-Gin's Eyes-

2011 02 11 Quixotic Fusion at Liberty Hall

2011-02-12T10:12:00.006-06:00

Quixotic Fusion, Kansas City's contemporary performance ensemble, performed Friday night at Liberty Hall in Lawrence, KS. If you have never seen a Quixotic show and want to know what it's like, here's my best description: Quixotic Fusion is a melting of some of the world's most talented and passionate musicians, aerialists, dancers, and artists, who together create a multi-sensory experience unlike any other. Quixotic performances leave you amazed and with a new level of respect for what artists of different disciplines can create when their forces combine.

Aerialist Megan Stockman
Violinist Shane Borth
Quixotic Fusion

Dancer Laura Jones

Dancers Megan Stockman and Brittany Duskin

Aerialists Megan Stockman and Devan Smith
Violinist Shane Borth

2010 01 13 Vi Tran Band at the Living Room

2011-01-14T09:55:00.005-06:00

KC now has yet another thing to be proud of...The Living Room! An unconventional, artistic, cozy new venue to see theater and live music. My first show there was Vi Tran Band for their Live Music Thursdays series. I was very comfy from my second row, orange-cushioned, high-back swivel chair.

2010 12 14 Barclay Martin Ensemble and Friends at Jardine's

2010-12-15T21:25:00.000-06:00

2010 11 04 recordbar

2010-11-17T17:16:00.004-06:00

Barclay Martin, performing with Shay Estes and Rick Willoughby, at recordbar on November 4th, 2010.

Blog Action Day 2010 WATER

2010-10-15T08:00:00.005-05:00

Blog Action Day is an annual event held every October 15 that unites the world’s bloggers in posting about the same issue on the same day with the aim of sparking a global discussion and driving collective action. The topic for October 15, 2010 is WATER.

What does it mean to you to have clean water?

"Water"

To me, it means so many things. It means life and beauty and health. It means beautiful rivers and lakes and oceans to photograph and swim in. Unfortunately, there are many people on this earth that do not have access to clean water...890 million people, actually.

African women walk over 40 billion hours each year carrying cisterns weighing up to 18 kilograms to gather water, which is usually still not safe to drink. More than 3.5 million people die each year from water-related disease; 84 percent are children. Nearly all deaths, 98 percent, occur in the developing world. Clean water is a necessity for life and we should help all people have access to it.

Fortunately, there are ways we can help with the water crisis. Water.org is a Kansas City based nonprofit organization that raises money to build wells and provide sanitation education to people in developing countries. Their vision: A day when every person can have safe water. You can donate to water.org, and support artists and businesses that donate a portion of their proceeds to water. org.

While the developing world faces a water crisis, we in industrialized countries use more than our fair share of water. Educate yourself on water conservation and keeping our rivers clean. What is one thing you can do to help keep our own water clean?

Blog Action Day 2010: Water from Blog Action Day on Vimeo.

An Interview with Barclay....

2010-08-27T11:34:00.013-05:00

Video by Brandon Cummins
Editing by Rick Willoughby, with Giuliano Mingucci and Ginny Evans
Barclay Martin Ensemble
Click here for 9/24/2010 CD Release Concert tickets
Press Release: Water.org and musician Barclay Martin form partnership

Quixotic's Paix Reveuse

2010-06-18T23:08:00.008-05:00

As a friend of mine put it, "...if you missed Paix Reveuse, you missed having your breath taken away".

"Quixotic's Paix Reveuse"

Photography by Ginny Evans

Quixotic Madrid Theater 2010 - 2:30 from Quixotic Fusion on Vimeo.

Read what others are saying about Paix Reveuse:
Kansas City Star's Timothy Fin: Quixotic prepares for Madrid Theatre show and bigger things beyond
KC Confidential's Mark Edelman: Video thrills; Quixotic's the star
Kansas City Star's Derek Donovan: Review

Dress Rehearsals are underway for Quixotic's Paix Reveuse!

2010-06-17T10:39:00.004-05:00

I was able to stop by the Madrid Theatre Wednesday for a glimpse of the first dress rehearsal of Paix Reveuse.

