Dreamgirls

Treated myself to a Sunday matinee musical at Bass Hall.  The Jubilee Theater presented Dreamgirls, and it was fabulous. 

 I had great seats in the orchestra parterre level. 

Dreamgirls was a hit on Broadway and in the movies (starred Jennifer Hudson, Jamie Foxx, etc).  It's a tale of music dreams, girl groups, greedy managers, friendship, love, lust, and power. Good songs, dancing,  and amazing voices made this a wonderful  afternoon. 

The signature song, "I'm Not Going, "  sung by Effie (Contessah Irene Davis) is a show-stopper. The woman can SING and this one hit deep in the soul. 

I was glad that Bass Hall was filled to the brim. Folks could witness the talented Jubilee ensemble in a larger lovely setting. The final curtain drew everyone to  their feet.  Fabulous afternoon. 

The Sixth Man by David Baldacci

 You can always count on David Baldacci to keep the pages turning. Sure enough, The Sixth Man, does not disappoint. 

cover blurb - Sean King and Michelle Maxwell return in their most shocking case: a high stakes struggle where the relentless needs of national security run up against the absolute limits of the human mind. 

Edgar Roy is held as a serial killer in a Federal Supermax facility. His mind  is  no match for machines - perfect memory and  the ability to pull all data into his brain and process it for solutions. He's the answer to high stakes security issues. But is there a higher force at work to derail him?  What about his mysterious sister who did work for deep pockets of government surveillance?  

Hang in for a crazy ride as Sean and Michelle dig deeper to solve and  save the government. Whoa!

and on the topic in the news with Texas libraries all in a tizzy...I like this meme.  Freedom to read. 

Now I do  think it's up to parents to monitor their OWN kids and know what they are choosing  and reading. Age appropriate is a consideration.  Frankly the choices could give a lot  of insight into their child and what that  child is seeking. However,  do not blindly start banning books you have not  read, but have a predisposed idea on the subject matter. 

Big sigh on so many levels of this issue.   Freedom to read. Freedom to not...but don't ruin it for the rest of  us.  Same with movies,  television, theater. If you don't like it, don't participate. But don't keep me from delving deeper. 

Backyard Find - Top O Hill Terrace Tour

Last week Ray, Tom and Linda, Julie, and I visited our own backyard (Arlington TX) for the Top O' Hill  Terrace Tour - touted as Vegas Before Vegas.  What a hoot.  The brochure says Sermons and Hymns now ring across the terraced hills which once hummed with  the playing of slot machines and roulette wheels. 

On the grounds of the current Arlington Baptist College, glamorous celebrities enjoyed gambling, music, liquor, and more (think ladies of the night) in the 1930s and 40s.  The tea room founded in the 1920s on a terraced hill in Arlington, was bought by Fred Browning and turned into "the place  to be". Underground tunnels were dug for escape, guards at the front gate could sound an  alarm system, and rich folks could romp in splendor. 

Alas, a fiery Baptist preacher, Dr. J. Frank Norris decided to ruin the fun and made it a mission to have police  raids,  etc to rid Tarrant County of this palace of sin. Sinners vs. saints.  The Baptists ended up winning. 

 Much was destroyed and removed. Fortunately under current leadership and with a  lot of research that continues today, the history is being acknowledged and the story told by Mrs. Vicky Branch. An impressive woman, she is telling  the tale with a nifty power point show and tour of grounds. Folks keep adding  to  her information too. One  man was a kid who helped his bootlegging father bring the booze onto the grounds. A lot of nifty tidbits plus the names - Sally Rand, Clark Gable, HL Hunt, Gloria Swanson, John Wayne, Gene Autry, et al - are presented with humor. 

We enjoyed our two hour tour and  were amazed at what  occurred in our own  backyard.  Now, go have a Saturday adventure of your own.!

Wednesday Whoa Movie - Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris

 What a wonderful gem of a movie.  Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris is delightful  from start to finish and Lesley Manville is spot  on. 

It's 1957 and Mrs. Harris lives a simple life as a London  cleaning  lady. She's stuck  in  a rut, misses her Eddie from the war, and struggles to make ends meet. At one of her jobs, she falls in love with a Christian Dior gown hanging in a closet. She now has a goal and saves every penny possible to go to Paris for such a magnificent dress. But she keeps getting  knocked back until it seems her Eddie from above helps make  it happen. 

Once in Paris, Mrs. Harris encounters the snooty manager at Dior played by Isabelle Huppert. But a rich Count, the regular workers, et al are charmed by this common cleaning  lady with a goal. It's a bit magical, but Mrs. Harris's heart helps the house of Dior. The fates seem to move in mysterious ways and there's some twists in the tale of the gown. I won't tell more. 

Go to Paris with Mrs. Harris and enjoy a lovely movie. 

Monday Mania - More Flower Power

More flower power at the Longwood  Gardens. This was the property of Pierre DuPont.  Oh yeah, money honey

and as dusk fell, Bruce Munro's installations came to life...outdoors

and in the conservatory

 Then the grand fountain/music show outside. This picture does not  do justice to the  fountain/flame combo.   It was  fabulous.  Philly Soul Rocks!

Fabulous Friday - Longwood Gardens

While in PA, my sister took me to Longwood  Gardens. It had been awhile since I've been there. Still fabulous. And they had special light installations by Bruce Munro. Plus the fountain show to music - we saw/heard the Philly Love special - tunes by Patti LaBelle, Bruce Springsteen, Hall & Oates, and more. 

Luscious grounds

Cool conservatory with a special installation. The night lighting was amazing (I couldn't capture it right on photos)

 The orchid room is spectacular

Tune in Monday for More Flower Power

Wacky Wednesday - Stoogeum

When I was in PA, I visited The Stoogeum in Ambler. It was a ten minute drive from my dad's house. What a hoot!  Established in 2004, this is the first and largest museum of Three Stooges memorabilia. Over 100,000 pieces are displayed in this 3-story, 10,000 square foot building. There is a theater that shows non-stop Stooges short  films. 

The array and scope of Stooges mania is mind-blowing. Personal items, movie props, rare photos, movie posters, artwork, vintage novelties and artifacts from the  early 1900s onward are included. 

I was there for over an hour just chuckling.  Oh Moe, Larry, and my fave Curly. 

www.stoogeum.com