This was the one I'd been looking forward to all summer. Tonight Natalie Merchant brought back memories with "Carnival," "Wonder" and "Kind and Generous." She also did an amazing thing--she brought people to their feet--dancing even--to poetry. Her latest album, Leave Your Sleep, features 2 discs of children's poetry put to her original musical compositions. She plays just about every genre of music, from Chinese-inspired to Cajun to nautical tunes. She did not, however, satisfy the 10,000 Maniacs fans in the crowd who were shouting for the numbers she sang with her former group.
The most interesting part of the concert may have been Natalie herself. She appears to be easily distracted, or unaccustomed to being able to see her audience as clearly as she could tonight at Meijer Gardens. She would lose track of her lyrics as she watched people talking on cell phones, which obviously irritated her. She was already a little out of her element because it was too bright for some of the projections of her show, and she was waiting for the sun to go down. Which it did eventually, but it meant changing up the order of her show. She was very interactive, launching into impromptu tunes such as "Dust in the Wind." She even sang the second verse after someone Googled the lyrics on his iPhone for her.
Mellow, beautiful and filled with great music, it was another lovely night at Meijer Gardens. And I think Natalie Merchant's voice could make the Oscar Meyer song sound fabulous. Even if people are walking around talking on phones or standing in line for popcorn just around the corner.
Also went to see "Inception" this weekend with our movie group. What a mindbender! Which shouldn't be a surprise, given that it was directed by Christopher Nolan, the same mind behind one of our personal favorites, "Memento." I don't think I can even describe the plot, but it was great to see with a group--plenty to wonder about. Though I haven't been that tense during a movie, or exhausted after, in a long time.
Get out there and enjoy some summer fun before everything starts over again!
Showing posts with label Meijer Gardens. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Meijer Gardens. Show all posts
Monday, July 26, 2010
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Music and A Movie--A Good Weekend!
This has been an unusual weekend for us. Last night we went to a concert, and tonight a movie. Can you tell that two of our kids are at summer camp? And the youngest one is thrilled to have "real babysitters," so we're making the most of it.
Friday night we went to see Umphrey's McGee at Meijer Gardens. This band is considered improg, or progressive improvisational rock. That means, as far as I can see, that within the structure of the song, the musician that is currently spotlighted is free to play whatever comes to them. We heard a lot of different influences in their music--Yes, Supertramp, the Who, a bit of world beat. I'm very lyrically-oriented when I listen to music (should that surprise anyone?), so the fact that they are not as strong vocally as instrumentally takes a few points from the grading scale. However, they really play well and it was a beautiful night, so all is good. Also, I think this may be the first time I saw a light show at Meijer Gardens.
We were, however, old fogies in the crowd. For once we got there in time to get seats closer to the stage, which turned out to be a problem for us. Umphrey's has a devoted following, and they were out in force. Mostly in their 20s or early 30s, well pierced and tattooed, wearing either homemade superhero costumes or flower-child meets Hollister outfits. All of the rows directly ahead of us stood up to become a mass of movement and skin. From our comfortable beach chairs, we were staring directly at a derriere covered by nothing but a very thin gauzy skirt. That might have worked for Brian, but quite a few were ignoring the no-smoking policy, which drives him bonkers.
Eventually we packed up our things and moved to a spot in the grass on the side, and from there we could people-watch to our hearts' content and see the stage at the same time. Obviously none of these kids had spent the day unpacking one kid from camp, getting her to a birthday party, then packing and shipping off the other two to camp. I think I might have had that much energy at some point in my life, but at this time, sitting in the beach chairs is much more appealing.
So that was Friday.
Tonight we met a portion of our movie group to see the movie "Please Give." This is the sort of odd, funny movie I like. It's not for everyone--too much talking, not enough plot, too much language for others. The movie starts in a jarring way, showing a series of breasts being placed on slides for mammograms in a decidedly unsexy way.
The story centers on a family going through midlife--a too-familiar marriage, a difficult 15 year old. They have a neighbor who is dying, and her granddaughter is caring for her. All of their lives become intertwined, including an extramarital affair.
There are a lot of themes twisted through the story, some of which are: how women see themselves, what makes someone attractive, our need to give and receive and what motivates charity. Always excellent, actress Catherine Keener plays the wife and mother of the family, who lives in a fog of guilt and sees only the sadness in the world. Her husband seems happily immune to guilt, until he makes his own mistakes. The daughter hates the way she looks and needs understanding and acceptance.
The caretaker granddaughter and her sister are a study in opposites--plain vs. beautiful, duty-bound vs. cold-hearted. The grandmother is as cold as her less caring granddaughter. There is a lovely scene where the kind, duty-bound granddaughter chooses to see the beauty in the world rather than to dwell on the sadness.
If you like your movie in blockbuster form, this one won't be for you. If you like smaller, quiet movies with interesting characters (and aren't offended by the bad language or other mature situations), you might give it a try.
Friday night we went to see Umphrey's McGee at Meijer Gardens. This band is considered improg, or progressive improvisational rock. That means, as far as I can see, that within the structure of the song, the musician that is currently spotlighted is free to play whatever comes to them. We heard a lot of different influences in their music--Yes, Supertramp, the Who, a bit of world beat. I'm very lyrically-oriented when I listen to music (should that surprise anyone?), so the fact that they are not as strong vocally as instrumentally takes a few points from the grading scale. However, they really play well and it was a beautiful night, so all is good. Also, I think this may be the first time I saw a light show at Meijer Gardens.