"Rehearsal - Paix Reveuse"

Behind the Scenes of a Quixotic Photo Shoot

2010-06-06T22:26:00.007-05:00

Quixotic Fusion is a Kansas City based performance ensemble that combines live music, aerial artistry, modern dance, innovative lighting and set design, and cutting edge video projections to create a multi-sensory performance unlike any other. Quixotic's modern cirque performances leave you amazed and with a new level of respect for what artists of different disciplines can create when their forces combine.

Quixotic Fusion is currently preparing for their upcoming summer show, Paix Reveuse, which will run June 17-19 at the Madrid Theatre. Tickets can be purchased by clicking here! Below are some "behind the scenes" photos from a recent Quixotic photo shoot for Paix Reveuse, featuring Q dancers Laura Jones, Angie Sansone, and Megan Stockman.

"Quixotic Photo Shoot"

Quixotic Fusion's new space

2010-05-02T11:11:00.005-05:00

Quixotic Fusion Performance Ensemble recently acquired a new rehearsal space close to midtown, which is fantastic! The space now allows the dancers and musicians to rehearse together prior to performances, a luxury they never had before. In addition, the space can accommodate small shows and dance workshops. All of these things are very good.

Tickets for Quixotic's new summer show, Paix Reveuse, are now on sale! This is going to be an amazing show that you will not want to miss!

Click here to get your tickets!

Barclay Martin Ensemble at Crosstown Station

2010-04-09T11:23:00.002-05:00

Barclay Martin and his ensemble will be traveling south to Nashville to record their 4th album come April 11th, but they couldn't leave without performing a few songs for us at Crosstown Station.

VIEW PHOTOS HERE

The Legion of Extraordinary Dancers on the 82nd Annual Academy Awards

2010-03-08T11:28:00.008-06:00

I first saw this group of amazing dancers perform on So You Think You Can Dance last season, and was blown away! Then, last night as I was watching the Oscars, this group of dancers began performing to a medley of songs nominated for Best Original Song and I knew immediately it was the same group. They are called the Legion of Extraordinary Dancers. Everything about their performance last night was spectacular, from the staging, props, costumes and choreography, to the dancers' talent and strength. I have never before seen B-boys (extremely good ones, I might add) dance with such musicality and grace.

Now I know there is some criticism out there that the songs for Best Original Song were not performed live last night, but I would like to applaud the Academy Awards for choosing the LXD to perform to these songs. I think the smiles on the faces of the nominees, plus the few standing ovations they received, speaks volumes. I cannot wait to see what the LXD comes up with next. Maybe one day we can get them to perform in KC...

VIEW PERFORMANCE HERE

"Goodbye, Summer" EP Release Party at Czar Bar

2010-02-28T17:58:00.003-06:00

VIEW PHOTOS HERE

Saturday night I attended the EP release party for "Goodbye, Summer", the debut EP from my friend and KC musician, Vi Tran. We were treated to a live show featuring Vi Tran and the EP Ensemble: Giuliano Mingucci, William Brent Wright, Katie Gilchrist, Sean Hogge. It was a marvelous time filled with happy-tune-listening!

Check out Vi Tran's music and story here

QUIXOTIC FUSION promo video

2010-01-31T13:40:00.006-06:00

So you have seen posts I've written and pictures I've taken of this Kansas City based performance group, Quixotic. Hot off the press, here is their 2010 promo video, which is fantastic! I even shot some of the video used in this promo! Some of the shots under the gold dome I took at the New Years Eve WaterFire Fundraiser in Providence, RI. (My first post in 2010 was about it!) It was such a beautiful show that evening and the gold dome served as the perfect backdrop for a Quixotic performance!

Let's get our folk on...

2010-01-19T09:37:00.001-06:00

....at our favorite little jazz club on the Plaza with Barclay Martin Ensemble

Wee Small Hours: 1955 Jardines

2010-01-13T14:15:00.004-06:00

Recently I had the privilege of meeting the very talented operatic tenor, Nathan Granner. I checked out his show last night at Jardines, Wee Small Hours: 1955, which was a performance of the American Classics from the iconic smash Frank Sinatra album, Wee Small Hours. The show is actually a prequel to their more elaborate performance, Wee Small Hours: Post Modern Variations, which is being presented January 21-23 at Hemingway Gallery. In this performance, Granner will perform post modern variations on the featured album. For the show we saw last night, they performed the songs how everyone remembers them, classic and lovely. It was quite a treat to be entertained for the evening by such talented musicians and made me very anxious to hear what will be performed at the Post Modern Variations show!

