Back in Black at The House of Blues

As that whole empty nest thing is approaching, Jon and I decided to make an effort to have date nights while we still have Abigail home to take care of Sissy.  These opportunities will soon be a thing of the past when Abigail leaves for college. 

Jon had never seen AC/DC in concert and we saw that Back in Black a high energy tribute band would be playing at the House of Blues in Dallas.  They were incredible!  This country music loving girl had a blast.  

There was a Bon Jovi tribute band as the opening act which was destined to disappoint since we've seen the real thing.  It was still fun to watch, but honestly there is only one Jon Bon Jovi. 

As a venue, the House of Blues is amazing!  We had dinner before the concert and it was New Orleans southern cuisine. The menu includes iconic dishes such as New Orleans jambalaya and gumbo, Memphis-style baby back ribs, and Delta fried chicken. So yummy! 

 Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not?” Luke 20:22

Mmmbopping in Fort Worth!

My happy, happy girl!  Tonight we celebrated Frankie!  For her birthday in August we got her tickets to see Hanson at Bass Hall in Ft. Worth.  She has been counting down the days for this special evening. 

Hanson is a pop rock band from Tulsa, Oklahoma, formed by brothers Isaac (guitar & vocals), Taylor (keyboards & drums), and Zac (drums & vocals).  They are best known for the 1997 hit song "MMMBop" from their debut album. They have sold over 16 million records worldwide and have had 8 top 40 albums and 5 top 40 singles in the US! 

But, more importantly Hanson was the first concert for Frankie. Frankie, her friend Alicia and I camped out for tickets to see Hanson for two days.  We ended up with third row center stage seats for there show on September 24, 1998 at the ORU Mabee Arena.  It was a dream for the two thirteen year old girls!  They sang through every song.  Ms. Cindy and I had a blast with them!  

Tonight was such a wonderful evening to share some of that with Abigail.  The audience is a little older but they still screamed, cheered, and sang along despite the much classier venue! When MmmBop came out, brothers Isaac, Taylor and Zac Hanson were 16, 14 and 11, respectively — and, were widely viewed as a prefab boy band. Now twenty years later they have reworked their music to symphonic pieces with a rich surge of strings and percussion.  But for my little girl, it was still those cute boys with the big smiles singing her favorite songs! Perfect! 

David also commanded the chiefs of the Levites to appoint their brothers as the singers who should play loudly on musical instruments, on harps and lyres and cymbals, to raise sounds of joy.  1 Chronicles 15:16

Phantom of the Opera

My birthday gift from Jon was a pair of tickets to Andrew Lloyd Webber's "The Phantom of the Opera" at the Dallas Summer Musicals in Music Hall at Fair Park!  It was fantastic!  I've always loved the music but have wanted to see it.  

Tonight's performance was a new production by Cameron Mackintosh.  The production, which retains the beloved story and thrilling score, boasts exciting new special effects, scenic and lighting designs, staging and choreography and has been hailed by critics as “bigger and better than ever before.”

The sets, costumes and singing were all phenomenal! And my date is a definite keeper! 

Like a dream when one awakes,

    O Lord, when you rouse yourself, you despise them as phantoms. Psalm 73:20

Sawyer Brown Concert

With the girl in D.C., the boy in Lubbock, and the oldest with a friend, that means Jon and I have a date night!  I've been looking forward to the for months!  Sawyer Brown in concert in our town!  Sawyer Brown was one of the first concert Jon and I went to.  Back in 1995 Sawyer Brown was the headliner with Rick Trevino and Toby Keith as the opening acts in Tulsa.  

Later we saw Sawyer Brown in 2005 at Billy Bob's in Fort Worth!  They are absolutely my favorite!  Their songs are high energy, generally appropriate for all ages and just happy!  

Tonight they played with Restless Heart as their opening act at the Veterans Celebration.  So many great songs and fun memories. I won passes for us to go back stage and meet both Restless Heart and Sawyer Brown.  My inner high school self was beyond ecstatic!  At the end of the concert the local VFW set off a beautiful fireworks display.  Best date night ever! 

"Well I ain't first class

But I ain't white trash

I'm wild and a little crazy too

Some girls don't like boys like me

Aw but some girls do" 

Carmen at the Dallas Opera

Tonight was George Bizet’s Carmen on stage at Dallas' Winspear Opera House. The star of this opera is always the Bizet's music. His masterpiece of dramatic keeps Carmen in the top 10 list of the most popular operas. This is the second time we have seen it at the Winspear. 