We were, however, old fogies in the crowd. For once we got there in time to get seats closer to the stage, which turned out to be a problem for us. Umphrey's has a devoted following, and they were out in force. Mostly in their 20s or early 30s, well pierced and tattooed, wearing either homemade superhero costumes or flower-child meets Hollister outfits. All of the rows directly ahead of us stood up to become a mass of movement and skin. From our comfortable beach chairs, we were staring directly at a derriere covered by nothing but a very thin gauzy skirt. That might have worked for Brian, but quite a few were ignoring the no-smoking policy, which drives him bonkers.
Eventually we packed up our things and moved to a spot in the grass on the side, and from there we could people-watch to our hearts' content and see the stage at the same time. Obviously none of these kids had spent the day unpacking one kid from camp, getting her to a birthday party, then packing and shipping off the other two to camp. I think I might have had that much energy at some point in my life, but at this time, sitting in the beach chairs is much more appealing.
So that was Friday.
Tonight we met a portion of our movie group to see the movie "Please Give." This is the sort of odd, funny movie I like. It's not for everyone--too much talking, not enough plot, too much language for others. The movie starts in a jarring way, showing a series of breasts being placed on slides for mammograms in a decidedly unsexy way.
The story centers on a family going through midlife--a too-familiar marriage, a difficult 15 year old. They have a neighbor who is dying, and her granddaughter is caring for her. All of their lives become intertwined, including an extramarital affair.
There are a lot of themes twisted through the story, some of which are: how women see themselves, what makes someone attractive, our need to give and receive and what motivates charity. Always excellent, actress Catherine Keener plays the wife and mother of the family, who lives in a fog of guilt and sees only the sadness in the world. Her husband seems happily immune to guilt, until he makes his own mistakes. The daughter hates the way she looks and needs understanding and acceptance.
The caretaker granddaughter and her sister are a study in opposites--plain vs. beautiful, duty-bound vs. cold-hearted. The grandmother is as cold as her less caring granddaughter. There is a lovely scene where the kind, duty-bound granddaughter chooses to see the beauty in the world rather than to dwell on the sadness.
If you like your movie in blockbuster form, this one won't be for you. If you like smaller, quiet movies with interesting characters (and aren't offended by the bad language or other mature situations), you might give it a try.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
A Major Award!
Folks, all of the hours I spend reading rather than, well, accomplishing things have finally paid off. I got a phone call today from the East Grand Rapids Library informing me that I won the drawing for the grand prize in the Let It Snow reading club. I've never won a drawing before, so I'm pretty excited. What is that prize? I don't know yet--I haven't gotten there yet to claim it. I'll have to keep you in suspense. I vaguely remember seeing something about a gift card to Schuler Books, so here's hoping. Just goes to show, reading is the way to real wealth.
I finished Michael Perry's book Population: 485 (finally) after Francene so nicely found it for me at Festival. It even made its way back to the library without a fine, shockingly! It's a great book: interesting, funny and full of compassion and respect for humanity. Next up--I'm halfway through The Heart is A Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers. My copy is from a used book store, and its former owner signed her name and then wrote "okay." I'm wondering if that's her evaluation of the book. It's a big change from Perry's book, but so far, so good. I have to lead this one for church book club next month, so if you have any great insights for me, let me know.
My friend Sandy has this suggestion (stolen directly from her Facebook post without permission): "Want a great read? Pick up "Lay That Trumpet In Our Hands" by Susan Carol McCarthy. It was published in 2002, but has completely eluded me until now. Reminiscent of To Kill a Mockingbird." Hope to give that one a try!
The apple blossoms are in full bloom and the sun just keeps shining. Perfect setup for Saturday morning, when I join the line of hopeful souls buying tickets for Meijer Gardens Summer Concert Series. This is usually the highlight of the summer for Brian and me (going to the concerts, not standing in line). This year I'm particularly excited to go see Natalie Merchant. We rarely go to concerts anywhere else, but we can be found at Meijer Gardens pretty regularly. We've decided to pay them for tickets rather than buying a summer home. It makes the tickets seem just a bit cheaper. And the August Tuesdays are free! Maybe we'll see you there.
I finished Michael Perry's book Population: 485 (finally) after Francene so nicely found it for me at Festival. It even made its way back to the library without a fine, shockingly! It's a great book: interesting, funny and full of compassion and respect for humanity. Next up--I'm halfway through The Heart is A Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers. My copy is from a used book store, and its former owner signed her name and then wrote "okay." I'm wondering if that's her evaluation of the book. It's a big change from Perry's book, but so far, so good. I have to lead this one for church book club next month, so if you have any great insights for me, let me know.
My friend Sandy has this suggestion (stolen directly from her Facebook post without permission): "Want a great read? Pick up "Lay That Trumpet In Our Hands" by Susan Carol McCarthy. It was published in 2002, but has completely eluded me until now. Reminiscent of To Kill a Mockingbird." Hope to give that one a try!
The apple blossoms are in full bloom and the sun just keeps shining. Perfect setup for Saturday morning, when I join the line of hopeful souls buying tickets for Meijer Gardens Summer Concert Series. This is usually the highlight of the summer for Brian and me (going to the concerts, not standing in line). This year I'm particularly excited to go see Natalie Merchant. We rarely go to concerts anywhere else, but we can be found at Meijer Gardens pretty regularly. We've decided to pay them for tickets rather than buying a summer home. It makes the tickets seem just a bit cheaper. And the August Tuesdays are free! Maybe we'll see you there.
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