The New Theatre Restaurant

2010-01-11T12:51:00.008-06:00

My father and I have been going to the New Theatre Restaurant since it first opened, 17 years ago. I was 11 years old when we first received a flier in the mail promoting the opening season and listing the shows. Back then, I was just starting to get into musicals, especially ones that had a lot of dancing in them. I remember asking my dad if he would take me to the musical being performed that opening season, and much to my surprise, he responded by saying, “Well why don’t we just get season tickets?” For 17 years now, going to the New Theatre Restaurant and seeing every show has been “our thing”. I snapped a photo last night from our table before the show began. We saw an entertaining little comedy called "Run For Your Wife", starring Garrett Morris (from Saturday Night Live!). It was another wonderful evening at the NTR : )

New Years Eve with Quixotic and WaterFire

2010-01-01T13:15:00.004-06:00

I rang in the new year of 2010 in the beautiful New England town of Providence, RI. My boyfriend is a performer and composer for the avant-garde, Kansas City-based performance ensemble, Quixotic Fusion. They performed at a New Year's Eve Masquerade party to help raise funds for WaterFire Providence. It was an amazing event!

The hotel we stayed at was in downtown Providence and within walking distance of the venue that Quixotic performed in, the Old Stone Bank. This is the view from the charming little bridge we crossed over each day on our walk from the hotel to the venue. This bridge goes over the river where the original WaterFire was presented 15 years ago, and still burns brightly over 10 times per year!

Click here to view more pictures from my New Years Eve with Quixotic and WaterFire

Radiohead: A Tribute recordBar

2009-12-11T09:09:00.001-06:00

Zamboanga: Poverty, War, Music CD Release Concert Yardley Hall

2009-11-08T22:48:00.025-06:00

Sunday evening I attended the Zamboanga: Poverty, War, Music CD Release Concert at Yardley Hall.

Zamboanga: Poverty, War, Music is a CFCA (Christian Foundation for Children and Aging) documentary film, set to be released in Spring 2010, that chronicles the lives of 12 teenagers in Zamboanga City, Philippines as they learn, practice, prepare and perform a concert for 10,000 people at the edge of the Philippine jungle.

The concert celebrated the release of the CD, Zamboanga: Poverty, War, Music, which includes songs inspired by the CFCA Documentary Film and written by Barclay Martin. Featured in the concert were the Barclay Martin Ensemble, along with the Sampaguita Choir and the Sinag-Tala Dance Troupe from the Filipino Cultural Center of the Filipino Association of Greater Kansas City, as they performed songs from the CD. The Barclay Martin Ensemble includes Mark Lowrey on piano, Giuliano Mingucci on drums and percussion, Rick Willoughby on bass and vocals, and singer/songwriter Barclay Martin on guitar and vocals. Special guest vocalists Shay Estes, Erin McGrane and Vi Tran joined the ensemble on stage Sunday evening.

What a moving, inspirational, and beautiful concert it was. I have always believed music has the power to change this world. In a country that is ridden with poverty and war, music helped bring together a community as 12 kids overcame their obstacles and performed a concert that will, thanks to CFCA, reach millions. I will be anxiously awaiting the release of the documentary film Zamboanga: Poverty, War, Music.

Click here to view slideshow

I would encourage everyone who loves music and helping others who are less fortunate to purchase a CD of the music from the documentary film. A $15 suggested donation for the CD goes towards CFCA's scholarship fund. It is a win-win situation; you purchase a CD with 10 beautiful, inspiring songs for you to listen to and enjoy, while your donation helps poverty-stricken children attend school when they otherwise would not be able to.

Click here to read more about the documentary and to purchase a CD

Click here to watch the Barclay Martin Ensemble perform "One by One" live at the concert

Congratulations to Barclay Martin and the Ensemble, CFCA, and everyone behind the documentary film Zamboanga: Poverty, War, Music. It was a beautiful evening, and my daughter and I are still enjoying listening to the CD over and over : )

Kalingkawasa kapit-os hangtud tanaan
Until we all are free from poverty...

