Web Robin

I Interview One of Music's Rising Stars

One of the cool things about working at one of the fastest-moving but furthest-reaching companies in the world is getting to know incredible people from around the globe. One of the interesting stories that's come out of Google+ is a musician who came from obscurity, but started holding live concerts through our Hangouts. Daria Musk has incredible energy. I invited her to Mountain View and interviewed her, before she sang a few songs in a private concert.

The full experience is now live on YouTube. I talk with her for about 10-15 minutes and then you get to hear her jam. You'll hear her name again.

Breathtaking Korea's Got Talent

If you love hard luck stories or are in any way sentimental, you must see this, from Korea's version of American Idol and Britain's Got Talent. It's reminiscent of the Susan Boyle surprise, but better...

The Twins Mix Tumbling With Techno

The twins crack me up. They just started gymnastics classes, so we get to see them practicing somersaults and headstands all over the house, no matter the surface. Today, I put on some techno from Underworld. At first they started dancing, but then it was somersault central. You can see they enjoy it.

So You Think You Can Dance at Arco

Other than the fact that sitting just a few rows back on the center floor of Arco Arena means a short person can't really see the stage very well, Thursday night's performance was really fun. (Next year I'll get us seats on the side.)

Like American Idol, SYTYCD takes their top ten contestant/performers on a national tour after the winner is chosen at the end of the TV show's season. Molly and I went last year and had so much fun, we knew we had to go this year too.

The show is a little bit like a summer camp skit, a family reunion, and a Broadway performance combined. Unlike Broadway, though, you feel like you KNOW all the performers and are really happy to see them do their best. The skit part was a little like vaudeville, corny and hilarious. The dancers performed all the best dances that we saw last summer on TV. The difference between TV and live is that they interacted more with the crowd. So during the "dance-off" numbers -- the Russian dance between Joshua and Twitch, & the "beat" number that Comfort and Twitch had done on C's return night -- the dancers moved to the edge of the stage to encourage the audience to clap for them. Also, just before Mark and Chelsea did the "Bleeding Heart" dance -- the one with the suitcase -- Courtney asked the women in the audience, "Don't you think the guy in this dance acted like a jerk?" Of course, everyone shouted "Yes!"

It was really fun to have the announcers hint at what the next dance would be and feel the crowd go wild with anticipation. It was great to be in a sold-out crowd for a wholesome, positive, uplifting performance too. Great entertainment!  And, in case anyone missed the significance of the "Keep it Real" sign, Twitch explained it at the beginning of the show. Basically, the 4 fingers stand for the 4th season of the show, and the slogan means "Work hard to make your dreams come real." He encouraged everyone in the audience to do the same, whatever their dreams were.

We talk about TV a lot on this blog. I was thinking that evening that there aren't many TV shows that cross from the small screen to the live stage. But this is one that is a real success at doing just that!

Check this Russian singer out-- (it's real)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjO_VXHxsRw&feature=related
This song is amazing. The guy is really weird.

-Andy
p.s. I'm not exactly sure what he is saying...
p.p.s. how can I be able to post something under my own name?

I've been percussed

While Molly and Nana were out salsa dancing, Rick and i were at Cache Creek Casino to hear a Creedence Clearwater Revisited concert.

Right. Not my type of music. Rick's either, but Steve Gunner, a high school buddy of his who plays the keyboard, acoustic guitar, percussion, etc., had invited us to be his guests.

New Music to My Ears

A friend at work gave me a CD of music he has been enjoying, and I have listened to it over and over. At first, I was wondered what this music was and wasn't sure I liked it, but the more I heard it, the more it grew on me. The music is hauntingly beautiful and the harmonies are wonderful, complex, and rich.

It's a collection of vocal music, mostly originating from Eastern Europe, but performed by a group of 9 women out of Oakland -- Kitka. The music I've heard is from their Wintersongs CD. You can listen to a few sample songs on the site.

They will be performing in Fremont March 1 at 8 pm. Tickets are $25. Rick and I plan to go with the friend who gave me the CD. Anyone want to join us?

(What I really want to do is sing with them! It's much more fun for me to experience music by producing it rather than just listening to it.)

It's that time of year!

Seattle's  FM Warm 106.9 already has their round the clock holiday music on!! (Honestly, I'm estatic).

Anyhow, I'm ready for the holidays (some holiday shopping is already done!) I'm debating tree this weekend or next weekend. I found an essential oil for a diffuser that is called "perfect Christmas Tree" to the house smells all Christmasy (thank you Bath and Body Works!)

I'm decking the iPod with holiday tunes.... and seeking everyone's list of must-haves for their playlists... I'd hate to miss a treasure and remember it in mid June...

Here's a few of my favorites.

1. The entire soundtrack from the movie "Elf" especially "Christmas in Christmas Island" and "Baby its Cold Outside" (really anything by Leon Redbone)

2. Mary did you know? by Kathy Mattea

3. Grandma got run over by a Reindeer (sorry, but it just gives me those warm fuzzy feelings of Sarah and I belting it in the back of the Plymouth while mom shouts (through tears or giggles I was never sure) not to sing that in front of grandma becuase it's rude. (Was nothing personal against Grandma--was so much fun to get mom all riled though).

4. Stop the Cavalry by Jona Lewie--there was a better artist that I've heard onthe radio, but I don't know it... I want to say it was a fundraiser done by the RCMP but I don't know for sure. (nothing like those deep lyrics... "dub a dub a dub a dub a dub" but it always helps me remember the soldiers who can't be home for Christmas.

5. White Christmas (the original from the movie).

6. Christmas in Saraevo by Trans Siberian Orchestra

7. Christmas Wrapping by The Waitresses

8. Feliz Navidad by Jose Feleciano

9 Christmas Time is Here (From Peanuts)

10. Santa Baby by Ertha Kitt (the original one!)

What's your top ten?

Is this true, Michele?

Though not certain about the truthfulness of the following statement, and though I am neither a Diamond Rio nor western music fan, I still find the song and accompanying video worth at least one viewing:

In March, 2005, this song was performed at a Diamond Rio concert.  They received an immediate standing ovation, and continue to do so every time they perform it! Sadly, major radio stations wouldn't play it because it was considered politically incorrect. Consequently, the song was never released to the public. If this song speaks to your heart, share it with friends and loved ones. Then let us cease being the silent majority and join together -- not as a particular political party, but as Americans! Click here -----------> Diamond Rio Song

Hope you enjoy it.

Recommend Some Tunes

What are your "Top Ten" Tunes?  (top 3 or 5 are okay, too)

I'd like to expand my collection of listen-to-while-out-exercising music and would love some recommendations.

(Please put a * by songs that are fast-paced.) Thanks!

It will be interesting to see whether our family has narrow or wide-ranging musical preferences.