Sal Spends a Perfect Summer Evening at Blossom Music Center

Summer is almost over, and Sal and I haven't done a fraction of the things I hoped we would do.  Last night, however, we did something pretty awesome.  We went with our friends, David and Tom, to Blossom Music Center for a wonderful concert titled Cole Porter and Friends.  The inimitable Cleveland Orchestra would be playing, and soloists would be singing songs from several composers/songwriters:  Gilbert and Sullivan, Victor Herbert, Ivor Novello, George Gershwin, a couple of others, and finally by Cole Porter himself.

We started the evening with a delicious picnic prepared by Tom.  We sat in a shady spot on the lawn to enjoy our repast.

Before we could dig into the yummy picnic food, Sal had to come out of her case and have her picture taken with our music-loving companions.

By the time we finished eating and chatting in the lovely cool breeze wafting over the hill, and returned the picnic things to the car, it was almost time for the concert to start, so we took our seats.  I wanted to take some Sal pictures, but David and Tom thought waiting for intermission would be a better idea.  It is fortunate that I listened to their wise counsel, as latecomers were greeted with much ribbing from the conductor, the extremely entertaining Bramwell Tovey.  This gentleman also made humorous and informative commentary on the pieces being performed by the orchestra and soloists -- soprano Laura Whalen and baritone Hugh Russell. 

At intermission Tom and I walked to the front of the stage and I began to take pictures of Sal there.  Tom suggested turning around and taking a shot to show how big the crowd was, too.

Sal hanging out on the edge of the stage during intermission.

Tom helpfully holding Sal for this shot showing the big crowd filling the pavilion and much of the lawn.

As I continued taking pictures from various locations along the front of the stage, a cellist appeared.  Of course I brashly asked if he would pose for a picture with his cello and Sal, and he graciously agreed.

The cellist, named Alan, posing with Sal and one of her much larger relatives.  I wonder if this cello has a name?  Because of lighting issues, I did some iPhoto messing around with this picture.  I really like it!

I like how this shows the underside of the massive pavilion roof -- and the crowds returning to their seats.  Intermission was almost over -- and nobody wanted to be the object of the conductor's humorous reminders that being late is a no-no.

Blossom veterans know that there is no point in rushing to one's car and trying to make a quick get-away, because there are many cars and not many roads out of the maze of parking lots.  It is best to hang out for a while and then stroll to the car to avoid a frustrating traffic jam and retain the lovely musical glow of the evening.  I decided to take the opportunity to get some shots of Sal, showing the pavillion with lighted stage and empty seats.  Of course we had to wait until everybody left the area.

David and Tom patiently waiting for me to finish taking Sal photos so we could go home.  ;)

Sal's final portrait of the evening.  I did so many things to this picture on iPhoto that I don't remember what they all are.  I wanted the picture to have a warm evening feeling to it, and I think it does.

After this we strolled back to the car, retrieved our dessert --  Fudgy Oatmeal Bars  -- from within, and partook of this treat at a picnic table before enjoying a traffic-jam-free drive out of Blossom and all the way home.  It was a truly lovely evening -- great picnic, wonderful conversation, fantastic music, perfect weather!  Can't wait 'til next summer when we can go back to Blossom to see our incredible Cleveland Orchestra in this beautiful venue again!

(I've also been inspired to get my violin out of the closet.  I haven't really played it since high school -- which was a looooong time ago -- but seeing other people playing violins always makes me want to try it again.  Perhaps I should take a few lessons and see what happens.  I have discovered that there is a fiddling class nearby...  I would have to take refresher lessons first, but maybe next time fiddling is offered...)

