How 'Bout Those Jazz!

I have a love/hate relationship with the Utah Jazz.  I had the weekend ticket package with a friend of mine for years and years.  I hardly paid attention to the game.  For me, it was a fun evening out and an excuse to go to Red Rock Brewery for dinner before the game (I love the Red Rock Burger).  Then a certain Mr. Kyle Korver was traded to the team and I became obsessed (actually obsessed might be too much of an understatement but let's leave it at that).  I went to every single home game remaining in the season.  I bought a jersey.  I started watching away games on television.  I learned what a pick and roll was.  For the next few years I had season tickets with my aunt and cousin and I loved going to games!  I even started going to Jazz events (the less said about the unfortunate hyperventilating incident when I met Kyle Korver the first time the better).  Then Korver became a free agent and signed with the Chicago Bulls.  Despite my devastation, I renewed my season tickets anyway but it just wasn't the same.  After Coach Sloan quit and Deron Williams was traded, things went downhill for me.  During a game against the Dallas Mavericks, Al Jefferson had an epic temper tantrum and got ejected.  The rest of the team literally shut down after that.  I was so disgusted that I decided to sell my tickets to the remaining games and I vowed never to return.  In fact, the next year I only went to one game and the Jazz lost.  Last year I decided to get a ten game package because I like having things to do.  Their first win of the season was the first game I attended.  Even though the Jazz were a terrible team last year, they always won when I was there (even a bonus game between the Jazz and Nuggets that I saw in Denver).  I thought of myself as their good luck charm and it was fun going to games.  However, in the last few games I went to the Jazz blew a lead in the fourth quarter.  Many people said they were losing intentionally to get a higher draft pick and that was really disappointing to me.  During the off-season a new coach was hired and the team was reconfigured with a lot of young players.  I didn't know what to think!  I went to my first game this season last night and I saw a spark that just might make me a Jazz fan again!  The first half of the game was a bit underwhelming.  The Jazz looked sluggish and trailed the Oklahoma City Thunder by as many as 17 points.  Then Coach Snyder ran on the court to protest a foul and had an epic meltdown which resulted in a technical.  It was awesome!  Then he started yelling at the Jazz and they responded by going on a 10-0 run to cut the Thunder lead to two points.  That got the ESA cheering.  They played much better during the second half and eventually took the lead, which they held for the rest of the game to win 98-81.  The game was so much fun for me and I especially loved seeing our rookie, Dante Exum, hitting those threes!   I think these young players are only going to get better and I may need to go to a few more games this season!

Note:  Before the game, the guys sitting next to me said that the Jazz really needed a big win.  I told them not to worry because I was there and I was their good luck charm.  After the game, they told me that they had decided to pool their money to get me season tickets!  So much fun!

Ballet West's Giselle

Last night I saw the classic ballet Giselle beautifully re-staged by Ballet West Artistic Director Adam Sklute.  I absolutely loved it! Giselle is a young peasant girl who meets a handsome man named Loy (who is really Albrecht, the Duke of Silesia, in disguise).  She falls in love with him much to the dismay of Hilarion, a peasant boy who loves her.  Loy leaves when he hears the horns of a hunting party but Hilarion discovers his true identity when he finds his sword.  The hunting party is comprised of the Duke of Courland and his daughter, Bathilde, who becomes fond of Giselle. They speak of love and confess that they are both engaged (it turns out that they are engaged to the same man).  Later, Loy returns and Hilarion confronts him with his sword. Giselle, upon learning the truth, goes mad and takes her own life.  When Albrecht visits Giselle's grave, he is confronted by the Wilis, the spirits of young maidens who were betrayed before their wedding day and seek revenge against those who deceived them. The Wilis force Albrecht to dance until he dies but Giselle forgives him which frees him from the spell.  I was thrilled when I learned that Christopher Ruud, my favorite Ballet West dancer, was dancing the role of Albrecht and Christiana Bennett, another favorite, was dancing the role of Myrthe, the Queen of the Wilis.  Giselle was danced by Arolyn Williams and she was amazing!  I loved the scene where Loy (Albrecht) woos Giselle.  The business with the flower to determine if Loy loves her is really sweet.  The Pas de Deux between Albrecht and Giselle's ghost is incredibly tender and beautiful (as is all the music for this ballet).  I loved the woodland scenery and costumes.  Most of the corps is costumed in rustic browns and greens while Giselle and Albrecht are in light blue.  It is a striking contrast.  The Wilis are all in white with a touch of green, making them seem otherworldly. The whole effect is quite beautiful.  The new staging is lovely and I highly recommend this production. Unfortunately, there are only two performances left:  an evening performance tonight (Sat) and a matinee tomorrow (Sun).  Go here for tickets and information.

