Train Concert

One of my most favorite bands is Train.  Just something about them and their songs.  It's always a "feel good" moment when one of their songs comes on the radio, or when I listen to them on my ipod.

We got to see them at the NorVA a couple months ago, but it was such an open venue (and me being too short for my own good), I could hear them, but not really see them at all.  And they are such performers!  The shows are VERY entertaining.

So when I heard they were coming to Ntelos Pavilion, I decided to get seated tickets to enjoy the show.  Little did I know I would end up with FRONT ROW!

I didn't take my regular camera, so all of my pics are from my cell phone.  But it was still pretty good, and the seats were phenomenal.

He brought some girls on stage to help out with one of the songs, and they were all super excited.  The tall girl on the very far right (with the tiara on) was sitting next to us.  It was her 16th birthday.  How exciting for her!

Pat Monahan is just an awesome singer/entertainer!

This artsy shot was purely accidental, but has become one of my favorites!

And this is Jimmy Stafford (not Howie Mandel!).  He sure could play a stringed instrument.  He played several (including a ukelele) throughout the show!

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And finally, I leave you with a very short video clip of their most widely and popular song right now, Hey Soul Sister.  I wanted to record the whole song, and should have, but I also wanted to sing and dance wildly, which would have produced a much worse video.  And keep in mind, this is from my phone, so audio and video isn't premium.  But it's still fun and from the FRONT ROW! So here's the first verse and chorus....  Enjoy!

And then it was all over.  Well, not right after that song, but you get the drift....  At the end of the concert, after the encores were played, they threw out drumsticks and guitar picks.  The drummer threw us one of his drumsticks and we caught it!  (Hanging head, I forgot to take a picture of it.............)


Even though it was a Tuesday night (read: work night), it was a most memorable evening!  Can't wait til the TRAIN comes back to town!!


AMW

Indigo Girls

Tuesday night, I got to see the Indigo Girls at the NorVa.  You've heard before that I enjoy live music, and like the venue of the NorVa.  This was the 3rd time I'd seen them there, and again they didn't disappoint.  They are such timeless musicians, and reach a broad array of audiences.  Young, older, married, single, gay, straight, black, white, all basis were covered.

The opening act, Missy Higgins from Australia, did a good job of setting the acoustic stage, and getting everyone in the mood.  She even came out on stage with Amy and Emily to sing probably one of their biggest hits "Closer to Fine".  

We ran into some friends there, which sparked running into more friends, and then meeting some new friends.  Being up on the second floor this time allowed us to look down over the crowd and really take it all in.  Surprisingly, it wasn't as crowded as I thought it would be.

Once again, the NorVa was an excellent choice for a small venue for the Indigo Girls, and a good time was had by all...

AMW

Billy Joel Concert

I should have blogged this a while back, but for some reason I'm just getting around to it...

A few of us met up at the Billy Joel concert on Saturday, June 21st at the Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheater. We had lawn seats, and were told to tighten up the spot, even though there were 8 of us in the little piece of property we were on. We were reminded that there would be 15,000 people on the lawn. 15,000!

As for the show - BJ was the only act. He started singing right around 8:00pm, didn't have an opening act, and sang for 2 1/2 hours. No intermission. He played one instrumental (Rootbeer Rag) to rest his voice, and brought a "roadie" out to sing a song ("Highway to Hell"), but other than that, it was all him.

We all knew all of the songs he sang, and the whole place was singing along with all of them. I couldn't think of any song that I wanted to hear that he didn't play. He was phenomenal! I can say it was probably one of the best concerts that I have ever been to.

He may be a bit older now, but he is still a great artist, and one that I will see again if he rolls back into town......

AMW

Jason Mraz Concert

Saturday night, my friend Kim and I went to see Jason Mraz live at the NorVa. While I knew who he was and enjoyed what I knew of him, I wasn't prepared for the concert.

First of all, I LOVE live music. All kinds. Artists are usually much more open and flexible when you see them live, and there's just something about being in the presence of someone while they are doing what they love to do.

The NorVa is a unique venue. Different than most settings, it was originally an upscale downtown vaudeville and movie theater, built in 1923. In the '60s, part of the Norva was transformed into a retail storefront for Lerner Shops. I don't remember when that closed, but in the late 90's, early 2000, the transformation began to restore the NorVa. Now, it's a small venue that holds about 1500 people. It's general admission and two levels. The second story is not a full floor, but has a balcony around the perimeter, that overlooks the open floor below. Both floors have bars, and limited bar stools/tables. Digital cameras are allowed in *provided* they do not look like professional cameras, and look like your typical point and shoot digital. Unfortunately, Kim found this out the hard way!

As for Jason Mraz.... He was amazing. What's different about him, is his sound. He doesn't have your cookie-cutter sound, and isn't likely to be labeled as anything in particular. He is pop mixed with soulful, jazzy, eclectic, and folky. Throw in a touch of reggae, a splash of hip-hop, and a touch of the blues and you end up with an all together different sound. He is sarcastic (which I personally adore), witty, and generally a funny guy. He interacts wonderfully with his audience, and commands audience participation around every corner. While up on stage, it is apparent he TRULY loves what he does. His supporting band members do a great job, and the end result is a magnificent show. His audience is a range of young teenie-boppers, to folks well into their 40's and older. I can certainly see his appeal to all backgrounds.

I might have overlooked this concert if Kim hadn't asked me to go, and now I am certainly glad that I didn't miss it.

AMW

Virginia International Tattoo

If you have never been to a Tattoo before, it's quite an experience. And it's extremely difficult to explain to someone what it is. From one site:

One International sensation, 850 artists. Marching bands, massed pipes & drums, military drill teams, display acts, choral groups, Celtic dancers, color guards, and more. Visit Norfolk and see the largest Tattoo in the United States, presented with all the grandeur and splendor of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Pageantry and patriotism, spirit and spectacle, talent and teamwork, precision personified, you have to see it to believe it- 850 performers join forces, filling Scope Arena with music, majesty and might. Each year we feature an innovative theme, new performers from around the world, and fresh staging and special effects.

From another site:

The beat of the drums, the call of the trumpets, the roar of the crowds—the mighty sounds of the Virginia International Tattoo return to Norfolk in April! The 2008 Tattoo is sure to set hearts racing with more than 850 performers from eight countries joining forces, including the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, the Netherlands, South Africa, and Turkey. This year it was awarded the American Bus Association's Prestigious “Internationally Known Event” Designation as one of the “Top 100 Events in North America”. The Tattoo thrills with music, majesty, and might. You have to see it to believe it!

I've gone every year for about the last 6 or 7 years, and it never disappoints. There are 3 shows each year, and all 3 shows sell out. If you get the opportunity to go, DO! You won't be disappointed...

AMW