Showing posts with label fandom. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fandom. Show all posts

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Who is your favorite Beatle?: The results to an informal survey

The Beatles battle it out for your affections

For months I've been asking you all: "who is your favorite Beatle?" (Sorry if it's been annoying!)

In honor of Ringo Starr’s 70th birthday and Paul McCartney’s live performance return to San Francisco at AT&T Park this Saturday, July 10th, I’ve finally posted these articles on Examiner.com (one for every Beatle).

Thank you to all of you who responded. Your responses were fascinating and I had so much fun writing about this topic!

In my findings, the order of most popular to least popular went like this: John, George, Ringo, Paul. A scientific national poll of Americans had a very different opinion (Paul is "America's favorite Beatle").

So who is your favorite Beatle? Are you a fan of the rock’n’roller who got political? How about the quiet spiritual one? Maybe your favorite was the cute one who wrote silly love songs? Or perhaps you go for the underdog? Please feel free to disagree.


And just because: please read this fabulous essay on mightygodking.com (if you haven't already) entitled "Scenes From An Alternate Universe Where The Beatles Accepted Lorne Michaels' Generous Offer." If you are a Beatles fan, you will be moved. Please read at least until the battle of the bands between The Beatles and the Electric Mayhem. It's brilliant.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Other girls loved rock bands, I was a fangirl for The King's Singers


When I was in high school, I was not into Green Day, I was not into the Backstreet Boys, I was a fangirl for The King’s Singers. I was choir nerd. Maybe not so nerdy like Rachel in Glee, but I loved professional and amateur singing groups like Chanticleer and a cappella college choirs.

The King’s Singers have been the preeminent ensemble in the world for a cappella. Tomorrow night I get to see them live for the oh, maybe seventh time? I'm not kidding. I know for awhile there I was seeing them every time they came through Los Angeles in high school. I've also seen them in Ann Arbor, Michigan and in Washington, D.C. I've waited to meet them after shows and asked them sign books and CDs for me. I've also gotten to watch them teach master classes with community and high school groups.

Like I said, I'm a fan.

Wednesday night San Francisco Performances present The King’s Singers at the Herbst Theatre. The program is entitled Myths, featuring the premiere of a piece by Bay Area composer Gabriela Lena Frank [read an interview with her here], as well as works by Bennet, Schültz, Weelkes, Saint-Saëns and one of my favorite madrigals by Monteverdi called “Si Ch’io Vorrei Morire” [Watch it below]

Written in the 17th century, the text is sizzlingly sexy:

Si ch’io vorrei morire
(Yes, I wish to die!)

Hora ch’io bacio amore la bella bocca del mio amato core
(Now I lovingly kiss the beautiful lips of my heart’s desire)

Ahi car’ e dolce lingua datemi tant’ humore che di dolcezz’ in questo sen m’estingua
(Ah, dear and sweet tongue, give me such passion that your sweet breast might quench my desire)

Ahi vita mia, a questo bianco seno deh stringetemi fin ch’io venga meno
(Ah, my life! Press your ivory breast against me that my desire might be satisfied)

Ahi bocca, ahi bacci, ahi lingua, ahi lingua torn’a dire
(Ah, lips, ah, kisses, ah, tongue, give me your passion)

Si ch’io vorrei morire
(Yes, I wish to die!)

READ THE REST OF MY ARTICLE HERE

Monday, December 14, 2009

Lady Gaga fans in San Francisco dress to impress: a photo essay


Yesterday I got a surprise phone call from a friend who had an extra Lady Gag ticket: did I want it? YES!

Yes the show was fun and crazy and WOW what is she wearing now???

I wished that Gaga played a little more piano however. She only tickled the keys for two songs. But, that's okay. I was there for a stage show, and that's what we got.

But the highlight for me was seeing how the fans came out in full force, dressed to the nines, even a Lady of Perpetual Indulgence was in attendance.

CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE PHOTOS AND READ A SHORT REVIEW OF THE SHOW




Sunday, October 18, 2009

Waiting for "Rent" at the Curran Theater: starring Anthony Rapp and Adam Pascal


For seven hours this past Friday I waited in line for $20 rush tickets for the musical Rent at San Francisco's Curran Theater. Yes my friends, this is the fun I have on my furlough Fridays. I am one of those crazy music theater lovers who would do such a thing.

The Curran Theater has been (I believe today is the last day of the short two week run) graciously saving the first two rows of the orchestra (rows AA and BB) for rush tickets buyers. There were only 26 seats. After those were snatched up they offered up some remaining seats for $30. We got the last $20 seat and the first two $30 seats in one of the boxes. The view was obstructed and we couldn't see anything that occurred in the back of the stage (missed all of Mimi's "Take Me Out") and anything upstage right.

HOWEVER, we were close enough to see facial expressions and to feel the full emotional force of these gorgeous songs. I cried when Angel and Collins expressed their love for each other in "I'll Cover You" and again when Angel died. Man, I love this show. Anthony Rapp and Adam Pascal, the originators of the characters Roger and Mark. 13 years later, they sound better than ever. In fact, Adam Pascal's voice was one of my least favorite from the original Broadway recording. His voice has filled out and improved by leaps and bounds since then.

after-Rent glow: Diane and me

I waited in line for 7 hours. My bum is still a soar from sitting on the sidewalk. I even got yelled at by a homeless guy and we had a an Anthony Rapp sighting as he walked to Starbucks across the street. I also met a lovely new friend, Sharon, who is a voice student at San Francisco State University and aspiring music theater performer. We talked shop for most of our waiting time and the day flew by. Here's a picture of her getting her program signed by Adam Pascal. Go girl!

Sharon meeting Adam Pascal, the original "Roger"

Front of line - who knows how early they got there...

More of line, I doubt many of these people got tickets. The line got even longer that afternoon.

This was a fantastic performance and it was well worth the wait. I know the original Broadway recording well, so seeing Pascall and Rapp play the parts was a huge treat.

Furlough Fridays can be fun!