Note:  I overheard a girl sitting near me say that her dream was to go to Russia and see a ballet.  I think that is a pretty good dream to have.

Holiday Fun for the Locals

If you live near SLC, here are two of my favorite activities to do with the kiddos during the holidays (we usually rotate them every other year).  Normally I like to wait until after Thanksgiving before I start to get too excited about Christmas but I've noticed that tickets are selling quickly so it might be a good idea to get prepared!

Breakfast with Santa

Breakfast with Santa happens in the Show Barn at Thanksgiving Point every Saturday in December.  First you have a delicious breakfast with bacon, eggs, sausage, French toast (with cinnamon-swirled bread), hash browns, orange juice, and hot chocolate.  So good!  Then Santa meets with each child (he sometimes brings visitors like the Grinch and Buddy the Elf).  Then there is a fun winter carnival with games and crafts.  Sean and Tashena always have a lot of fun (but Tashena says she is too old now).  Tickets are $22 for adults and $18 for children.  Go here for more information and to purchase tickets.

North Pole Express

The Heber Valley Railroad takes a magical journey to Santa's workshop in the North Pole.  Children ride in their pajamas while drinking hot chocolate and eating Mrs. Claus's delicious homemade cookies.  Santa comes aboard at the North Pole and gives everyone the gift of Christmas (but only if you believe).  There are two different prices for coach tickets and first-class tickets (more swag) and there are several discounted days so go here for more information and to purchase tickets.  They are going quickly!

Tips for Enjoying a Classical Music Performance

I am not an expert on classical music.  In fact, I was actually quite intimidated when I went to my first symphony concert as a college student.  What should I wear?  Will I be the only one my age?  How should I behave?  Will I like it?  Fortunately, I had a wonderful experience and now I love attending Utah Symphony performances!  If you are thinking about attending a concert (you should!) here are some tips to make your experience more enjoyable.

1.  Forget any preconceived notions you have about classical music.

Classical music is not boring!  Forget about the bland and soporific Muzak you hear in elevators and department stores.  In my opinion, classical music is incredibly beautiful and dynamic.  It can be so powerful that your heart pounds, so exquisite that your spine tingles, or so achingly mournful that tears come to your eyes.  Classical music is not just for old or rich people.  I see people of all ages at symphony performances (including some HHS students who enjoyed it more than they thought they would) and, honestly, Utah Symphony concerts are quite reasonable with tickets starting as low as $18.  I spend much more for theatre productions or Utah Jazz tickets!  Finally, most fans of classical music are not pretentious snobs.  Okay, okay I use the occasional big word but, really, I am very down to earth.  My other passion in life is hockey and I am awfully fond of superhero movies and trashy Danielle Steele novels.  Most people who like classical music are just like you!

2.  Find a favorite composer.

I became a fan of Mozart after watching the movie Amadeus when I was in high school.  I like his music because it is light, airy, and beautifully uncomplicated making it easily accessible for people with little or no background knowledge about classical music.  I bought the soundtrack to the movie and listened to it over and over.  My first symphony concert was a performance of Mozart's Requiem Mass and I absolutely loved it.  Hearing a piece of music I really loved played by a live orchestra was an experience I will never forget!  Listen to some classical music on stations like Pandora and see what pieces you are drawn to.  Who is the composer?  Why do you like it?  Do you like anything else by that composer?  The Utah Symphony programs the work of a variety of different composers during the season so there is bound to be a concert featuring your favorite.  Initially, I only attended concerts featuring Mozart but, as I gradually became exposed to other composers (most concerts feature several composers), I realized that I also like many Russian composers, such as Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, Shostakovitch, Rimsky-Korsakov, and Prokofiev, because their music is so emotional.  I am always adding new favorites to my list.

