ohio. So I set off because there isn't a way to get there according to my GPS (which is hysterical because it could find 2nd street last time) I hit the church first just the check out the parking situation because I'll be getting there in the dark. It's a big cathedral style Presbyterian church so plenty of parking (yay)

I know once I'm in the Boneyfiddle historic district need my stupid GPS. The floodwall is 'first' street so I aim for the river, hit it and off I go...at a snails' pace because the dude in front of me is going 3 mph. I'm like are you taking pics of the murals on the floodwall from your car? It's impossible to pass. We both make the turn and I realize I turned too early and I'm stuck behind dipshit and we went around the block and he slows down more. Finally pulls over and I get there...some 25 minutes later than I wanted.

And since there were no tables I'm like sit me at the bar. I'm cool with it (It's my usual since I'm alone) and I'm IGNORED. the bartender is too busy talking to her buddies at the bar. I was just about to leave when someone finally waits on me. the stout beer was good, the food was good but not memorable.

I am now too late to do the charity stuff before the concert (no biggie) The church is packed except the right hand side. I'm alone going 'wow, Presbies have CUSHIONS on their pews' (Catholics are way into suffering including hard ass wood pews). Finally these two guys sit with me and the younger African American guy has on a lot of cologne, not overpowering and actually quite nice. The older lady in front of us turns and says what I'm thinking 'You smell nice.'

The pastor (a woman, again something someone raised Catholic is always shocked (and happy) by) introduces the organist Aaron Shows from Pasadena who works with Pixar. Somehow I missed there was a livestream (so my butt could have stayed home and watched it on the computer like I did the villain concert the night before by Abney Park).

His first song was about 15 minutes of Spooktacular improvisation where the fun was trying to name all the songs (like Darth Vader's theme). I never did figure out what the dueling organ was unless they were counting the theremin which one day I need to learn to play one of these things.

They did two by Camille Saint-Saens, Aquarium from Carnival of the Animals (which I'm NOT sure I know) and one we all know (whether or not you know you know it) the Danse Macabre

Which was danced to by the Portsmouth Youth Ballet. They were in black unitards and covered in spiderwebs and about four of them were over 13 and taught well enough but the bulk were under 10 and many under 6 who mostly just ran about looking adorable. One of them will never be a good dancer but if enthusiasm alone made you a good dancer she's the next Twyla Tharp. They were all fun to watch. They also came out for the last song too.

When the Night Wind Howls (Ruddigore), Phantom of the Opera (hush, all the Webber haters, I love this damn musical), Grim Grinning Ghosts (Haunted Mansion) Say My Name (Beetlejuice) and Hellfire (Hunchback of Notre dame) all had singers from Shawnee State (my biggest competitor work wise)'s music program. Really did a great job.

But my favorites from the night were The Hut of Baba Yaga and the Great Gate of Kiev. I adore Baba Yaga and Mussorgsky has at least two works in my top 20 symphonic music list.


The Gollum's theme was probably the most boring of the works but they pulled out all the stops for the last piece, all three organists on the organ, the theremin, the ballet dancers and the singers (in costume) for a piece we were told we all knew thanks to Buggs Bunny. Well they're not wrong. We DO all know The Ride of the Valkyries from Buggs (unless we're very young)

Don't deny it. You're hearing 'kill the wabbit!'

While I could have tried to play the theremin at the charity after party I had 40 miles to go on super curvy country roads in a moonless pitch black night (we don't believe in sissy street lamps here apparently).

It was a fun night. I keep forgetting most no one says no recording any more since everyone has a phone on them. I should have brought a better recorder because what I did record is on my phone and the only way OFF it is to upload to social media which I really didn't want to do. Sigh.
let's continue with the Music Monday Alphabet theme with sharing songs that begin with a certain letter. Feel free to chime in with your favorite song(s) that follow the weekly letter. Hit me with your favs. I love hearing new music or revisiting older pieces. This week's letter is z! HOW am I thru the alphabet already?

( Not too many but here you go )