The One with Beauty and the Beast

 

 

Well, this weekend, it happened. For the first time since Covid-19 shut down Kennedy's doors one week before Tech Week. The triumphant return of the KMS musical - opening for the first time at the new Kennedy Middle School.

And it did not disappoint!!! What an amazing show the Kennedy students put on as they performed Beauty and the Beast in front of a live audience (the first time a show has been performed in front of a live audience there).

It truly was amazing. The cast was spectacular. Because we have a full time technical director, the stage crew actually numbered 20 students (a record!). And the blend of lights (with the light room), sounds, with a whole sound board section, and crew (with plenty of space on both sides), was amazing.

I returned for another year behind the scenes and enjoyed every moment of it. It also enjoyed the fact that 5th graders got to be in the show for the first time since The Wizard of Oz in 2002. It was wild and crazy...but amazing!

What a 24th show. What amazing memories. And what a stage (as you can see from the picture above).

The One With Auntie Nancy's Wake

 

This year has definitely been a devastating one for our family. We had another loss with the passing of Auntie Nancy a week ago. 

She was an amazing lady and she and Uncle Jim had a bond that few couples ever have. I so remember her for many events and from the jaunts they had with my parents. In fact, as I type this,  sit just in the kitchen of my parents house, just feet away from the couch they would always sit in here.

It was nice to see so many cousins together in the same room at the same time - Michael, Elizabeth, Peter, Karen, Mark, Jim Jr, Susan, Lori, and Steven (and me).  It seems like years that this has happened, with all of the families represented. It brought back such warm memories of times gone by and shows just how indelible the bond is.

Rest in peace Auntie Nancy. We love you.

The One Where Bri is in the St. Patrick's Day Parade

 

 

As I type this Emmie, Kiff, and I have been watching the St. Patrick's Day parade in South Boston. This is the first time Boston has hosted it in two years because of the Covid Pandemic. As a result of that fact and the fact that we didn't know the area that well, we decided to watch the. Danvers High School Marching Band from home (which was probably a good idea, because it was PACKED).

 

Needless to say, it has been an awesome parade to watch. Not only is it one of the biggest events to return to Boston in two years - what a way to usher in a new era and to welcome the first day of spring - it was the first time we got to see the group on regional TV.

 

It did not disappoint. We were able to see the marching band probably better than we would in person, and it was QUITE an experience. Bri was on TV several times, performing in the color guard with her lime green shirt and rainbow flag. WOW. That was fantastic!

 

We did notice that the spot where A street meets Broadway seems to be a great place to see it. That is where NECN has their announcing booth and it seems like an idea spot to catch the parade in the future.

 

Bravo Bri!!! Right now it is time to return to the parade as the American Legion walks through the parade.

The One With The First Annual Jazz Night

 

Danvers Public Schools hosted their first ever annual jazz night last night...almost two years after it was originally planned before Covid-19 shut everything down (ironically, two years to the day yesterday).

 

 What a great night!!! There were a whole host of performers last night from the 7th grade jazz band and 8th grade jazz band, to the DHS Sax quintet and DHS jazz band. Also, the Pharos Sax Quartet joined as guests artists.

 

There was an eclectic catalog of music performed last night. Kiff's band started it off - becoming the first band ever to perform at the DPS Jazz Night. There song final drive started the night on a solid tone. It kept on rolling from there. Songs like "In the Mood," "Take Five," "Cantina Band," beloved jazz standards, rocked the night. The Pharos Quartet played a special song just for parents and grandparents to sing along to - "Mah Na Mah Na" - from the Muppets.

 

Perhaps the most amazing sight was when all the jazz bands, including the guests bands, got up on stage to perform Night Train together. It was amazing to see what all of the eight trumpets from the jazz band (including Kiff) sounded like when they all played together. That was quite a way to wrap up the day!!!

 

It was quite a night...and a fun way to celebrate Tony's birthday (he came with us). I know my Dad, Mom 2, and Dad 2 would have loved it. 

 

Though the concert only last 90 minutes, the memories will linger on forever. Kudos to all of the bands.

The One Where We See Lots of Birds

 

The birdseed we have been getting at Bird's Unlimited rocks. This past month, we have seen the following birds at the feeder:

 

• junco

• cardinals

• sparrows

• house wrens

• purple finches

• yellow finches

• downy woodpeckers

• yellow bellied sapsucker

• black capped chickadees

• tufted titmouses

• nuthatches

• pigeons

The One With the New Batman

 

Today, we went to the Methuen AMC (our local theater was too crowded) to see the latest installment of the Batman movie series starring Robert Pattinson.

I was not too sure what to expect. I have not seen too many of the more recent Batmans since the run of actors playing them continued to change. I did see Christian Bale in a portion of one and Ben Affleck in League of Justice. They both did okay, but I was not too sure what to expect.

However, I have to admit that I was more than impressed with the movie. In fact, it might be one of my top three favorites in the series (the other two being the first two Michael Keaton ones). Now, I must admit that Bri and I were late to the movie (Emmie and Kiff were already there). Bri was a little under the weather, but she was able to overcome it and we were able to get to the movie in time for the second half of it.

Normally, I might be confused, but the plot was clear and fluid and I was able to infer what had happened prior to it (with gaps I am sure). The acting was solid, the story line engaging, and the characters were appealing. There was the birth of so many interesting characters here, including Catwoman (played by Lenny Kravitz and Lisa Bonet's daughter - and Aquaman's stepdaughter), Penguin, the Riddler, and - at the end - the Joker.

It definitely had a dark undertone, but none of the harsh DC Batman darkness that has prevailed most of the movies. This movie was great....and I am so glad we went.