Sal's Super-Busy Day: Part Two -- "A Midsummer Night's Dream"

I think I'm a reasonably intelligent person, but whenever I try to read a Shakespeare play, I don't know what the heck the characters are talking about.  Therefore, a Shakespeare fan I am not.  Saturday night, however, found me attending a performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream, put on by the  Cleveland Shakespeare Festival at Lakewood Park.  Why would I do this?  Because my very British mother is a big fan of Shakespeare and doesn't often have the opportunity to do interesting things.  She is very particular about what she likes -- and what she doesn't -- so finding things she will want to do is pretty tough.  Whenever I come across something I think she will enjoy, I'm on it -- so Saturday night Shakespeare was it! 

I made the trek out to her house to pick her up, and my sister drove her back home.  In between we were all mightily entertained!  The production was a delight!  And we were lucky to have chosen to attend Saturday's performance, since the Friday night show had to be moved indoors because rain was coming down in buckets. Saturday's weather could not have been better -- and Lakewood Park was a perfect venue.

Thanks to Brian, one of the Cleveland Jumping Fleas, and Operations Director of the Cleveland Shakespeare Festival.  If it weren't for him, I would not have known about this delightful al fresco theater. Another good thing about playing the ukulele = you meet other ukulele players who connect you with even more life-enriching arts.

Brian and Sal before the show.

Sal enjoyed hanging out on this sign -- which was literally pointing the audience in the right direction.

Anne, Mom and Sal.  Don't even ask...  ;)

Before the play began Brian told me that there would be a ukulele in the show, so I was watching for it -- and here it is!   Sal and I were very happy, because we think ukuleles should be scattered liberally everywhere!

After the show the talented troop of actors walked through the audience collecting donations -- and agreeably posing for photos with Sal.  Here is Hillary Wheelock, who did an amazing job playing Puck and Philostrate.

The actors in the production played multiple roles -- changing their costumes a bit to indicate their change of character.  Sal is posing here with Alli St. John (Helena//Quince/Moth) and Jennifer Cull (Hermia/Snug/Peaseblossom).  Both of these ladies were wonderful in all of their roles.

Sal posing with the blushing bride, Titania -- charmingly played by Pamela Harwood -- whose other role in the play was that of Hippolyta.

The Cleveland Shakespeare Festival will be doing this show through June 29th, and then Romeo and Juliet in July.  Go if you can!  Details HERE.

Sal is Soooo Busy!

Sal and I have been doing so many fun things that I am falling behind on writing about them!  But don't worry!  I'm currently working on a post about The Cleveland Shakespeare Festival production of A Midsummer Night's Dream that we went to last Saturday evening.  Next will be a post about the Cain Park concert we went to on Sunday night -- Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy.  And then a post about Tuesday night's show -- also at Cain Park -- by Hey, Mavis! 

Fortunately for Sal and me -- but unfortunately for people who want to read about the events listed above -- we're doing more cool things in the next few days.   We're going to have to take a break from having so much fun very soon or I'll never catch up!  Yikes!

Sal's Super-Busy Day: Part One -- CPR and Fun with the Fleas

Sal and I did so many things yesterday that I decided not to squeeze them into one post!  We started with a CPR class at Southwest Hospital.  I have taken CPR several times over the years, but it's always good to refresh one's knowledge and get the most current information about what is recommended.  I hope that I never have to actually do what I learned today, but it would be great if I could keep my wits about me and save somebody if such a situation arose.  Keeping my fingers crossed it never does!

Sal with two of the dummies (no insult intended) we practiced doing CPR on.

After the class, Sal and I traveled to Visible Voice Books, which is my favorite spot to meet with the Cleveland Jumping Fleas.  Half of our small band of performing Fleas gathered together to practice the music we'll be doing at a Ukulele Singalong at Middleburg Heights Library on July 8th.  The rest of the group was otherwise occupied, but this little bunch ironed out some of our performance kinks -- and had quite a few laughs, too.  It's always a pleasure to play with these folks!

Dedicated practicers!  From left to right, Bruce, Holly and Sal, Thomas.

After the pleasantly ukulele-filled afternoon at Visible Voice, it was time for Sal and I to get on the road and start the next part of our very busy day...  Read about it in our next post. 

