Joseph!

This past weekend 4 out of 6 of my girls were here to see Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. I first saw this show in college and absolutely love it. This interpretation was a little different with the addition of rap and stomp style dancing but oh so fun.


Mollie's daughter Mattie especially loved the show. It was her first live theater production and for a 5 year old, she did a great job. She was riveted and sang along with many of the songs.


If you are in the DFW area, go experience your local theater offerings - we are partial to the musical theater offerings, but I'm sure there are many many plays that are great as well. Joseph was a presentation of the Dallas Theater Center at the Wyly theater downtown Dallas (and is showing until August 5 - you still have time to go!). The Dallas Summer Musicals are always great shows as well.

Bon Jovi

Sunday night I had the privilege to use a couple of my company's tickets to go see Bon Jovi in concert. A co-worker seated next to me brought her big camera and took the following photos. Greatness!!

It was a very fun evening with my friend Beth helping her to celebrate finishing her PhD.

Symphony

Many of you may not know that I played viola in the orchestra. From 6-10 grades and then again for two years in college....it was fun, though I never enjoyed practicing or rehearsals!!

Earlier this week, my good friend Sarah invited me to join her and her parents at the Dallas Symphony last night for a presentation of Dvorak's New World Symphony.

They all arrived at my office about 6:00, we dined at Paradise Bakery and then headed to the Myerson. Come to find out, they were giving free upgrades on seats! We had tickets up the top level, but ended up sitting on row P in the main center section on the floor! They were definitely an improvement!

Before intermission we heard two pieces - the overture to The Thieving Magpie (Rossini opera) and a very strange Asian piece Never Far Away that featured the harp. It was quite bizzare. Not really my thing at all.

Then after intermission, the main show. I really do love New World Symphony and the presentation last night was a treat. Most interesting to watch was how the guest conductor used no music! I don't know that I have ever seen a piece conducted by memory. Truly impressive.

If you ever get a chance, do go visit the Meyerson. It is a phenomenal venue designed specifically for symphony performances. There truly isn't a bad seat in the house. And if you go on a Friday night, you might get a complimentary seat upgrade!

More music fun

Saw another iPod meme on Karen's blog and decided to play.

Directions:
1. Put your iTunes/Ruckus/Napster/etc on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS!
4. Tag 11 friends who might enjoy doing this.

Here are my answers:

IF SOMEONE SAYS “IS THIS OKAY” YOU SAY?
"I Wonder Why" - The Sharks

WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
"Deep Enough to Dream" - Chris Rice

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
"I Need a Hero" - Chris Rice

HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
"Give Me Words" - Aaron Shust

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE’S PURPOSE?
"The String Song" - Music Machine

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
"You Move Me" - Susan Ashton

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
"It Works" - Alabama

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR PARENTS?
Medley "Give/Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus/With Or Without You/Your Love Oh Lord" - Third Day

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
"Let God Arise" - Zoe

WHAT IS 2+2?
"To the Least of These" - Zoe

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
"Baby, Now that I've Found You" - Alison Krauss

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
"With Hope" - Steven Curtis Chapman

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
"I Will Be Here For You" - Michael W. Smith

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
"Galileo" - Amy Grant

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
"Oh How the Years Go By" - Amy Grant

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
"Down in Flames" - Blackhawk

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
"I Know You're Calling" - Jeremy Camp

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
"In the Air" - tobyMac

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
"The Space In Between Us" - Building 429

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
"In the Shadow of Your Wings" - John Tesh

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
"Be Our Guest" - Jerry Orbach & Angela Lansbury

WHAT’S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
"Dane of the Reed Flutes" - Classic Disney

HOW WILL YOU DIE?
"Biggest Part of Me" - Take 6

DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU?
"Frail" - Jars of Clay

IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
"Moving On" - Sixpence None The Richer

WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?
"Know My Heart" - Sara Groves

WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
"Anything" - Sixpence None The Richer

Lyric

I have a new favorite song...."I Believe in Love" by BarlowGirl....the song is compelling, the harmonies are beautiful and the words are a balm to my soul. Hope you enjoy it as well....