Ailey II Folly Theatre

2009-10-22T13:46:00.005-05:00

Kansas City Ballet: Carmen Lyric Theatre

2009-10-17T21:44:00.006-05:00

The Kansas City Ballet’s Fall Performance this year included 4 pieces, ranging from a classical Russian pas de deux to a fresh and fiery Spanish influenced ballet. Frescoes was the opening piece, an excerpt from the full length ballet The Little Humpbacked Horse. In this excerpt, the figurines from painted frescoes are brought to life and dance about.

The second piece was Le Corsaire Pas de Deux, a traditional, well-known excerpt in the classical ballet world. It was inspired by Lord Byron’s 1814 poem, The Corsair, and pas de deux simply means it is for two dancers. This piece was lovely and performed effortlessly by Laura Wolfe and Marty Davis.

Splendid Isolations III was the third piece, a more modern, romantic ballet duet. Dancers Angelina Sansone and Juan Pablo Trujillo were breathtaking in this performance. The female dancer donned a simple white camisole leotard with an enveloping, long white skirt. Throughout the piece, it was obvious this long skirt was symbolic of something the female was holding onto, something that was keeping her from being with her lover. It was beautiful to watch the journey of this woman and the struggles she had with letting go of something she loved to be with someone she loved. I read in the Program Notes that the inspiration for this ballet came from Gustav Mahler (composer, conductor) and his wife Alma, whereas Mahler had asked Alma to give up her career as a composer before he would marry her. Interesting. No one should have to give up a love and talent like composing for their soon-to-be-spouse. But I regress, that was in a much different day and age.

The feature and final piece was the fiery Spanish influenced ballet, Carmen. Choreographed by the KC Ballet’s own William Whitener, it is inspired by the story Carmen published by Prosper Merimee in 1845. The lead character, Carmen, is a seductive gypsy who convinces a Basque military officer, Don Jose, to fall in love with her and renounce his allegiance to the military. This piece had a large cast which included gypsy and officer dancers, an on-stage guitarist, and a lady named La Hilandera, a castanet playing Flamenco/Spanish dancer. She played the castanets quite impressively while she danced, I might add. The lead character was played by Kimberly Cowen, who I also saw perform this role at the World Premiere of Carmen in May 2007. Cowen was fiery and elegant, and delivered a great performance once again in this ballet.

Kansas City Ballet’s next performance will be their annual production of The Nutcracker, Dec 16-27 at the Music Hall. For more information visit The Kansas City Ballet

Quixotic: Live in the Crossroads

2009-10-02T16:33:00.009-05:00

Quixotic Fusion gave another free performance, this time to First Friday attendees in October. It was complete with aerial dancers, a belly dancer, lights, live music, and even a glowing hula-hoop performer. I loved every minute of it.
Click here to view slideshow

Quixotic: Surface Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

2009-09-12T09:08:00.034-05:00

Quixotic Fusion continued to produce one of the most mesmerizing things I have ever seen.
I heard that the count was over 4,000 of people that attended Quixotic's latest performance, Surface, a partnership with the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. The grand artistic scale of this performance cannot be summarized or described in a few words; you just would of had to seen it in person to experience it's spell. I will attempt to describe my experience and share with you a few pictures from my view that night.

First of all, it was a beautiful September evening in Kansas City. My daughter and I had packed up a picnic and got to the Museum about 2 hours before the performance started. The lawn was already filling up with people and their lawn chairs! It was so exciting to see Kansas Citians come out in droves to support this up and coming performance group that started right here in KC, along with our city's fabulous art museum, the Nelson-Atkins.

There was a stage directly in front of the Bloch Building where the musicians performed. The music, which was composed specifically for this performance, was beautiful. Unique, flowing, rhythmic, and just plain mesmerizing. A concert of just the live music would of been Well worth coming to see. But a Quixotic Performance never satisfies just one artistic sense, it attacks you with art in every form imaginable.

There were 3 aerial pieces during the performance, each unique and each left me in a trance. First, a dancer (Francoise Voranger) suspended in a silk hammock, right in front of the steps leading up to the Museum.

Second, a dancer (Chelsea Teel Wilcox) suspended in air in front of the Bloch Building. Imagine, a silhouette of an aerial dancer with just the glow of the Bloch Building as the backdrop. It was absolutely beautiful.

The third and final aerial performance was 2 dancers (Jessi Fouts and Amanda Artigas) who scaled down the side of the main Museum building. I forgot to breathe while watching this finale. It was a living piece of art.