Postscript:  As I read what I've written here, it doesn't sound like the day was that busy -- or interesting for that matter!  And the post seems a bit hum-drum.  At least it's short.  Never fear!  The next one will be much more entertaining.  :)

Sal Sees "Tappin' Through Life"

Saturday night Sal and I went with two of our friends to see Tappin' Through Life at the Cleveland Play House.  I heard about the show while listening to the local NPR station.   (I'm now pausing for the "I heard it on NPR jokes!")

This photo was taken from my seat before the show began.  We were in the front row of the balcony -- wonderful seats.  Sal is sitting on the balcony rail, which was wide and flat enough for her to pose on.  I was only a little nervous about the possibility of her falling on the people below.  Such a tumble could have been catastrophic for Sal -- and for the person (or persons) she conked on her way down.

Tappin' Through Life -- written and starring Maurice Hines -- tells its story through touching words and wonderful songs.  It takes the audience from the beginning of the Hines Brothers' remarkable career -- when they were only three and five-years-old -- through their time as a dancing team.  The show is in many ways a tribute to Maurice's brother,  Gregory Hines, who passed away in 1993 -- and to their parents.  It is truly moving and supremely entertaining.

Maurice has a lovely voice and it was a joy to listen to his interpretations of the songs that touched him throughout his life.  He was backed up by an all-female jazz orchestra -- The Divas.  Pretty great stuff.  And there is fabulous dancing!  Maurice has still got it at age 70.  The show also features some amazing young dancers:  The Manzari Brothers and Grace Cannady.

Beautiful old songs wonderfully performed + boffo tap dancing = a winning combination.  I left the theater feeling like a million bucks!

Clevelanders know that a giant chandelier was recently installed over an intersection at Playhouse Square, and this was my first time to see it live and in person.  It is truly huge!  We had attempted a photo before the show, but thought the chandelier might show up better in the dark.  As we left the theater, though it still wasn't dark.  (Hooray for long summer evenings!)  We weren't going to wait around on the street corner for darkness to come, so I took the following shot.

David and Tom (holding Sal) with the giant chandelier.  No worries -- I didn't ask them to stand in the middle of the street.  Thanks, Tom, for suggesting this angle.  You were right about the black building making the lighted chandelier stand out.

Go see Tappin' Through Life if you have the chance.  You will not regret it!

Sal Meets the Carolina Chocolate Drops

It's pretty amazing how knowing interesting people can bring wonderful new things into one's life.  This little tale is an example of that.  A few months ago I invited a few of my fellow Fleas to peruse the catalog of the Cleveland International Film Festival and, if they so desired, select a film or two to see with me.  One of the people who took me up on the offer was Nicole.  She came down to see the film The Winding Stream: The Carters, the Cashes and the Course of Country Music.  We both really enjoyed the movie, and yes, there's a post about that.  During the course of the film, the Carolina Chocolate Drops performed a song.  I enjoyed it, but probably wouldn't have given the group another thought if Nicole hadn't said "I love the Carolina Chocolate Drops."  Jump forward a few weeks to when the Cain Park summer concert schedule was announced.  And there were the Carolina Chocolate Drops!

That is how Sal and I ended up seeing a fantastic show on Thursday night with a whole bunch of very nice people!  Starting with a tasty dinner at Tommy's Restaurant, and ending with having the opportunity to meet the amazing performers and take the photos below, it was a great evening.

Lesson learned = hang out with interesting people and you will do interesting things, too.  Thanks, Nicole!

Part of our concert-going group.  From left to right:  Bruce, Nicole with Sal, Weezle, and Laurie.  See how close our seats were to the stage!?

The Carolina Chocolate Drops during their super-entertaining performance.  Such great music!  I would see them again in a minute!

After the show the group signed posters, CDs, record albums, tickets, etc.  Of course I asked them to pose with Sal!  You can see that they are not just amazing musicians -- they are a fun bunch of people!

I ran into several people I knew at the show, including my friend Heidi and her mom Raenell.  As we were starting to say our goodnights, we saw the wonderful dancers whose fabulous footwork had added a lot to the show.  Of course I couldn't resist asking them to pose with Sal, too, and they were super nice about it.  From left to right:  Heidi, Raenell, Matthew Olwell and Emily Oleson (holding Sal) of the Good Foot Dance Company, and Bruce.

