chuckography

First time to TD Arena...and the new Gaillard.

So, look's like I'm all set for 2014 (or is it December of 2015?)

The new Gaillard will have less seats but better acoustics.

Fewer people will hear things better in the new place.

In the old one, I have chosen to be seated in the balcony, but also plopped down in the first row for the k.d.lang show last year.

Closer is better.

The Cistern Area for Spoleto events is another place where I usually buy a seat in the first row.

Yesterday, the weatherman convinced Spoleto to move the J.D. McPherson Show from there.

Some fears of electric guitars being played  outdoors in a thunderstorm.

As I thought would happen,  all the stage setup was moved to the TD Arena. Naturally the sun shone brightly.

J.D.said they were pleased with the change and reminded us they play there again tonight (Saturday).

It was my first visit to the C of C basketball court but it felt just like a Cistern Show...with the bonus of  air conditioning. Yeah!

It was an evening of great music with a passionate delivery.

The former school teacher from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, has a Punk resume. Mr. McPheron has found his Retro Sound musical calling.

He and the band mixed together elements of Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry,  Led Zepplin and, yes, some punk roots from "The Pixies."

It was a rollicking time and, just past the halfway point, the gyrating dancers swiftly moved in front of the stage and the party was going on.

Chicago record producer - and superb bassist - Jimmy Sutton laid down a steady bass line to bring back the 1950s sound. Sax man Douglas Corcoran also came across the stage to play organ.

When the music is THAT strong, what heartless  (or brave?)  volunteer usher is going to stand in the way of all those dancing Happy Feet?

The crowd was a mixture of young and old, hipsters and their granddads, locals and visitors.

I talked with city natives as well as Spoleto fans who came from out-of-state.

One couple had come year after year, took a four year break and now drive in again for the arts festival.

They explained to a couple from New York the differences between Spoleto and Piccolo.

I could not have done better and I grew up here.

Spoleto began 36 years ago and Piccolo just turned 25 this year.

If you plan to go there tonight, the officials have honored those who bought reserved seats.

You can choose any seat on the basketball court floor itself - first come, first served -  and the others are in seats rising behind you and on two sides.

I have no idea where the dancers had been sitting but they slowly appeared, dancing off to the sides, until they surged to the middle.

Hard to resist the energetic thumping beat that was being laid down.

Little details caught my eye.

Raynier Jacildo played a "real" piano - an upright - and NOT the usual electronic keyboard. The organ also was a heavy monster that had been lugged onstage with wheels strapped to it.

Sorry keys players...you can't compete.

The beautiful arena lobby was well maintained. The floors shiny bright and all the windows sparkling clean.

Labels: Broken Arrow OK, Cistern Yard, Cougars, Douglas Corcoran, J.D. McPheron, Jason Smay, Jimmy Sutton, New Gaillard Auditorium, Raynier Jacildo

posted by chuckography @ 5:35 PM 2 Comments

2013 Spoleto potpourri....

Back to the golden days of radio.

Voices and Foley sound effects.

A piano and small organ provides ALL the music. A pin-pricked balloon gives a "pop" when needed.

The earth is doomed. In fact, the whole galaxy will disappear.

Good Grief!

Sitting in the sold out Sottile Theater  along with 600 captivated friends, we watched the live-action graphic novel develop with cartoons on the screen, clever sound effects and talented voices.

David Higgins is the voice of Timmy, Danu Uribe is the Pulitzer Prize winning authoress and Christopher Lee Gibson speaks as everybody else. Cami Alys is the Foley artists responsible for the correct sounds at the appropriate time.

Jason Neulander of Austin, Texas, is the writer/Director who created The Intergalactic Nemesis.

He welcomed the audience and expressed his happiness at being in Charleston and part of the famed Spoleto Festival USA.

General Director Nigel Redden had called him with an invitation which he gladly accepted.

During the intermission of Part 1 last night, Nigel could be seen mingling, chatting with fans and friends as the crowd returned to their seats.

The fate of earth still hung in the balance at this point.

A few days ago, a Spoleto-Piccolo music event brought me to Hall's Chophouse on King Street for an afternoon of Jazz.

Lead singer Lyndsey Goodman Moynihan  was joined by Jamie Harris on bass and "Uncle Joe" Wilson on guitar.

The banter between songs was humorous and showed the depth of their friendship.

And their love of music.

Leaving Hall's, I walked through Marion Square and saw a small crowd gathered to enjoy an impromptu bluegrass performance.

Spoleto does indeed bring together friends of the arts.

Did not interrupt the players to get their names but paused for a moment or two to listen and take a few pictures.

Hope they'll get in touch so I can credit them.

I'm scheduled tomorrow evening for a concert on the Cistern Yard area at the College of Charleston.

Andrea, first tropical storm of the 6-month storm season that just started, is also due to skim our coastline tomorrow.

My guess is the venue - to avoid a rain out - will switch to the TD Arena  This would be good as I have not been inside there yet.

Oh, TD stands for Toronto Dominion Bank, the new name after a local financial group was bought that had its name on the 5.100 seat venue. It opened in 2008 as home of the Cougars.

(Click on the photos for more details.)

The fire truck was heading elsewhere.

The TD Arena is fine!

Labels: Cistern Yard, Cougars, Foley sound effects, Hall's Chop House, Intergalactic Nemesis, Jamie Harris, Joe Wilson, Lyndsey Goodman Moynihan, Marion Square, Nigel Redden, TD Arena, Toronto Dominion Bank

posted by chuckography @ 1:40 PM 0 Comments