The Capitol Steps

Just 38 days before the 2008 presidential election, the Capitol Steps made a triumphant return to the BCPA with their distinctive brand of political humor. Their Sept. 27 show skewering the left, right, and center, and included a little bit of everything.

The election provided ample material for sketches about McCain's age and the press's adoration of Obama. There was also a Shakespearean dig at the Clintons and a duet by Palin and Cheney. Al Gore sang about the environment, the government bailout of Wall Street actually seemed funny, and Bush's trip to Beijing for the Olympics even had the actors in stitches.

But perhaps the crowd's favorite moment was a monologue done in the Steps' trademark speech pattern they call Lirty Dies.

Tell us what you thought. Click the link below and share your thoughts.

Oh, yes. And don't forget vote. An application for Illinois residents can be found here.

Don't you want to have a say about who the Capitol Steps poke fun of the next time they're in town?

BCPA Underground: Ruthie Foster

The BCPA Underground kicked off with a spectacular concert by Ruthie Foster last Thursday night.

This was the first concert in this new series, which is being held in a club-style setting within the BCPA's 11,000 square foot ballroom. The goal being to present some of today's most buzzworthy musicians in space where you can sit back and relax with a drink, or get up and dance.

Tricia Stiller, who contributes concert reviews to the Pantagraph, summed the evening up best in this write up she has also submitted to the paper:

Last night the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts launched it's newest entertainment offering, BCPA Underground with a captivating performance by the 'phenomenal' Ruthie Foster. Guitar in hand, the tiny Foster took to the stage in the modestly transformed ballroom, accompanied by Samantha Banks, on drums, and Tonya Richardson on the 5 string bass.

Foster's guitar work was inspired, fingers flying across the fret board with an indescribable ease, which,when accompanied by her deeply soulful vocals, exuded great warmth - like an old friend.

Between numbers, a very personable Foster shared stories of her varied influences, and of her home life, and only once or twice asked guests to take her home with them - she had CD's for sale. Foster embodied what the BCPA Underground is all about. The casual ambiance, created with lighting and family-style seating, encouraged this experience be shared and enjoyed and remembered. The 150 lucky folks who attended last night have earned boasting rights at the water cooler today. Like any moment in history, we can all say ' hey...I was there, man!'
But it was Foster herself, quite coincidentally, who summed it all up with her second number of the evening, when she sang, 'I do believe my soul's found a happy home.'

Indeed, Foster was great! And I already talked to her tour manager about our interest in bringing her back in a couple of years. Everyone who was there would undoubtedly go again ... and bring a friend!

Were you there? Submit your comments below. We'd love to hear about your experience.

Craig Morgan

It's been a crazy week, so my apologies for not getting to Craig Morgan sooner. My tardiness, however, doesn't diminish the terrific concert he gave at the BCPA last Saturday.

It was an event from the moment you arrived. IH tractors outside, the remnants of Hurricane Ike swirling around the area, and a high-energy, fun-filled show inside.

For me, it was this atmosphere that was the highlight of the evening. There's nothing I love more than seeing people laughing, smiling, taking pictures, and having fun, caught up in the moment and enjoying a really great concert.

Jason Jones kicked things off with a great set. Jones has a clear, strong voice, and the stripped-down two-guitar accompaniment really highlighted his catchy melodies.

And then came Craig. Of course he played his hits, but the song I heard the most about was the tune he'd written on the bus ride to Bloomington from their previous night's gig in Missouri. He promised it would be on his next album, and I know everyone will be dying to have a copy of this song they heard first.

On a personal note, I brought my three-year-old son to the show. He's at an age that he loves cars, trucks, tractors, and anything big and mechanical. Here we are on the big IH tractor that was outside before the show. My grandpa drove an IH on his farm when I was a boy. It was awesome to share that experience and tradition with my son.

He also loved the music ...

What did you think? Leave your posts by clicking the link below.

The Fab Four

Our Box Office staff shared this message with me today:

"Mr. Gary Thompson called to let us know that he and his wife thoroughly enjoyed The Fab Four. He said it was the best show they had ever seen!! They are looking forward to future shows this season, but he has no idea how we can top that one!"

Bloomington resident and Cultural District volunteer Carol Baker also wrote: "What a fabulous time everyone had at the Fab Four!"

And did they ever! From Ed Sullivan's monologue to the first notes of "She Loves You"; From "Yesterday" to "Imagine," the Fab Four delivered a note-perfect Beatles' experience that had people standing in their seats, waving their hands over their heads, and jumping back in time to welcome in the British Invasion with the best band of all time.

The pre-show speaker, W. Michael Weiss, a professor of history at Illinois Wesleyan, put it best when he said the music of the Beatles knew no generational bounds. Kids today are as familiar with Beatles music as their parents (and now grandparents), in a way we had never seen in previous generations.

The audience comments I've heard since support the timelessness of this music. There was the Beatles fan who felt like they were transported back to their youth, to that moment when they first saw the band perform on Ed Sullivan. There were also the Gen X'ers and Millennials in the audience who enjoyed the show as an opportunity to experience a live performance of this music as the Beatles would have performed it.

Indeed, everyone seemed to have a great time. Were you there? What did you think? Would you like to see the Fab Four back at the BCPA in seasons to come? Email me at jaalberts@artsblooming.org and I'll post your comments here.