If you ever have the chance to see the Carolina Chocolate Drops, don't hesitate!  Get a ticket and go!!!

Sal Goes to a "Play Ukulele by Ear" Workshop

When I received an e-mail a few weeks ago about a Play Ukulele by Ear workshop at Elderly Instruments, I immediately decided I wanted to go.   Yes, it takes about four hours to drive there, and four hours to drive back.  Yes, I hate long car rides.  So why make the trip?   First, the workshop was to be conducted by Jim D'Ville, whose Play Ukulele by Ear website is justly well-known.  Second, Sal loves to get her picture taken with ukulele luminaries! 

On my last trip to Elderly I ate breakfast at Pablo's Old Town  (read this post if you want to know about that trip).  The gentleman who helped me -- who I assumed was the owner -- was very friendly and chatty.  At that time I did not ask him to pose for a picture with Sal, but regretted it later, so when we workshop-attending Fleas were talking about where to meet for lunch, I suggested going to Pablo's -- hoping to get the photo I didn't get last time.  Unfortunately, the gentleman was not there, so I didn't get the desired photo.  Lesson learned = don't pass up an opportunity thinking that it may present itself again.  Maybe it will, but maybe it won't.

Lunch with Holly, Sal, and Tabitha at Pablo's Old Town. 

Sal with my chicken enchilada plate.

After lunch we walked to Elderly and took our seats in the steaming hot Elderly basement room where workshops take place.  (I spent the few moments before class fanning myself with a chord chart.)  As soon as class began, however, the excess heat was forgotten, as we were all focused on using our ears!  Mr. D'Ville was a good teacher -- using much humor to get his message across.  I think we all learned some pretty cool things, and were glad we made the trip.  After the workshop, I asked Jim D'Ville to pose with Sal, and he graciously agreed to do so. 

"Pensive"

"Funny"

"Shy?"

Then it was time to leave the basement and look at the enticing array of ukuleles in the store above.  I was not planning to buy one, and held to my resolve, but Sal and I were thrilled to watch Holly select and purchase an absolutely gorgeous Ohana soprano ukulele. 

Holly with her new ukulele -- and Sal, of course.  According to the gentleman who helped Holly make her selection, the top of this uke is made of redwood salvaged from a submerged log.  It is truly a most beautiful instrument.  This picture doesn't do it justice.

We traveled safely home, and now the challenge is finding time to practice what we learned.  Sigh...

Sal Goes to a Hula Lesson

Since the ukulele is a Hawaiian instrument, it makes sense that a ukulele group should be able to play a Hawaiian song or two.  With that in mind, four intrepid members of the Performing Flea group (subsidiary of the Cleveland Jumping Fleas) spent an evening with Dahmia -- a hula teacher extraordinaire.  Of course Sal came along to join in the fun.  Dahmia had agreed to teach us the hula hand motions for the song Beautiful Kauai.  We enjoyed a meal together and then Dahmia showed us the motions, and very kindly allowed me to videotape her with my phone so we could refer back to the recording when trying to remember what to do later.  She also had lots of fascinating tales to tell about the hula training program she attended.  You can find out more about her in this article from Cleveland Magazine. 

Dahmia and Sal

After the lesson I asked everyone to pose with Sal.  Of course Dahmia's ukulele had to be in the photo, too!  I'm usually camera-shy, but in this case I figured out a silly way I could be in the shot, so I decided to go for it.  I stood at the other end of the looooong conference table in the room and took a photo of the rest of the gang on either side of the mirror at the other end of the table.  From left to right:  Lisa, Nicole and Sal, my reflection, Bruce, Dahmia and her uke.

We had hoped to break out Beautiful Kauai at our next Singalong performance, which will be July 8th at the Middleburg Heights Library.  On reflection (pun intended -- see photo above), however, we realized that there is no way we will be able to do the song justice in the three remaining rehearsals we have -- considering that there are lots of other songs to work on, too.  But we will learn it!  And it will be awesome!

I asked Dahmia for her contact information -- thinking that some Travels With Sal readers may be interested in getting in touch for lessons.  You can e-mail her at Dahmia@hotmail.com   She teaches Middle Eastern and Polynesian dance each Thursday through the City of Wickliffe Recreation Department.  She also teaches and facilitates at girls' nights, weddings, anniversaries, and birthdays.  

Aloha!