Our Night with Zoe Keating

On Monday night, The Chick and a couple of our friends went to the Beachland Ballroom in Cleveland to hear Something Amazing. Well, more specifically, Someone Amazing.

Zoe Keating.

If you've never heard Zoe Keating before, you really need to right now.  The way she plays sounds like a million cellos because she uses a computer to record tracks as she plays.  Some tracks she saves and plays back later in the piece, and others, she uses right away as sound loops that she layers into an extremely full sound.  It is like Sound Cake with lots of layers!! 

First, I'm going to post this video of Zoe playing her song called "The Optimist."



I know, right?

Now, watch this video in which she tells you a bit about the song you just heard. In this video, she speaks about the different layers of "The Optimist" and what they mean:



To read more about the concert, check out today's Blisschick if you haven't already.

There aren't really any words to describe such an experience.  You know when you are attending a concert like that, that you are having a communal enlightening experience.  There aren't really adequate words for that.  So, instead, I thought I'd share some of my pictures from the night.

The Adorable Neighborhood Where the Ballroom Resides (too bad, as traveling companion Sarah said, "Monday is the new Sunday."  Nothing was open!)

Well, I'm not sure either, but I had to take a picture, right?

A Squirrel we met that somehow resembled a turkey...

Inside the Beachland.  Empty Stage Pre-performance shot.

Zoe getting her computer set up.  I liked this shot.

Speaking to the crowd.  I like this one cause you can really see her rocking tights.

End of the concert.  WOW!!!!  IT WAS AWESOME!!!!

Post Concert Empty Stage.  Cello is at Rest.

Cello, napping.

Good Night, Beachland.  Good Night, Cleveland! 

Musical Memories

Over the last few months that the Chick has been teaching YogaDance and other classes, we have spent a lot of time thinking about music here in the Lilypad.  For the Chick, the Music is pretty much As Important as the movement in her classes.

We attach a lot of meaning to music.  It is able to transport us to different times in our lives (both good and bad.)  I am struck with musical memories all the time.

Last week, I was confronted with a musical memory in the form of a donation to the Library.  We have a support group called the Friends of the Library, and they collect books and other items that people are getting rid, sort through them, and then sell them to make money for the Library.  People drop off stuff all the time.

And what did we get last week?  A box of record albums!!

It was fun to look through a whole box of albums, but there was one in particular that I had to write about because it was SO FUNNY!!!

This album is one that I grew up with.  My dad owned it.  He LOVED Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass.

Who doesn't, right?

Well, I looked at this particular album about a million times when I was little.  Like seriously-- one million.  And every time I looked at it, what did I think?

"Oh, my!  Look at that pretty wedding dress!"

And so, there it was int his box of records and I saw it and I exclaimed to my co-workers, "OMG!  I totally remember this record!!"  And, I (innocently) held it up.

"Ummmmm....what is she wearing???" asked one of my co-workers.

To which I replied, "Well, a wedding dre...."  My voice trailed off as I turned the album around.

Here is what I saw:

OK, so this lady is totally wearing whipped cream!!

Hey!  I was little!!  I didn't know!!!

Anyhow, it was fun to remember and FUNNY to see it from a new perspective.

Zoe and Blueberry and I now leave you with this video-- one of our favorite Herb Alpert Hits, "Tijuana Taxi."  I swear, it will make you want to drink a martini.

A Day in Pictures

It's been a hectic day. Sometimes that happens.

I'm finally getting around to writing this post, and it's already after 5PM.

You see, last night, Zoe and I agreed that she would be in charge of writing today.

But then, she didn't quite get around to it. I asked her what came up, and all she would say is this: "Something Super Important."

I have no idea what that means, do you?

Well, no matter. I understand that she is Super Important and has Super Important Stuff.

Super, Super Important, even.

OK, so what I thought I would do is illustrate my day in photos.

First, I went to work. But on my lunch hour, I walked a couple of blocks up the hill on State Street to the Erie Art Museum. On the stairs for a lunchtime concert were 2 Heliotropes (in case you've missed out on my last couple of mentions of the Heliotropes-- there's usually 4 or 5--, they are my new favorite band. And, they are LOCAL ERIE-ITES!! Even Better!!):

2 Heliotropes jamming in the sunshine!
(A short video of them will surface for Flip Friday!! Stay tuned!!)

After a lovely bike ride home, my parents stopped by to drop off my most excellent kayak, The Loon:

The Loooooooooooooon!!!!

And, now, after I write this, it will be time for a little painting before dinner. The Blisschick is downstairs dancing (like a loon!) and Miss Zoe and I will do a little painting. We're working on a bit of a portrait of....well...someone:

Our cat will probably visit, too:

And lastly, Miss Zoe would like to reveal to you, her Loyal Followers, a wee glimpse into what she calls her Super Important Stuff.

Turns out, it is this:

Rolling!!

ROLLING!!

AND, MORE ROLLING!!!

Well, I guess that is Super Important. Therefore, we will excuse Miss Zoe from her writing assignment. Clearly, I should do my own work, yes?

Clearly.

A Few of My Favorite Things

Miss Zoe, here.

That's right. Miss Zoe the Rabbit.

What's the problem? Did you think Rabbits couldn't type or something?

Remember that the Human is out of town kayaking or some such thing. On a river. Can you even imagine? Water makes my hair curl. I can't imagine doing something that would make me so curly.

Look-- Me, not curly.

Just remember, human-- anything you can do, Rabbits do better!