I have seen a lot in life as far as performing arts. As many of you know, my dad started taking me to see plays and musicals as soon as I was old enough to plie. This now being my second Quixotic show I have seen, I am a fan for life. They push the envelope to produce a true artistic experience, not just a show. Great things are ahead for this performance group, Quixotic. And Kansas City should be very proud to say that it began here.

http://quixoticfusion.com/

Barclay Martin Ensemble Firefly Lounge

2009-09-03T21:58:00.004-05:00

The gentleman were at it again......

A big thank you to my bff Jen for taking pictures this night : )

KCPT TV Dinner

2009-08-28T01:35:00.019-05:00

I was fortunate enough to attend the KCPT TV Dinner, a creative black-tie event held on the deck of the Liberty Memorial on an absolutely gorgeous night.
As I was getting ready for this event Friday afternoon, my 9 year old daughter said something to me that really got me thinking (although that happens often). I was explaining to her where I was going: a charity event where people get dressed up and enjoy an evening of great food from Kansas City area restaurants and live entertainment, and the proceeds benefit KCPT kids programming. Her response was, "KCPT, is that the channel 19 we used to watch all the time before we got cable?"
Wow. I was slightly sad. We used to watch KCPT all the time, and truly enjoyed many of their programs. I honestly couldn't remember the last time I turned the channel to KCPT. The channels my daughter turns to first now-a-days are Disney and Nickelodeon. I made a vow to myself right then and there to start tuning the channel to KCPT more often. In fact, I just checked the KCPT Program schedule and tonight at 7pm is the Best of The Ten Years of Riverdance. Me being the dance lover that I am, am going to totally dig that.

Go here:http://www.kcpt.org/schedules/index.shtmland find a program that you can dig, too.

The Barclay Martin Ensemble provided live entertainment

The evening included trips for all to the top of the Liberty Memorial Tower. The view is always breath-taking from up there. A MUST-DO if you have never done. This is the view of Union Station and downtown KC from the top of the tower.

Photos: A beautiful afternoon in KC

2009-08-20T19:25:00.004-05:00

Kansas City Sculpture Park - Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

Ewing and Muriel Kauffman Memorial Garden

Kauffman Legacy Park

Views from the Bloch Building - Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

Barclay Martin Ensemble Jardines

2009-08-18T16:14:00.013-05:00

The Barclay Martin Ensemble. If you are fortunate enough to know these guys, you know what I mean when I say they are the greatest, nicest, most talented group of musicians in the Kansas City area.

The brain power behind the group is singer/song-writer Barclay Martin. A few years ago he invited his friends, Mark, Giuliano, and Rick to join him on stage to complete his sound. What a beautiful decision that was. Do not hesitate to introduce yourself to any one of them after a show and tell them what you thought. Then consider yourself lucky to have met one of KC's finest musicians : )

Videos:
BME featuring Rick Willoughby on bass http://ginseyes.shutterfly.com/197
BME performing "River" http://ginseyes.shutterfly.com/196

http://www.barclaymartin.com/

Photos: Eleven Point River, Alton, MO

2009-08-16T15:07:00.007-05:00

Nothing like a beautiful day on the river with new friends

Click to view slideshow:

http://cmd.shutterfly.com/commands/pictures/slideshow?site=ginevans410&page=ginevans410&album=2211

Click to view video:

http://ginseyes.shutterfly.com/192

"Chicago" Starlight Theatre

2009-08-11T16:15:00.007-05:00

Chicago the Musical at Starlight was good...and hot. And I don't mean the temperature outside. Which let me digress to that subject for just a moment. It is August in Kansas City, right?? I keep looking at my calendar thinking it must be wrong, because I'm sure, by the temperature and weather lately, that it HAS to be October, not the middle of August. Usually, when my mother and I go to Starlight during the summer, there are at least 2 shows where we are perspiring like no body's business and can hardly breathe from the humidity in the air. You Kansas Citians know exactly what I'm talking about. This summer, however, we have had to bring jackets to every show. It's Crazzy!