Carmen is of course the infamous gypsy at the center of Bizet’s opera.  She warns the men she attracts immediately: she is not a woman to be tamed. When she sets her sights on a trusting soldier, Don José.  Falling instantly in love with Carmen, José willingly follows her into a life of thieving, ignoring the attentions of Micaëla, his hometown sweetheart.

When a dashing toreador enters the equation, Carmen finds her attractions shifting to the handsome bullfighter, pushing José to the brink of desperation.  I love the music but I still have flash backs of Gilligan’s Island when the Skipper as Polonius sang to Laertes (Mary Ann) in Hamlet set to the music of Carmen! You know the Toreador song, “Neither a borrower nor a lender be, Do not forget: Stay out of debt; Think twice, and take this good advice from me, Guard that old solvency. There’s just one other thing you ought to do. To thine own self be true.”

For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey,

    and her speech is smoother than oil;

but in the end she is bitter as gall,

    sharp as a double-edged sword.

Proverbs 5:3-4 

Lyndon Johnson's Great Society

Today was a field trip day, which has always been the best part of homeschooling.  Sissy and I met up with Bailey's and other PEACH friends at the Wyly Theatre.

Last year the Dallas Theater Center put on a production of All the Way.  Today's The Great Society continues the story of Lyndon B. Johnson’s turbulent presidency.  

The play depicts the president's fight a “war on poverty” at home and his war in Vietnam begins to spiral out of control. The cast includes Johnson's political enemies as he fought to pass civil rights legislation and social programs.  It's filled with a cast of legendary characters—from Martin Luther King, Jr. to Bobby Kennedy and Richard Nixon.

The play is a fascinating piece of history that over glamorizes Johnson's presidency and boast his socialist policies.  It goes to great effort to make Johnson appear almost noble.  The play, which was billed as a student performance was laced with volumes of unnecessary profanity.  

The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, 

purified seven times.  Psalms 12:6

Harry Connick, Jr. Concert

My Christmas gift from my sweet husband was tickets to tonight's Harry Connick, Jr. concert!  Pretty sweet, I know! 

Frankie, Caleb and Abigail were on their own for the evening while Jon and I slipped up to the Winstar in Oklahoma.  The concert venue is about 3,500 people and is very family friendly no smoking, no vaping, and no alcohol! 

Harry and his silky smooth voice did not disappoint!  One of the best concerts, bar none!  Thank, Jon! 

Now to get back to Texas for Bible Bowl in the morning before I turn into a pumpkin! 

And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

Colossians 3:14

Samson and Dalila Opera

Tonight we kicked off the Dallas Opera 2017-2018 season with Samson and Dalila.  It is the Biblical tale of the Nazarite judge for Israel and his down fall at the hands of the Philistine woman. 

In this telling, Dalila is friendly with the Philistine leaders, the enemies of the Hebrews. High Priest of Dagon is a Philistine who plots with Dalila the overthrow of Samson. Abimelech, Governor of Gaza is a Philistine whom Samson kills in Act 1. Leading to the Philistines desire to be rid of Samson. 

The lead portraying Samson is one of our favorite baritones who recently portrayed Tristan in Tristan und Isolde.  Dalila was played by  Grammy-award winning mezzo-soprano Olga Borodina, making her debut at the Dallas Opera. 

The big finale at the Temple of Dagon brought down the house, literally, with the coolest special effects I've seen at the opera!  

Samson prayed to the Lord, “Sovereign Lord, remember me.
Please, God, strengthen me just once more"  Judges 16:28

C.S. Lewis Onstage: The Most Reluctant Convert

Tonight Jon and I had the opportunity for the all too rare date night! Abigail didn’t have any softball this evening so she was able to hang out with Frankie and not interrupt her routine. 

Over the last several years we’ve been able to see some of Max McLean’s one man plays like Screwtape Letters and The Great Divorce, both based on the books written by C.S. Lewis.  McLean is a very gifted actor with an amazing talent for acting.  

We have been looking forward to tonight’s performance since we learned about it a year ago.  The play ran on Broadway for fifteen weeks, which is amazing given it’s Christian theme. 

