Monday Mashup: Hotel California and Spencers Theatre of Illusion
I don’t know if it’s because I love The Eagles, or if I still have a crush on Don Henley, but I was really looking forward to Hotel California performing here over the weekend. And boy, was I not disapointed. It was like I was actually at an Eagles concert, because the lead singers sounded just like Don and Glenn Frey. But nothing I can say will do Hotel California justice, so just watch the clip and you’ll see what I mean.
On Sunday, we had Spencers Theatre of Illusion, and they were a blast. There are magic tricks that everyone can pull off, and then there were illusions that the Spencers did, including one that Hodini did in the 1920s once, and then never did again. I don’t have any clips from their show, but that just means that you’ll have to catch ’em next time they’re in town.
At this point in my Monday Mashup, I usually give everyone a preview of what we have coming for the weekend, but this weekend is Easter, so we don’t have anything scheduled. Instead, I’d like you folks to do something for me (if you have Netflix this will be a piece of cake).
Beg, borrow, rent or bribe, but get your hands on a copy of the documentary Sierra Leone Refugee All Stars. It’s the documentary about the band that will be here on April 30. If you watch the documentary, you’ll see what this group went through, and it’ll make watching them live even better.
I bawled through the whole documentary though, just as a warning.
Weekend Preview, part 2
Life this weekend is going to be nuts, but I’d much rather be busy than bored.
First off, if anyone is going to Buzzcation tonight, you have a chance to win two tickets to Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars, so go, donate to charity and enter the raffle. And come say hi to me. I’ll be the scared stiff person in the corner trying not to be shy.
Saturday night we have Hotel California, and I’m playing The Eagles at top volume today to celebrate. I love that this group plays their songs just like The Eagles did. It isn’t just one lead singer and then a few back up guys that we can pay attention to when we aren’t staring at a Don Henley look-a-like, but a harmony that brings so much more to a performance. Can. Not. Wait.
Then on Sunday, you should come out and see Spencers Theatre of Illusion (you can read my interview with Kevin here). It’s very family friendly, so if you want to bring your little ones, you have nothing to worry about. To make it even cooler, Kevin uses magic to help people, so make sure you ask him about the Healing of Magic, and watch how excited about it he gets. You can really tell he loves everything about his job.
So come out for a sweet double header weekend, and because these are two of out last three shows for the season! Take in all that you can before we slow down (just a tad) for summer.
Monday Mashup: Street Beat, Hotel California and Spencers Theatre of Illusion
With Street Beat here this past weekend, the band nerd* in me was in heaven. The best way I can describe it for someone who missed it this weekend, was that you got two shows for one. It was Stomp meets Blue Man Group with less face paint and more dreadlocks flying around (watch the video, you’ll see what I mean). Before you watch it though, make sure your speaker volume is set at something reasonable. I don’t want comments about how watching the video made you lose your hearing for a day.
Two videos this week? Hot Dog! This one is more about the dance aspect of Street Beat, which is awesome in its own right.
Want to know something funny? Everyone who owns a car in my family has at least one Eagles CD in their glove compartment, myself included (no shame.) That’s why I’m glad I’ll be around for Hotel California this weekend. They’re a tribute band that doesn’t sound like one, and they use all band members to create their sound, just like the Eagles did. This is one of CCA’s last shows of the season, and it really is a case of saving the best for last.
Not in the mood for music, but still want to come down for something to do? We also have Spencers Theatre of Illusion making a stop here on Sunday afternoon, and this isn’t your average magic show. People from the audience take part in all aspects of the show, so make sure you check them out and maybe you can be a part of it! Although if the Spencers make you disappear, can you tell me where they send you? I’ve always been curious about that.
*I mean no disrespect, but if you could have seen me in high school, you would agree. For four years, I lived and breathed marching band. I spent every spare moment in the band room, walked in step around campus, conducted music in my truck and found the expression “tooting your horn” to be especially hilarious.
Oh who am I kidding, I still do.
Chandler Center For The Arts 