Ok, back to the show. Chicago is steamy, that's for sure. There's adultery, murder, singing and stripteases, all in one neat package. My personal favorite number is the Cell Block Tango, where after Roxie is arrested for murdering her sister and lover (who she caught in bed together) meets other murderesses in prison. I never imagined myself giggling during a song about women murdering their lovers...but as the song goes, "They had it comin" :)

All the musical numbers in Chicago are great. The tunes from "All That Jazz", "When Your Good to Momma", and "Razzle Dazzle" were in my head for days to come (but in a good way). Good show, good times.

http://www.kcstarlight.com/broadway_shows/default.aspx

Alice performs for First Friday

2009-08-07T22:14:00.000-05:00

Click to view video
http://ginseyes.shutterfly.com/194

Pitch Music Show Case Westport

2009-08-06T12:16:00.016-05:00

I had the delight of hearing for the first time a great local KC band, Softee. Now, I didn't have much of a view of these 4 rockstar females, but I was loving what I could hear. These 4 girls work in the corporate world together and after realizing each other's musical interests and talents, decided to form a band. This is probably going to be my new favorite KC band to follow....
http://www.myspace.com/softeerocks/

Magnolia Electric Company Record Bar

2009-08-05T11:04:00.015-05:00

I am not totally for sure why this band has not caught on yet.

I originally heard Magnolia Electirc Company on Pandora on my Band of Horses Station. They do have a very similar sound to BOH. Their songs are mellow and beautiful, almost like lullabies of indie rock.The lead singer, Jason Molina, has a great voice, like the kind you'd want to have sing you to sleep everynight. It was definitely a good show for a great night : )

http://www.magnoliaelectricco.com/
http://www.therecordbar.com/

Kings of Leon Rockefeller Plaza

2009-07-31T16:31:00.014-05:00

Just something cool to check out.

Kings of Leon videos: Today Show
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/32234771#32234771
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/32234703#32234703
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/32234771#32235309

FYI: Kings of Leon will be in KC at the Sprint Center on October 13th

"Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" Starlight Theatre

2009-07-29T09:11:00.009-05:00

Imaginative and quite delightful.

As my mother was driving us into the Starlight Theatre parking lot (which in actuality is a plot of grass in Swope Park) I saw a woman standing on the side of the road taking a picture. Of what, I was not for sure, because all I saw were a bunch of trees. Then, I looked towards the sky and there it was. A beautiful double rainbow arched over Starlight Theatre. Absolutely beautiful. Foreshadowing for a terrific show and evening.

I started off thinking, during the first number, that maybe this was going to be silly and cheesy (which I had been fearing all along), but then quickly found myself smiling and wanting to dance along. I actually felt whisked away into this wonderful land of imagination where a special car came to life and helped save a single father and his daughter and son. It was a feel-good type of musical.

The set design for Boris and Goran's duet was just beautiful. Two shades of blue with a black shadow of a valley. A peice of art.

Overall, a great musical to be enjoyed by those of all ages.

http://www.kcstarlight.com/broadway_shows/chitty_chitty_bang_bang/default.aspx

"The Sound of Music" The New Theatre Restaurant

2009-07-26T08:56:00.002-05:00

To this day, if you ask my father what his favorite movie of all time is, his response goes something like this: “Even though this movie was played in our home probably three times a week in the 1980’s, it is still The Sound of Music”. He is referring to me, being about 4 years old, falling in love with the movie and watching it over and over…and over. Just for the record, he is not over-exaggerating when he says it was watched about 3 times a week in our home. The other members of our household can attest to this.

Therefore, when it comes to seeing my beloved movie performed live as a musical, I am always a little critical. I mean, it’s a rather lofty task to try to re-create the magic of the movie, with Julie Andrews as Maria, the 7 children marching down into the grand lobby of their mansion, and the beautiful backdrop of Austria. Not to mention I notice every single line that is spoken differently than the movie.

With all of that being said, The New Theatre’s production of The Sound of Music was very good. Despite a few microphone issues in the beginning, Leigh Ann Larkin portrayed Maria Rainer rather beautifully. She has a wonderful voice and was angelic with the children, who also made the performance delightful. There are 2 different casts of the 7 children (brownie points if you add a comment and can name them in order from youngest to oldest) and we just happen to catch the last performance for cast #1. During the curtain call, Ron Bohmer, who played Captain Georg von Trap, expressed an emotional thank you and goodbye to all the talented children he and the rest of the cast had been blessed to work with. It was an unforgettable moment, I’m sure, for the teary-eyed talented young stars. Ok, it made me get a little choked up, too.

