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So we had a busy weekend around here, so I thought I’d combine it all into one giant post.  Yes, I can feel your excitement already.

On Friday night, our friend Zach invited Blake and I to see Vienna Teng and Duncan Sheik at a concert arranged by Bend Studio, and although we didn’t know either of them from a hole in the wall, we figured it would be a good time so we agreed to go.  We arrived early at the Sons of Hermann Hall since Zach is the photographer for this event, and got settled into our seats and took in the venue.  The room held around 300 people (best guess) and by the time the show started it was pretty much full.  Vienna’s set was really captivating.  Vienna plays the keyboard and sings, and a couple of women backed her up on vocals and added to the songs with a cello and violin/viola.  It was an interesting combination of instruments and I was amazed at how well it all worked together.  By the end of 2 songs I was ready to buy the CD!  Not only is the music impressive, but Vienna knows how to judge a crowd and keep them entertained.  It was probably the smallest concert I’ve been to, but I really enjoyed the more intimate environment.  It allows you to really get to know the artist and enjoy the music without people shouting into their cell phones in the seats behind you or getting up to run for beer every 10 minutes.

After a short break, Duncan Sheik and his band took to the stage to entertain a very excited group of people.  Many in the audience were devoted followers of Duncan’s music and some drove more than 2 hours to see the show.  Duncan’s performance style was very different from Vienna.  He did rock out on a few songs, but most of the music was mellow.  It isn’t really my music style of choice, but I was impressed with his vocals and his ability to switch instruments and change the feel of each song.  I agree with Zach that I would probably enjoy an acoustic set from Duncan Sheik more than this show.

All in all, we had a great time.  It was nice to get out and do something a bit different, check out a new venue, and meet some interesting people.  I would recommend checking out some of the smaller concerts Bend Studio offers each week - you are sure to catch something you will enjoy!

After all the fun on Friday night, I was ready for a lazy weekend, but no such luck.  My nephews are in town!  Well, not all of them, but two of them anyway.  Harrison and Spencer arrived from Ohio late last week to spend a week with their Grandma and Grandpa Texas.  On Sunday, we surprised them by taking them to the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus.  And it wasn’t just Blake and I taking them to the big event.  First I called my sister to see if she and her husband Kevin wanted to go.  Then I checked with my brother.  Then after all of that, my parents decided to join in the fun too.  So the 9 of us bought some very reasonably priced tickets and headed on down to the American Airlines Center.  Yes, the Bosse Circus went to the Circus.

On the way there, it got a bit cloudy.  Then just after we parked, it started raining.  Then it started raining a lot.  Blake and I ran ahead to pick up the tickets at Will Call and met our family in line.  It continued to pour.  The doors finally opened letting the soaking wet circus-goers into the Center - where it was a toasty 65 degrees (note the sarcasm).  Here is where I was most impressed with this Circus.  An hour before the show starts, they have an “all-access” session where you can take your kids down to the floor of the show and let them get up close to the clowns, elephants, acrobats, and all the other fun stuff.  They get the kids to participate and really get them excited for the show.  I was even pulled into a human pyramid that the acrobats bounced and flipped over using a trampoline - it was great!

After they wrapped up the pre-show fun, we headed to our seats to see the show.  I must say, it was a really great time.  Possibly even more entertaining then some of the professional musicals I have been to see recently.  My brother (who is 28 but basically a giant kid) laughed so hard at the clowns, we could have just brought him for our entertainment!  They had a few acts I’d never seen before (even on TV) and really tried to get the audience into the show.  There were tight rope walkers, tigers, elephants, horses, trapeze artists (although they have some fancy new name now), and of course the clowns.  The headlining clown of this show (Bello I think) was hilarious.  And he didn’t just do funny jokes and silly stunts to entertain the crowd - this clown can really do those death defying acts that the acrobats do!  We were amazed by his abilities and just really impressed with the show overall.  The tickets were $12 plus a service charge, and they were the best seats I’ve ever had at the AAC.  So next time the circus is in town, be sure you go out and see it.  It truly is a show for “kids of all ages”.

So that was my fun filled weekend.  We did some other things too, but those are the highlights.  Thanks for reading the longest blog I have ever written!

Pics of the Circus

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 8th, 2006 at 3:48 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.