The Bloomington Pops held an "Oscar Party" this past Friday night, and created a concert-going experience that touched all the senses. This is the way classical concerts should be presented! Listeners today will not tolerate sitting in an uncomfortable auditorium chair watching a conductor wave his or her arms for two arms, regardless of how beautiful the music may be.
Before the concert, the Pops held an invitation-only welcome reception at a different location. We walked in on the red carpet, and we were greeted by a starlet in the requisite gold lame ball gown. How fun!
The room was filled with music and movie lovers, so we had good conversation, plenty of wonderful appetizers, and bubbly cocktails. The reception was held in the History Museum, and it showcased movies of the past, as well as our claim-to-fame actors, such as Kevin Kline. The movie "Breaking Away" was of course featured, as it was filmed in Bloomington around the Little 500 Race.
The reception also had quizzes and other activities to participate in, such as "guess the starlet". A photographer was on hand to snap our shots in the director's chair.
The highlight for me was when a piano player sat down and started playing music from movies. I couldn't resist, and I stood behind her and started singing along. She invited me to sit down on the piano bench with her and we just performed song after song. My mommy and I used to always do this when I was growing up. We could do it for hours! Of course my friend Deb and my daughter Taylor and her friend quickly exited stage left. Might they have been embarrassed?
The concert itself was glorious, and included selections from "Pirates of the Carribean", "Breakfast at Tiffanys". and "Star Wars" (what a GREAT way to end the concert!!!). Imagine listening to a LIVE orchestra playing the score while you view one of these movies! This was the closest thing!
What a great evening and truly the future for classical concerts. More of this type of event will create a younger and more faithful audience (and more support and resources to keep the arts alive).
3 comments:
gosh, those are some nice photos there, linda.
and the reason we exited stage left was because we were ready to go. it was that simple. really.
by the way, you're absolutely right about this type of event being what will keep people attending concerts!
all the best!
deb
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, let's give credit to Ms. Deb Owen for these AWESOME photographs!! She has once again embraced a talent she has and is looking to sharpen her skills even more. I for one, am very impressed!
And why, may you ask, are there no pictures of Ms. PhotoJournalist-to-be? Well, if she would SEND me the ones of her, then I would gladly post them!!! There was a GREAT shot of her posing as Audry Hepburn as Holly Go-Lightly (wad that her character's name?), but I have no idea where that is. Deb, can we catch it on YOUR blog????
first of all....aww shucks. no reason to be impressed, but i do look forward to learning more about my new obssession.
secondly, yes. you can catch that picture of me doing a poor holly golightly impression on my blog. your impression of marilyn is much, much better.
i do truly prefer to be behind the camera. and why not, when i've got fabulous friends who'll most graciously let me annoy them by continuously taking their photos.
and what a great job wanda did of taking your new blog photo!
all the best!
deb
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