I want to quickly mention a dessert item on the NTR menu for this performance. Check out the Chocolate Ice Cream Burrrrrgers, or how I referred to it when ordering, “The funky burger-looking thing”. It is 2 toasted almond cookies sandwiching chocolate ice cream, and strawberry and kiwi slices. It is also served with crinkle-cut cantaloupe slices and “ketchup” (a strawberry glaze). So fun and ingenious!

**Since this is my first time writing about a show at the New Theatre Restaurant show, I should probably provide a little history. My father and I have been going to the New Theatre Restaurant since it first opened, 17 years ago. Yes, you read that correctly. I was 11 years old when the New Theatre Restaurant first opened. We received a flier in the mail listing the shows, and I remember asking my dad if he would take me to the musical. Much to my surprise and excitement, he responded by saying, “Well why don’t we just get season tickets?” For 17 years now, going to the New Theatre Restaurant has been “our thing”. He has even kept every program from every single show we’ve seen together. Special times, for sure.

http://www.newtheatre.com/cs/cs_s17s5.html

Tori Amos Starlight Theatre

2009-07-23T11:28:00.014-05:00

I walked into the charming Starlight Theatre realizing that it was my last concert.

Well, ok, not my last concert ever, but the last of my crazy, un-planned week-o-concerts. 5 concerts in 6 days, to be exact. The first 4 concerts had all been incredible. Seriously. Sonic Youth, Incubus with the Duke Spirit, Barclay Martin Ensemble, and the Fray with Jack's Mannequin. Yeah, I had been one lucky woman. What show could possibly top this past week?

Well, walking up to our 6th row middle seats was a great start (Major kudos to you Mr. Z). We were so close we were seeing the opener's band members perspire. I think they were all wearing deodorant, though, so we were good. The opener was Eskimo One, btw. Ironic. They were actually pretty good.

(Between Eskimo One and the main event, we decided to check out the "VIP area" that came with our tickets. Not totally for sure what made it VIP, so let me know if you have it figured out.)

Then, this stunning, red-headed woman sauntered onstage. She stood between 2 pianos on an elevated platform and spread her arms out like an eagle. Oh, and she was wearing shiny red leggings, a long suede fringe coat, and funky platform stilettos. Ladies and gents, this was Tori Amos.

Man could she sing and play her piano.

More than once during the night, she would play pianos on both sides of her.

Click to view videos:

http://ginseyes.shutterfly.com/191

http://ginseyes.shutterfly.com/189

During Tori's rendition of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow, I received the following text from SueSue: Instead of ruby red slippers, she has ruby red leggings

My BFFs

The Fray with Jack's Mannequin Starlight Theatre

2009-07-22T11:27:00.003-05:00

A beautiful night at Starlight

Jack's Mannequin
http://www.jacksmannequin.com/

The Fray

The greatest thing about the Fray's stage was the 4-screen black and white video board hung above the band. At any point you could a close-up of the band. Very cool. I totally wish more bands did this.

Click to view video: http://ginseyes.shutterfly.com/201

http://www.thefray.net/

Barclay Martin Ensemble Jardines

2009-07-21T11:18:00.000-05:00

Barclay and Giuliano

Mark

Rick

www.barclaymartin.com

www.facebook.com/pages/Barclay-Martin-Ensemble/44625847855

Incubus City Market

2009-07-19T11:17:00.001-05:00

The opener was The Duke Spirit, whom I love. Unfortunately, I only caught a couple songs. They sounded just as great live.

http://thedukespirit.com/v2.1/

Incubus was awesome. It is sometimes hard, though, as a 5'4 woman, to see very well at a packed show at the City Market. Luckily it was a beautiful night and the little glimpses I could get at the stage were great enough to carry me through the night. Just being there and hearing Incubus live (finally) was well worth it.

http://www.enjoyincubus.com/us/home

Sonic Youth Uptown Theatre

2009-07-18T11:13:00.004-05:00

This was a very cool show to start off my totally unplanned week-o-concerts....For starters, the show was at the Uptown, which is probably my favorite small venue to see a concert. It is just so beautiful and artisitc inside. The opener, Awesome Color, did not do anything for me. Loud noise, and that was about it. Sonic Youth, though, was great. They sure can rock a few guitars. Or try like 15+. Lots of weird reverb guitar work. Kim, the front woman, is obviously one bad ass chic. The stage set was simple, with 4 canvases with red sillouettes of what looked like the band members. Great lighting effects.

