An Evening with Barry Manilow!

On Thursday, May 28th, I FINALLY got to see Barry Manilow live in concert!

 

I have been waiting 36 years for this event! If you remember, back in 2013, Omid bought me tickets to see Barry Manilow for Mother's Day. Unfortunately, the concert was cancelled and I was one bummed out Mother.

 

Fun fact: I used to lie on the living floor of my parents house, listening to Barry Manilow; daydreaming that he would sing to me in person, while I sat on a wooden stool next to him onstage (with the spotlight on us). #fanilowsinceage10

 

My wonderful colleague, Sandy, received an offer from Groupon and we pounced on it. For the past 6 weeks, this concert was basically all we could talk about. No joke.

Myself, Nick, Fay & Sandy with our eTickets.
We tried to get Fay to go with us Fanilows, but she refused.
Fay - you KNOW you would have loved it!!!

Here's the fun group that did attend Barry with Sandy & I.

Amy, Nick, Sandy, Me, Lin & Tammie = MANILOVERS!

The concert was absolutely fantastic!!! Barry did not disappoint and sang ALL of my favorite songs!

I hope I have half the energy Barry does when I am 72!!

 

This last video is my favorite. He sang Mandy then transitioned into Could it be Magic. So wonderful!

Star-struck Fanilows post concert!

How awesome is this? Lin ran out to purchase me a shirt and missed MANDY. I was so sad for her.
I wore this shirt to work on Friday and of course was asked questions all day long. I happily answered them all!

Even though Barry said this is his final concert, I am selfishly hoping he'll headline back in Vega$. I would see him again in a heartbeat! Thank you Barry for a magical time!

ERASURE!

Andy Bell & Vince Clarke

My favorite musical group in the whole wide world? ERASURE! They are my go-to group on my iPod. I've loved them ever since I heard thier first single: Hideaway (way back when!). Omid introduced me to them with this very mixed tape the first summer we were dating. One listen & I was hooked.

Beloved mixed tape from 1988!

Since they announced a North American tour last June, I just knew I HAD to go see them. Long story short: tickets sold out immediately & I was sad that I wasn't able to purchase any. Omid was so sweet & purchased tickets off of Craig's List for me. I got to see them on Wednesday at the Crystal Ballroom with my friend Donna.

Donna & I enjoying a bite to eat before the concert.
Fun Fact: if you eat/drink at Ringlers & save your receipt before a concert in the Crystal Ballroom,
 you get 'preferred entry' into the concert!!

Waiting to get inside!

 Donna & I were about #50/51 in line. Once we entered the ballroom, most of the crowd went to one of the three bars stands in the concert area. Donna & I ran to the stage. Guess what! We were about 8 feet from the stage for the entire concert! The bests seats I've ever had at a concert!

Donna Roberts!
Have a real estate need? Call Donna!
She's licensed in WA & OR!

Feeling piggly wiggly for the concert to begin!

I could not believe the woman next to me was wearing earplugs!

Opening band: FrankMusik. Dance-trance stuff (not bad!).

 After FrankMusik opened, we had to wait about 30 more minutes for Erasure to perform. We were really curious as to what Andy would wear.  He came marching on stage & looked adorable in his sparkly, red blazer & trojan hat.

Andy!

Costume change.

Vince
Fun fact: Vince is a founding member of both Depeche Mode & Yaz.

 Erasure performed for about an hour & a half and then came back and sang for another 20 minutes. It was hands down, the BEST concert I have ever attended. Andy didn't disappoint & danced away on the stage just like we'd hoped. I loved the fact that the entire Crystal Ballroom was singing/shouting to all the songs. It was a huge sing-a-long! Andy & Vince performed all my favorites!! I took several videos and uploaded them to YouTube. If you want to view my YouTube channel,  you can click here. One huge warning: I am singing along & not very well! I was really disappointed to hear myself singing that badly. I apologize in advance!

Farewell!
It was an amazing concert & I can't wait until the next time I get to see them!

Fun Fact: On October, 11 - Erasure will release a new album called Tomorrow's World!

Lastly: I always suspected Vince & Andy were super cool, but this blog post from Mike the Fanboy confirms it! Just a few days ago after their Hollywood show,  Vince & Andy spent time signing autographs & posing for photos with fans. I love that! Warning: there are a few inappropriate photos on that post.

George Thorogood Part 2

Today was the day! A free George Thorogood mini-concert. And I mean mini. George sang 4 songs and told a few stories. The entire mini concert was 30 minutes. But...it was free and we had a good time!

Our tickets!

 Waiting with the other concert contest winners.

 We were told that we couldn't take any photos until
George had finished playing.

George sounded great & he certainly was amazing with his guitar. One interesting note: he has a HUGE ego and was very cocky. But...it did make for some funny stories. He is a true American redneck, that's for sure! George sang the one song I was hoping he would sing: One bourbon, one scotch & one beer. He saved that one for last. ☺

Oly Weekend (part one)

The kids, Remy & I had a busy weekend in Olympia. Saturday night, B's step-son, Kohl, had a gig at the old Eagle's ballroom in downtown Olympia.
There were two bands playing the show. Kohl's band is called Save it for Saturday.

Proud Dad: Tom
Sammee came along for the show.

View from the ballroom of East Bay Drive.

Matty: waiting for the show to start.

Cayden was all prepared with earplugs. It was loud!

B & Cayden
The Band.

Kohl (center)
The band was pretty good. They even passed out free cds to everyone.

Good luck, guys!