Lots of great shows in this busy time of year

It's been too long since I posted last. For those of you who attended all of the great shows that have taken place since my last posting (African Children's Choir, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, The Second City, The Lettermen, and the Carolina Chocolate Drops) and have something to share about your experience at the BCPA, please do so by clicking the comments button at the bottom of the page, or by sending me an email at jaalberts@cityblm.org.

A few thoughts from me:

I was absolutely blown away by the African Children's Choir's energy and joy for performing. These kids put in a huge day at the BCPA, with a morning performance for K-12 students as part of our Student Spotlight Series. Their evening performance also had the audience in rapt attention, as they sang a wonderful mix of traditional African songs, spirituals, and some classical and popular selections.

There's little you can add about how wonderful the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band are. After all these years, the NGDB knows who they are and, more importantly, how to bring you into their heads for a couple of hours. It was no wonder watching their magnetic performance why this band had so many imitators and admirers, including members of the Eagles and Alabama.

There were moments during The Second City's March 12 performance when I could barely see straight, I was laughing so hard. A man who travels home with a friend, remarking on their journey that "people really see me for who I am here," forgets to mention everyone in this small town sees him as "an old black woman," when in actuality he's a tall skinny white kid. It was hilarious to watch his friend Steve's expression as his buddy for all intents and purposes turned to Maya Angelou ... (and learned that these same townspeople also saw him as a woman named Sarah).

I have to admit, the thing I was looking forward to most at The Lettermen's March 20 performance was the pre-show. Tony Butola, the last remaining original member of the group, led a pre-show discussion with Tom MacEwan, the new lead vocalist of the Classics IV, who were the evening's opening band. Butola comes from a classic performance tradition dating back to the true glory days of Hollywood and Las Vegas, when triple-threat performers reigned king. His stories included doing gags with legendary talents including Buster Keaton ... a legacy that was emphasized in a video they showed of the band performing in their heyday with a variety of different artists, and on programs like the "Ed Sullivan Show." The audience went home with a song in their hearts. It was, by many accounts, one of the most thrilling performances in the new BCPA's history.

There was a big crowd and a great vibe when the Carolina Chocolate Drops performed in the BCPA Ballroom on Friday night. The band was amazing, performing with a easy confidence that perfectly fit their style and music. Soft-spoken banter added an additional layer of easiness that in no time wrapped the entire audience in a sense of relaxed enjoyment.

Looking ahead to having outdoor performances on the CEFCU Summer Stage has me hoping the Chocolate Drops will be back sometime for a show we can enjoy with the stars overhead.

Speaking of, we're all very excited about the new CEFCU Summer Stage space and our five-concert lineup for this first summer. It's a terrific lineup, and it's going to be a fun summer series.
Hope to see you all there!

Preservation Hall Jazz Band

It was an easy night of Big Easy jazz, led by the kings of the sound, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band.

A freewheeling night of the music that put the Crescent City on the musical map, the concert began with a short film detailing the history of the famed music hall, and ended up with a huge parade of musicians and audience members, dancing on the stage and around the theater.

I hope it was a happy birthday, Mayor Judy!

One early note from a patron today that said it simply and clearly "FANTASTIC show on Saturday night." (Susan Brown.)

Were you there? Give us your review of the night by leaving a note in the Comments section below, or by emailing me at jaalberts@cityblm.org.

"Buddy Holly's Winter Dance Party"

Four days after the 50th anniversary of the plane crash that claimed the lives of three of rock 'n' roll's biggest stars, "The Buddy Holly Winter Dance Party" rolled into the BCPA for a show a capacity crowd will not soon forget.

Indeed, reports there was a "day the music died" have been greatly exaggerated.

The audience was up on its feet at the end (and throughout), wrapped in the nostalgia of this tribute to one of the most pivotal moments in rock history. Great performances, great songs -- it was a night to savor.

Were you there? Tell us what you thought.

Ailey II

Modern dance took center stage at the BCPA on Friday night with Ailey II, the talented junior company of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre.

