Book Review: Here We Go! Around-the-World-Family Adventure

Step into the pages of your memories and have fun with the children in your life.  

Who doesn't remember baking cookies with grandma in her apron or cuddling up in her lap while inhaling the delightful scent of her special powder to hear a story?  Who doesn't remember the special moments with grandparents that holiday traditions and smells conjure?  Who doesn't remember grandpa's special smile as he dug deep into his pocket to present you with a treasure?

The Baby Boomer Generation is coming of age, grandparent age, and realizing playing with grandchildren is fun.

Looking for adventures and ways to interact with young children has just gotten easier and more fun.  Roll together children, grandparents, some music, a drop of magic and imagination as you head into the newest family fun adventure--  all in the comfort of your home!... More

A "RAIN"-y night in Georgia...

I have a confession to make... I've never been a huge fan of the Beatles. Don't get me wrong, I don't dislike the Beatles music, in fact I enjoy it. I'm just not one who knows the words, knows any trivia or keeps (or kept) up with their "doings".

However, last night I went to see "RAIN - A Tribute to the Beatles" at the Fabulous Fox Theatre and found myself standing up with the rest of the crowd cheering, clapping and singing along. I enjoyed every single minute of their tribute to the group that changed music as we know it forever.

Every Beatles song RAIN sang evoked a memory and I realized just how much the Beatles tunes have been a part of my life, even without being a die-hard fan. The "concert" was a fun-packed trip down memory lane.

It was a fabulous concert! I heard the true Beatles fans raving about it and saw at least three generations of concert-goers "come together" in laughter, joy and musical appreciation. Everyone was on their feet, singing along at times, clapping, and yes, sometimes dancing.

I got a kick out of watching the old commercials and other snippets of history that played on the screens beside and behind RAIN. It's hard to believe how much has changed since the Beatles first stepped into the limelight.

This is one Fox show that should be on everyone's must-see list. Unfortunately, you only have a few days to slide it into your schedule.

Parents, it's one that you can bring your children to see, too. Share a part of your past and use it as a way to open a dialogue about your past and the world's history if you want to take it that far... If not, just enjoy the music.

It's fun --- RAIN - A Tribute to the Beatles does a great job of capturing the look, feel and talent of the original fab-four. For all those who weren't lucky enough to see the original Beatles in concert, this is the closest you'll ever come to getting a sense of what it was like when they moved onto the world stage back in the 60's.

RAIN will play the Fabulous Fox Theatre in Atlanta from October 6-11, 2009. Performances are Tuesday-Friday at 8 pm, Saturday at 2 pm and 8 pm and Sunday at 1:30 pm and 7 pm. Tickets are on sale NOW at all Ticketmaster outlets, at 800-982-2787 and online at www.ticketmaster.com. Ticket prices range from $20 and up. Special group rates are available through the Fox Group Sales Dept. at 404-881-2000.

You really do have "Fun at The Fred"

Two for One tickets for Peter Cetera (tonight) at www.FayetteFrontPage.com

The Fred? What's a Fred you ask? "The Fred" is short for the Frederick Brown Jr Amphitheater in Peachtree City, Georgia. It's an outdoor amphitheater with a fantastic sound system, tables, food, regular and lawn seating and a great line up of concerts every year.

This year Kenny Loggins, LeAnn Rimes, Get Back! (the cast of Beatlemania), The Beach Boys, The Spinners, The World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra, Hippiefest (4th annual), Peter Cetera and Amy Grant are and were part of the line-up.

Tonight is Peter Cetera's final night at The Fred. I went last night and was surprised. I like Chicago and I like Peter Cetera, but wasn't jumping up and down about seeing him. My mistake... it was a great, absolutely first-rate, concert.

Not only is his voice in tip-top condition, but the songs he's written are amazing. I had no idea he had touched so many in his career.

It's interesting going to concerts of some of the "oldies" (not that there's anything old about Cetera!). I love going to the concerts, but many didn't do much after their peak back in the 70's or 80's or whenever. The concerts are like a walk down memory lane. Loads of fun, but nothing new. Sometimes you can really tell that the voices have had some wear and tear, songs are changed slightly to accommodate aging voices.

None of that is true with Cetera. His voice got stronger as the night went on. He has continued to be "more than Chicago" through the years and has a prominent solo career. I had forgotten how many songs he has done!

The band and backup singers with him last night were stellar. I would buy a CD by his female singer, Kim Keyes. Phenomenal talent! Ditto Bruce Gaitsch, lead guitar. He does an outstanding song about 3/4 of the way through the concert that I'll buy if it's on a CD somewhere. Every band member is a stand-alone great talent... put them together, add Peter Cetera into the mix and WOW!

There are still tickets for tonight's concert. If you go to www.FayetteFrontPage.com you'll see two links on the front page for 2-for-1 tickets! What a bargain...

p.s. yours truly had backstage passes so I had my picture made with Cetera. Good looking guy... from all angles

Oh, What a Night!

I had a huge problem with Jersey Boys, The story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons.

Huge.

Monumental.

Rather than bore you with a long explanation I'll be brief:
It ended.
I had to leave.
The singing stopped.
The fun fizzled.

I hated to leave.

I wanted it to keep going. I wish I were in the theater watching it again right now.

I can't remember enjoying a play as much as I enjoyed Jersey Boys in years, if ever.

I found it difficult to be "proper" and sit when what I really wanted was to be in the aisle dancing. I could tell I wasn't the only one itching to stand, to dance, to sing along, to move! If just one person had been brave enough to get things moving, I know the entire theater would have been on their feet throughout the entire performance!

Sometimes it's difficult to make the leaps that some plays make jumping from one song to the next. It's as though they made up something just so they could get a song in and it just doesn't flow. Jersey Boys was seamless.

It was amazing how well the play moved and how clearly it conveyed the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons using their own music. Every little bit of the play was perfect in my estimation.

Jersey Boys, The story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons is playing at the Fabulous Fox Theatre through June 21st. If you love theater and you love music, this play is one you can't miss. Beg, cajole, borrow, give up your lunches to pay for a ticket, do whatever you have to, but make sure you see this one!

Want to learn more? http://www.jerseyboysinfo.com/ or http://www.foxtheatre.org/.
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