How long will my prayers seem unanswered?
Is there still faith in me to reach the end?
I'm feeling doubt
I'm losing faith
But giving up would cost me everything
So I'll stand in the pain and silence
And I'll speak to the dark night

I believe in the sun even when it's not shining
I believe in love even when I don't feel it
And I believe in God even when He is silent
And I, I believe

Though I can't see my story's ending
That doesn't mean the dark night has no end
It's only here that I find faith
And learn to trust the one who writes my days
So I'll stand in the pain and silence
And I'll speak to the dark night

I believe in the sun even when it's not shining
I believe in love even when I don't feel it
And I believe in God even when He is silent
And I, I believe
No dark can consume Light
No death greater than this life
We are not forgotten
Hope is found when we say
Even when He is silent

I believe in the sun even when it's not shining
I believe in love even when I don't feel it
And I believe in God even when He is silent

And I, I believe.

Music Update

Last week, I told you about a free music offer. I got my free CD and immediately ripped it to my iPod. I've also put the CD in my car.

A quick review? It's great!

My suggestion to you? Go out and buy this CD. I was able to sing along with several songs the first time through. Granted, they may have been recorded by other artists, but Matt has a good sound and the songs are catchy. My early fave is track #11 - Lay it Down. Had to listen to it over and over.

Check it out!!

Free Music

Thanks again to BooMama for providing an opportunity to get some free new music. It's only open to the first 100 bloggers with 50 or more unique visitors a month to your site....so hurry!

http://www.mattmahermusic.com/blogformusic/

Help!

So, I have a two gift cards from my birthday ...... to Barnes & Noble and iTunes.

Though I love to read, I don't often buy books, so any suggestions out there for what I should spend this on?

I also recently treated myself to some new music, so I'm a bit tapped as to what I want to spend the iTunes money on. I enjoy discovering new bands, but it is so hard to just find them on your own. So again, any suggestions in that regard would be greatly appreciated.

Music Meme

Found this little meme over at Karen's. Some of the answers fit strangely well....others, not so much.

The Rules
1. Put your music player on shuffle.
2. Press forward for each question.
3. Use the song title as the answer to the question.
4. NO CHEATING.


Q: What does next year have in store for you?
A: I Give You My Heart / Michael W. Smith

Q: What does your love life look like next year?
A: Love Means So Much / Chris Rice

Q: What do you say when life gets hard?
A: The Apostle Song

Q: Song that reminds you of good times?
A: Flood / Jars of Clay

Q: What do you think when you get up in the morning?
A: All My Only Dreams / The Wonders

Q: What song will you dance to at your wedding?
A: Total Praise / Steve Greene

Q: Song that reminds you of your first kiss?
A: Oh How the Years Go By / Amy Grant

Q: Your favorite saying?
A: Mr Right / Garth Brooks

Q: Favorite place?
A: Alla Luce Dal Sole / Josh Groban

Q: Most Missed Memory?
A: Your Love / Jim Brickman

Q: What song describes your best friend?
A: Little Suite, “Chorale” / Bach

Q: What song describes your ex?
A: Love Without End, Amen / George Strait

Q: Where would you go on a first date?
A: Misty Blue / Dorothy Moore

Q: Drug of choice?
A: I Want To Know You More / Cornerstone

Q: What song describes yourself?
A: The Wildest Times of The World / Vonda Shepard

Q: What is the thing you like doing most?
A: Live By Faith / Chris Rice

Q: The song that best describes the president?
A: Let’s Go Fly a Kite / Dick Van Dyke

Q: Where will you be in 10 years?
A: Monday / Eleventh Hour

Q: Your love life right now?
A: Do You Believe in Magic? / The Lovin’ Spoonful

Q: What is your state of mind like at the moment?
A: Bridge Over Troubled Water / Michael W. Smith

Q: How will you die?
A: Treasure of Jesus / Steven Curtis Chapman

Michael W. Smith Christmas CD giveaway

Want a free copy of Michael W. Smith's new Christmas CD? Have a blog and are willing to write about the CD? If so, click below.....it is limited to the first 150 people who respond and qualify (so I really have no idea if I'll get one or not!) But if can't, maybe you can!

thanks to BooMama for the tip

UPDATE: got the CD in the mail while I was gone....stay tuned for the review!!