C.S. Lewis Onstage: The Most Reluctant Convert is a one-man play about an influential, world-class thinker.  C.S. Lewis (1898–1963), the British author and scholar  best known for his Chronicles of Narnia and revered for his religious writings. Lewis  was a man given as much to rationality and intellectual rigor as he was enchanted by myths and the imagination, he was converted in his thirties from a secular worldview to a deeply personal belief in the incarnated God of Christianity. Max McLean, portrays Lewis and wrote this script from a host of texts written by Lewis.  

For our Tulsa family, be on the watch for McLean’s plays coming to your area.  He should be performing Martin Luthur on Trial in your area in November!  It is the trial for the soul of Martin Luther, and the prosecutor…is the Devil. Luther’s beloved wife Katarina defends him as witnesses including Adolf Hitler, Sigmund Freud, Rabbi Josel, St. Paul, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Pope Francis take the stand!  

When the congregation was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked with them and urged them to continue in the grace of God.  Acts 13:43

KISS Concert

Date night!!  They are few and far between but they seem to involve a concert venue.  KISS was one of the few hair bands from the '80s that Jon has never seen in concert, so tickets seemed like the perfect birthday gift for him.  

I'm not sure I could name more than two songs, you know, the two KISS songs everyone knows but I do adore my sweet husband who has taken me to many country music concerts and operas.  

The concert was at the Pavilion of the new Toyota Music Factory in Los Colinas.  The Pavilion has a 4,000 capacity indoor theater and opens up to an 8,000-person capacity open-air venue.  The acoustics were great and KISS sounded great for a couple of 60 year old men! It was a great evening with my honey! 

Take away from Me the noise of your songs; I will not even listen to the sound of your harps.
Amos 5:23

Summer Sounds

Today we joined our friends the Baileys to bid farewell to summer and celebrate Labor Day.  We spent the evening It was a free evening at the Allen Civic Center for an evening of classics and pops ….everything from Beethoven to Phantom of the Opera! The Allen Philharmonic Orchestra & Symphony Chorus performed along with the Sweet Adelines. 

This program was sponsored by Allen Parks and Recreation where Gracie worked for the summer. The concert was one of several Summer Sounds Concert Series.

It was a great evening with sweet friends and wonderful music! 

I could send you away with joy and singing to the music of timbrels and harps Genesis 31:27

Darius Rucker Concert

It's time for a little country music!  Abigail's sweet friend Gracie bought her a Darius Rucker CD a while back and we love his music.  The theater was so much nicer and cozier than the big arenas in Dallas. It was a family friendly environment. Yes, I said family friendly even though it is at the casino.  You don't have to enter through the casino and it's not the drink fest that Jon and I have faced at other venues. 

The opening act was a group named Midland, who were recently featured on Jimmy Kimmel Live.  They are a country act with a Dwight Yoakam sound. They toured last year with Tim McGraw and Faith Hill.  They've got a great sound, they are still working on their stage presence. 

Then it was time for the main event!  Darius put on a two hour show that was incredible!  He stopped to honor a wounded warrior with house keys to a new home and a standing ovation or thanks to the veteran!  

Some of our favorite hits from the former Hootie & the Blowfish lead man are: 

This

Southern Style 

History in the Making

Comeback Song

Homegrown Honey

It Won’t Be Like This For Long

So I Sang

As a public service announcement for moms who think it would be a great idea to take your son and youngest daughter to a concert 12 hours before the son leaves for college and then out of the country. If you choose a country artist who happens to play a song with lyrics about the milestones of a young man growing up with a final verse, like:

No one believed in me as much as Mom

See, she worked overtime to buy my first guitar

When the angels called her home

My sister asked if I would speak

But there were no words to say how much she meant to me

So I sang, "It Is Well With My Soul"

And I played, "I'm So Tired Of Being Alone"

'Cause those were Mama's favorite songs

And what I felt would take too long to say

So I sang

You might end up a weeping, sappy mess! But still, so happy to have this one more sweet moment with the boy as he reached for my hand! 

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 

in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 

Summer Fun

Our last big hoopla for the summer was a trip across the Texas border for the Darius Rucker concert!  It was the our first visit to the Choctaw Casino Resort, and of course the kids first visit to a casino.  Abigail and I had a little fun at the idea of taking the Bible Intern to the casino.  

The concert venue joins the casino but you don't have to enter the casino to go into the grand theater.  We did go into the casino for dinner before the concert.  We enjoyed burgers at Gilley's and enjoyed hanging out together.  

The casino was filled with guitars and memorabilia signed by lots of famous performers. We were excited to see some of our favorite Oklahoma performers including Reba McEntire, Garth Brooks, Merle Haggard, Vince Gill even Toby Keith! 