It was a spectacular concert! It was also the first modern dance performance scheduled as part of the BCPA's series of touring artists ... but certainly not the last given the tremendous response the show brought from the community.

The Ailey II dancers put in a very long day with us on Friday. At 10:00 the company danced a wonderful Spotlight Series school matinee, performing selections from two ballets for a group of K-12 students.

Troy Powell, the company's Associate Artistic Director also gave the students in attendance a little "Theatre 101," with a little tour of the lights, curtains, Marley flooring, and backdrops, explaining how all of the technical theater components make the choreography really pop.

Next up for the Ailey dancers was a trip to Illinois State University and a master class with Prof. Sara Semonis' dance studio.

The public performance was held at 7:30. Carol Baker, a BCPA Commission member, volunteer and chair of the Cultural District's Programming Committee described the night like this:

What a thrill to see the Ailey II modern dance company perform right here in B-N. Who said our local dance community is too busy doing thier own thing to take time to go see a touring company perform? Dancers (and hundreds of dance devotees) thronged to see Ailey II, and when it was all over, didn't want to let them go!

The standing ovation went on for many minutes, ending in an reprise and the company applauding their audience! When the house lights went up, it had to end. What an exciting night of dance! We're all looking forward to seeing more.

There was only one problem that night. The large, enthusiastic crowd was a blessing, but the heavy run on tickets in the last 48 hours (we sold just under 100 seats on Friday alone) created a minor problem as we ran out of playbills for the audience.

I am posting the playbill online at our Ailey II page, in case you were at the concert and didn't get a copy.

The Wailers

"Saw the Wailers last night. First of all was overjoyed that the show took place in the hall and not the theater. Could not imagine being confined to a seat while watching the Wailers perform. Must confess had not heard them other than on record with Bob Marley. The show was fantastic, and as inspirational as if the legend himself had been leading the band. the age groups represented, and ethicities were heartwarming. this 50 year old and his wife spent most of the show on the floor swaying and bouncing, clapping and singing. . . and, loving it!"

-Deborah Bacigalupo

The Wailers rocked the BCPA on Thursday night with an unforgettable performance of Marley's classic album "Exodus." Deborah's summation of the show above pretty much sums up the evening.

It was a unique experience for all in attendance, and a wonderful party that will be giving people chills for a long time to come.

I'm posting some of the photos we took on Thursday night. If you were there, we'd love to see your photos too and hear more about your night at the show.

Post comments below or send pictures and stories to me at jaalberts@cityblm.org.

the subdudes

A great night from start to finish, the subdudes left their mark on the BCPA and a throng of adoring fans who won't soon forget the night they had.

The band performed an all-acoustic set, which really emphasized their cohesiveness and musicality. For me there were two highlights:

The audience will agree that one of the most magical moments in the show was the band's unamplified performance of "The Rain," which they sang with spare instrumentation from the house left box seats.

For me, the other top moment was their first encore number, "Brightest Star." I saw the subdudes last in a summer 2007 concert and was won over by the chilling harmonies on this song (see video below), but it was even more thrilling in this acoustic performance.



Following the concert, the band (minus Tommy Malone) joined the show's event sponsor Ronda Glenn (seen above sitting with the band) and the BCPA's ArtsPartners at a reception at the FlatTop Grill.



The party was wonderful, and a great celebration of all of the members of the community who help the BCPA with additional financial support.


If you'd like to know more about this program, which offers its members with first notice of BCPA programming, priority ticket buying opportunities, parking privileges, and (as seen here) special opportunities to attend receptions and meet the artists, please follow this link.

Anyway, the word from the subdudes is that they left Bloomington on Sunday for Ft. Collins, Co., where they will begin work recording their next studio CD. We'll be looking forward to that this spring ... and hopefully having the subdudes back again sometime soon.

Do you have any pictures or memories you'd like to share from the night. If so, please share them by clicking the Comments link below, or by emailing me at jaalberts@cityblm.org.