Except take pictures. We're too small to hold the camera. Also, there's that no thumb issue, and the claws that get in the way. But, really, things like that are precisely why we Rabbits have minions. To do the Menial Tasks.

So here's what today is about: My Favorite Things. Zoe the Rabbit's Favorite Things.

At least, today's faves. It's a Rabbit's prerogative to change Her Mind.

Are you ready for this?

First, some bling:

This is something Lisa brought on her recent visit.

This is something Santa Rabbit brought last year.

Then, some art:

Woolykins Rabbits with a Cast Iron Bunny
from a shop in Niagara on the Lake.

And an art print called, "Escape from the Black Forrest,"
from The Black Apple.

The Black Apple's business card.
Cute as a Bunny, don't you think?

And, finally, some music. My new favorite band, the White Rabbits and their video, Percussion Gun. Get ready to rock out:



Awesome, yes?

I do hope this post was Informative and Helpful in aiding you to get to know Me a wee bit better.

I know. It's Important to you to feel close to me. Understandable.

Really. It is.

Half a Sheep, Reporting

Hello! 1/2 here!

The Rabbit Room is Rockin'! Motown! Painting! Writing!!

Since everyone is kind of busy, I asked if I could report today.

I've been wanting to say some stuff anyhow

For one thing, I've been blaming everything on the boogie, but, Dad says we can learn another lesson from Motown star, Yvonne Elliman, about using double negatives. He told me that in her one song, the line "If I can't have you, I don't want nobody, baby," actually means "If I can't have you, I want someone else."

He said that's called a double negative, and that that Yvonne Elliman is one tricky so-and-so, making people think she means one thing, when she really means something else.

People think sheep are dumb. But, my Dad says we're just tricky, too.

(Does anyone know what a so-and-so is? Dad won't tell me.)

My Dad also says there are 2 Sheep in this so-called Rabbit Room and only 1 Rabbit. We wonder why no one calls it the Sheep Room?

Oh, wait. My Dad wants to say something.

[Stock Photo]

"75, here."

"What my son, 1/2, is trying to say is, well, I mean, we're cute, too. Sure, we don't have long flowing ears like Some Animals, and OK, maybe we don't move at all. And maybe because we don't move we're not great on camera. And maybe we do need plastic Hello Kitty heads underneath us to prop us up, but does that mean we don't deserve the same rights and liberties of Certain Other Animals?"

"OK, son. Back to you."

[Actual Photo]

Fanks, Dad.

"Son, take your hoof out of your mouth"

But, Dad, there's thomething thtuck in my brathes.

"Just take your hoof out of your mouth, 1/2. Do as I say."

OK, OK! Geez! The orthodontist said I'll have to wear these braces forever. That really bummed me out.

Well, I guess I'm at the end of my time. I didn't really get to my report, but maybe next time!

This has been 1/2 a Sheep reporting to you from the Shee--er--well, the Rabbit Room.

Editorial Comment From Miss Zoe:

"I would like to submit this photo of myself to the discussion. This is why it's called the Rabbit Room. Does it get any cuter than a Rabbit in a barrette? Seriously?

"Sheep are going to have to crank it up a notch, if they want the Room. They can bring it. I'll be waiting...."

Time Out!

Erie, Pennsylvania is a fairly small town. I think we have about 100,000 people who live in the city. Two of them are the Blisschick and me, of course.

But, don't let the small town thing fool you. We still get plenty of excitement here. If you saw my post from Memorial Day weekend, you'll see we went to the Russian Festival, the local brewpub, and many days over the past week, when I had some days off, we went to the beach.

But, wait-- it gets better.

Within a few mile radius of our home (a.k.a. The Lilypad), are two universities within the city limits. One of them, Mercyhurst College, often has AMAZING concerts at their D'Angelo Performing Arts Center.

And this past weekend, their amazing concert was none other than...

THE DAVE BRUBECK QUARTET!!!

If you're a jazz fan, you're probably already familiar with Dave Brubeck. But, if you're not, check out this video. It will give you an idea of what you've been missing:



Of course, that video is from a few years ago. Now, he's almost 90.

I have loved Dave Brubeck for most of my life. When I told my mom we were going to see him, she said, "How exciting! Your father and I used to listen to him when we were in college." Then, she added to my father: "Who knew he was still alive?"

Well, Mom, hopefully someone did. Preferably himself.

Dave Brubeck has done so much to change the face of jazz. The Blisschick and I were just discussing the other day how we can totally hear his influence on everything from other jazz musicians like Brad Mehldau to alternative groups like Spoon.

It was amazing to watch Dave Brubeck on stage. Though he's been in and out of the hospital-- he said he'd only played one other time in the past two months-- when he sat down at the piano, it was like he was 40 years old.

And the other guys in his quartet were simply AMAZING.

We even got the extra special bonus of hearing Matt Brubeck, Dave's son, play the cello. Yes, the jazz cello, the improvisational jazz cello. What a treat to see father and son on stage. He was so proud of his son. A lot of the time, when his son was playing, he would just sit back and smile. Or clap. Or dance. Cool.

Seeing Dave Brubeck was meeting a lifelong goal. And it was a total accident that it happened. I just happened to come across info about the concert a week and a half before. And, there just happened to still be tickets left.

Well, that's fine with me.

It's like the Universe really wanted us to see Dave Brubeck.

Thanks, Universe.

Too bad Miss Zoe couldn't go. She would have loved it.