The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;

    surely I have a delightful inheritance.

Psalms 16:6

Summer Sounds

Tonight Frankie and Abigail headed out to the Family at Allen's Summer Sounds.  Gracie is working with the Allen Parks and Rec again this summer so while Gracie is busy working Abigail, Frankie, Ella, Elaine and friends enjoyed the music. 

Tonight's concert featured country and blue grass performers Jolie Holliday & Sonny Burgess.  The parks and rec also offer free In and Out Burgers to the first 1,000 concert goers!    

What's not to like?  Dinner, music, and fabulous friends! Summer time! 

Like snow in summer or rain in harvest,

    honor is not fitting for a fool.

Proverbs 26:1

Norma at the Dallas Opera

Tonight we enjoyed the final 2015-2016 Dallas Opera performance, Norma. It the story of the Romans occupying Gaul in the first century B.C. The high priestess of the druidical temple, Norma, has been having a love affair with a Roman officer, Pollione. 

Even though Pollione has fathered Norma's two children, he no longer loves her. Instead, he loves a young maiden serving in the temple, Adalgisa. After contemplating killing her children, Norma instead declares war against the Romans. When Norma discovers that Pollione has been seized, she secretly frees him and puts herself in his place to be burned alive. In the end, Pollione realizes that he still loves Norma, and joins her on the pyre of fire. Yes, as all great operas are, it was a tragedy.

Several of our friends were able to join us for tonight's performance making the evening more enjoyable! One of the great benefits of the youth getting to attend these student performances is the social exposure to the etiquette of an elegant event.  For example, there is no late seating at the opera, patrons are to be respectful of the performers and arrive on time.  Also, to hold applause until the end of an aria and to cheer "Bravo!" (for a male performer) or "Brava!" (for a female performer).

Common sense tips are sent out to students by the Winspear Opera like:  Please remain quiet from the time the orchestra starts (the overture is part of the opera, too!) so that everyone around you can enjoy the music. Don't open candy or gum wrappers, talk, or text during the performance. Be sure to turn off your cell phone or watch alarm when you enter the theater. There is plenty of opportunity to chat with people during intermission. Please do not sing along, tap in time, get up and move around or try to read your program while the performance is in progress - it's really distracting to the people around you!  

It is by his deeds that a lad distinguishes himself

If his conduct is pure and right.  Proverbs 20:11

Dallas Opera's Madame Butterfly

Tonight we joined our PEACH home schooling friends for the dress rehearsal for Pucinni's Madame Butterfly.  If you are not familiar with the story it is perhaps the most depressing of tragedies! Here's my recap: 

The Opera is set in the 1890’s, at the small house on top of a hill in Nagasaki, Japan.  Pinkerton, an officer in the American Navy, has arranged to take a Japanese wife, Cho-cho-san, with the help of an mediator. Sharpless, the American consul, advises Pinkerton that his actions are hasty. But Pinkerton ignores this advice.

Cho-cho-san is a 15 years old. She was born in a samurai family, but the death of her father ruined the family. She became a geisha. She is pleased at her wedding, and she has secretly become a Christian. But, her relatives, who are Buddhist, sever connections with her due to her conversion. 

In Act 2 Pinkerton has returned to America, three years have passed. Cho-cho-san believes that he will return. One day, Sharpless visits her with a letter from Pinkerton, but can’t reveal the contents of the letter. Because, she looks happy with her child. After Sharpless leaves, Cho-cho-san confirms that an American battleship to which Pinkerton is assigned, enters port at Nagasaki. She waits for his return.

Cho-cho-san has a sleepless night, but her husband doesn’t come back. While she and her child take a rest in her bedroom in the morning, Pinkerton and Pinkerton’s “real” American wife, Kate, appear in front of the house. Cho-cho-san’s maid, Suzuki, tells them of Cho-cho-san’s innocence. Pinkerton is filled with regret, and promptly leaves. He immediately departs leaving Kate to talk to Cho-cho-san. Cho-cho-san gets up, and when she sees Kate, suddenly everything is clear to her. Kate makes an offer to take in Pinkerton’s child, but Cho-cho-san refuses unless he comes to get his child.

Pinkerton unexpectedly reappears. Cho-cho-san has already killed herself with her father’s dagger!

The music is incredible and the vocal range required by the lead is extraordinary, but did I mention it is perhaps the most depressing tragic opera ever! 