Erika and I

http://www.sonicyouth.com/main/index.php

http://www.uptowntheater.com/UptownTheater/index.html

"Anything Goes" Starlight Theatre

2009-07-14T09:49:00.000-05:00

http://www.kcstarlight.com/broadway_shows/anything_goes/default.aspx

Alice The Brick

2009-07-01T15:23:00.003-05:00

My very dear friend Erika and bandmates Rachel and Bobby make up the band Alice.These 2 very cool chics met at college in concert choir and decided to form a band. Erika and Rachel switch between playing bass and guitar, and their female harmonies sound amazing. They play a lot of gigs in St. Joseph, but make the occasional appearance in KC, as well. They are definitely worth checking out whenever they are in town.

This night that I saw them at The Brick, they played all original music that they wrote, with one Radiohead cover, Nude, which I was totally loving.

http://www.myspace.com/aliceband

http://www.thebrickkcmo.com/band.asp?band_id=136

Quixotic: Lux Esalare Spencer Theatre

2009-06-25T15:38:00.000-05:00

One of the greatest shows I have ever seen. Other wordly.

http://www.quixoticfusion.com/

Thunder Over Lousiville

2009-04-18T22:29:00.000-05:00

Click to view video:
http://ginseyes.shutterfly.com/202

-Gin's Eyes-

2011 02 11 Quixotic Fusion at Liberty Hall

2010 01 13 Vi Tran Band at the Living Room

2010 12 14 Barclay Martin Ensemble and Friends at Jardine's

2010 11 04 recordbar

Blog Action Day 2010 WATER

An Interview with Barclay....

Quixotic's Paix Reveuse

Dress Rehearsals are underway for Quixotic's Paix Reveuse!

Behind the Scenes of a Quixotic Photo Shoot

Quixotic Fusion's new space

Barclay Martin Ensemble at Crosstown Station

The Legion of Extraordinary Dancers on the 82nd Annual Academy Awards

"Goodbye, Summer" EP Release Party at Czar Bar

QUIXOTIC FUSION promo video

Let's get our folk on...

*Wee Small Hours: 1955* Jardines

The New Theatre Restaurant

New Years Eve with Quixotic and WaterFire

*Radiohead: A Tribute* recordBar

*Zamboanga: Poverty, War, Music CD Release Concert* Yardley Hall

*Ailey II* Folly Theatre

*Kansas City Ballet: Carmen* Lyric Theatre

Quixotic: Live in the Crossroads

*Quixotic: Surface* Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

*Barclay Martin Ensemble* Firefly Lounge

KCPT TV Dinner

Photos: A beautiful afternoon in KC

*Barclay Martin Ensemble* Jardines

Photos: Eleven Point River, Alton, MO

"Chicago" Starlight Theatre

Alice performs for First Friday

*Pitch Music Show Case* Westport

*Magnolia Electric Company* Record Bar

*Kings of Leon* Rockefeller Plaza

"Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" Starlight Theatre

"The Sound of Music" The New Theatre Restaurant

*Tori Amos* Starlight Theatre

*The Fray with Jack's Mannequin* Starlight Theatre

*Barclay Martin Ensemble* Jardines

*Incubus* City Market

*Sonic Youth* Uptown Theatre

"Anything Goes" Starlight Theatre

*Alice* The Brick

*Quixotic: Lux Esalare* Spencer Theatre

Thunder Over Lousiville

Wee Small Hours: 1955 Jardines

Radiohead: A Tribute recordBar

Zamboanga: Poverty, War, Music CD Release Concert Yardley Hall

Ailey II Folly Theatre

Kansas City Ballet: Carmen Lyric Theatre

Quixotic: Surface Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

Barclay Martin Ensemble Firefly Lounge

Barclay Martin Ensemble Jardines

Pitch Music Show Case Westport

Magnolia Electric Company Record Bar

Kings of Leon Rockefeller Plaza

Tori Amos Starlight Theatre

The Fray with Jack's Mannequin Starlight Theatre

Barclay Martin Ensemble Jardines

Incubus City Market

Sonic Youth Uptown Theatre

Alice The Brick

Quixotic: Lux Esalare Spencer Theatre