Sal Goes to Public Square to See the Fleas on the Big Screen

Tonight was the night!  The Cleveland Jumping Fleas would be seen by thousands of people on a Jumbotron on Public Square before the Cleveland Orchestra's annual free concert to celebrate Independence Day!  (See the post from May 31st if you don't know the back story.)  A bunch of Fleas talked about meeting on the Square by the Moses Cleaveland statue to watch the Jumbotron together.  The rest of the Fleas were alerted through postings on Facebook and Meetup.  The Jumbotron video was to be shown from 5:00-5:30 p.m.  Sal and I were anticipating a really fun evening with a bunch of cool people...

The day began with ominously cloudy skies and the forecast was for possible thunderstorms, but I kept hoping the evening would be dry.  As a pessimist (or a person who has been in Ohio for the past couple of weeks) might expect, it began to rain just as Sal and I were setting off!  As I drove to the Rapid Transit station, the downpour was so hard that I had my wipers on full speed.  I began to doubt that any other Fleas would be crazy enough to show up, but I had said I was coming, and I'm a woman of my word, so I kept on driving.  It was raining as I went from the parking lot to the train station, and it was raining as the train was traveling downtown.  When I emerged onto Public Square, it was no longer raining -- Yay!  And as I turned a corner and saw a couple of Fleas by the statue, I heard a familiar voice coming from the Jumbotron nearby -- the voice of Melissa -- our fearless Flea leader!  I quickly got out my camera and took some shots of the Fleas on the Jumbotron.  There was no time to find a way to include Sal in a picture -- the Fleas were only doing one song in the video!  I was very happy to see that I was not the only intrepid Flea who braved the rain to see our awesome group on the really big screen.  Unfortunately, because of the weather, there were not thousands of other people watching the Fleas -- or the other local musical groups featured on the Jumbotron.  For some reason (the torrential downpour perhaps), there were very few people on the Square.  

Luckily, because of the magic of technology, you can watch the video (minus Melissa's introduction) here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sY13gdQsOPk

The Fleas are on the Jumbotron!

A close-up of the Fleas in musical action.

After the Fleas performance it was time to get a photo of Sal with Moses Cleaveland.  Of course we had to include the other Fleas who made the trip downtown in such horrible weather!  I think everybody had fun despite the rain -- I know Sal and I did!

Not afraid of a little rain!  Amy, Tom, Melissa and Sal, Lynn, and Moses Cleaveland.

Melissa helping me get a shot of the statue without an orange cone in front of it. :)

Sal and Moses

Everybody taking pictures of Sal.  (Full Disclosure: When I saw one person doing this I asked everybody to do it.  I thought it would be a fun photo -- and it is!)

Sal Travels Without Me In An Attempt To Make It BIG (Literally)!

Every year the Cleveland Orchestra gives a free concert on Public Square to celebrate Independence Day.  This year, in collaboration with Cuyahoga County Public Library, there will be a Jumbotron video before the Orchestra begins to play.  The library advertised for local music groups to be taped for possible inclusion in this video.  Jeff, one of the fabulous Cleveland Jumping Fleas, thought it would be a good idea for the Fleas to participate, and arrangements were made.  I couldn't play along, so to speak, because I had to work the evening of the taping, but I felt that Sal must be there.  Bruce, a fellow Flea, was kind enough to pick her up and take her along to get her photo taken at this exciting event.  The best laid plans don't always work out, however, and Sal didn't get her picture taken with the whole group.  There is a picture of her hanging out at the rehearsal, though, thanks to one of the hard-working CCPL staff.  Thanks, Dave!

Bruce picks Sal up and takes her to the taping.  Love the historical/patriotic hat!  This is the only picture in this post that I took.  I stayed at work, and Sal went to the taping without me.  :(

Sal hanging out at the rehearsal. (Thanks to Dave for taking this photo.)

More Fleas have arrived and the rehearsal is in full swing.  Sal is already out of the picture -- literally -- but she and I are with the group in spirit.  (Thanks, Thomas, for letting me use this photo.)

The incredibly talented and attractive Cleveland Jumping Fleas!  I sure hope we get to see them on the Jumbotron!  (Thanks again to Thomas for allowing me to share this photo with you.)