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.  John 16:33

Bon Jovi in Concert

It took nearly thirty years but I finally made it to a Bon Jovi concert!  Now of course this was Jon's third time to see them.  Jon saw Bon Jovi open for Ratt at the Tulsa Fair Grounds in early 1985.  Later the same year he saw them open for Scorpions, and Deep Purple at the Texas Jam.  

When I was Oklahoma Christian University I had a wonderful roommate Nancy who loved Bon Jovi.  In the conservative house I grew up in was limited to country music.  So the rock n' roll tunes of their first album Slippery When Wet were a whole new experience for me.  Nancy and I listed to that cassette everywhere we went in Edmond.  So much fun and so many great memories.  

Nancy and always talked that one day we would see Bon Jovi in concert, but school, weddings, and children happened.  About seventeen years ago Nancy lost her battle with breast cancer.  I can't tell you how many songs brought back memories of my friend.  She would have loved it! 

The other great memory for Jon and I tied to Bon Jovi is on the back of one of Jon's race cars I stenciled "On a Steel Horse I Ride" from the Wanted: Dead or Alive song.  That was one of the encore songs from tonight's concert along with Living on a Prayer.   We were able to enjoy the entire concert from the comfort of Thompson Reuters luxury suite at the American Airlines Center.  It was a great night out with my guy! 

Delbert McClinton Concert

This is my guy, he gets me! Valentine’s Day conjures up images of chocolates, roses and poetic cards, right?! My Valentine’s Day gift included a Delbert McClinton CD, 2 tickets to the concert tonight and a giant can of hairspray! Why? In 1989 I drove a 1967 Ford Pinto that had a Delbert McClinton cassette stuck in the player. It was the only thing I could listen to in my car, over and over. Jon would laugh every time he got in my car and I would just sing along louder. The cassette would later get traded in along with the Pinto that year. 

Tonight we headed to the Granada Theater in Dallas to see the now 77 year old McClinton perform!  His music is a mix of blues, jazz and soulful rock.

After the concert we were walking through the parking lot and there were fans waiting in line to get a photo with Delbert, I couldn't miss out on such an opportunity like that!  Jon just laughed and stood in line with me and took the picture! We had so much fun.  Thanks, Jon! 

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. I Peter 4:8

Long Tall Tale

This morning we headed to Oklahoma to see the Gungans.  Ms. Donna, my best buddy, my partner in crime for the last twelve years, was directing the play for their new homeschool group.  Donna has been teaching drama at the co-op academy, and today was the big day they put on Long Tall Lester.  

It's the story of the notorious outlaw Billy Black returning to Dodgeball City, leaving the current sheriff heading for the hills.  The townspeople decide to appoint the next person who walks through the door of the saloon (where only sarsaparilla is served) as the new sheriff.  Unfortunately, that person turns out to be Lester McChester, encyclopedia salesman. 

The play was witty and the kids did a great job on their production.  My buddy did a great job preparing the kids with everything from projection, blocking to covering up when things don't go exactly as planned. And true to her nature Donna was very humble about her role in it all which of course generated the desire of the kids and parents to shower accolades on her.  Everyone of the kids presented her with roses and love. 

Donna invited our other 'Drama Momma' Ms. Kathy and Hannah to this evenings play.  It was fun to reminiscence about all the plays we've worked on together through PEACH. So many great memories.  After the play the kids headed to the 10pm showing of Rogue One.  Besides the three Duncans, three Kirkwoods, and Hannah we added to the group Richard's girlfriend Melissa and her sister Hannah.  We didn't scare his girlfriend off and she got our definite approval.

We love our sweet friends and miss them dearly but are thankful to share these moments together. 

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

I Thessalonians 5:11

A Charlie Brown Christmas

Christmas time is here, and today we made plans to see Charlie Brown, Linus, Lucy, Snoopy, and the rest of the Peanuts gang at the Dallas Children's Theater! Charles Schulz's classic animated television special comes to life in the live theater production. We were all looking forward to seeing Charlie Brown and his friends discover the real meaning of Christmas but Frankie wasn't feeling well.  

Fortunately Caleb and Abigail were still able to make the performance and joined the Baileys and several other PEACH families for the holiday fun. We broke out the DVD for Frankie to enjoy at home.  The photo with Caleb and Abigail standing in front of Snoopy's dog house is them leaving a space for Frankie would have stood if she had been feeling up to joining them today.  

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Luke 2:14