3.  Know what to expect.

Plan to arrive at the venue a little bit early to find your seat.  Concerts start on time and, if you are late, you will not be seated until an appropriate pause so as not to disturb other concertgoers.  Turn off your phone and refrain from talking during the performance.  It is distracting to audience members and the orchestra.  There really is no dress code.  I have seen people dressed in everything from jeans to full length black velvet capes and tiaras.  Wear whatever makes you comfortable but, because most concert halls are incredibly beautiful (Abravanel Hall is gorgeous), you might feel more comfortable wearing something a little bit dressy to fit in with the surroundings.  I tend to wear black!  Symphonies are divided into sections called movements and there are generally pauses between them.  You typically do not clap during these pauses (unless a soloist has been particularly spectacular).  I learned this the hard way and now generally follow the cues from the conductor who will lower his baton at the end of a piece!  However, you should clap when the concertmaster and conductor (and occasionally a soloist) come on stage at the beginning of the concert as a sign of respect.  Knowing these little bits of etiquette might make you feel less conspicuous at your first concert.

4.  Just enjoy the music!

There are notes about the featured composers and pieces that will be performed in the program and the Utah Symphony hosts pre-concert lectures one hour before each performance but, really, you don't need to do anything to prepare for a concert.  Just listen to the music!  I like to listen for a melody and variations which are repeated throughout a piece.  I also like to listen for specific instruments.  I played the clarinet in school so I particularly like it when the woodwind section is featured.  I also have a thing for chimes (I don't know why).  My sister plays the cello and likes to watch that section during a performance.  Sometimes I concentrate on an emotion that I feel while listening to a piece and other times I close my eyes and visualize a scene called to mind by the music.  All you have to do is sit back and enjoy a lovely evening.

Even if you are intimidated by classical music, step out of your comfort zone and attend a concert.  You just might find a life long passion like I did!

Don't forget to enter the giveaway for a pair of tickets to a Utah Symphony concert next weekend!

Interstellar

Yesterday I went to see the movie Interstellar in IMAX.   To be honest with you, I am still trying to wrap my brain around it!  In a dystopian future, the earth has lost the ability to sustain itself and the final crop is about to be destroyed by a blight.  Cooper (Matthew McConaughey) is a former NASA pilot and engineer who has had to become a farmer due to food shortages but is not content with this role.  He ends up at a top secret NASA installation which has discovered a worm hole to another galaxy.  Ten astronauts were sent through the worm hole several years ago to determine if ten planets in this galaxy are able to sustain life.  Three of these astronauts have sent back favorable reports.  NASA believes that the only way to save the human race is to colonize one of these planets.  None of their pilots have actually been to space so they recruit Cooper to lead the expedition.  However, NASA's chief physicist (Michael Caine) has not yet solved the problem of evacuating the human race from the Earth's gravitational pull.  Cooper decides to go on the mission even though he is leaving his son (Timothee Chalamet) and daughter (Mackenzie Foy), justifying it because he is saving them.  Once in space, Cooper and his team (Anne Hathaway, Wes Bentley, and David Gyasi) encounter one obstacle after another: one planet is too close to a black hole, time on one planet passes much slower than it does on the space station, an astronaut on one of the planets (Matt Damon) has gone crazy from the isolation, gravity is still an issue back on Earth, and, due to a series of accidents, there is not enough fuel to return to earth.  In addition, NASA believes that there are sentient beings in another dimension guiding the people of Earth to a solution in space (which is how Cooper found the NASA compound in the first place). Does the plot sound convoluted?  It is and, in true Christopher Nolan fashion, there is a huge plot twist at the end!  Frankly, I didn't know what was going on half the time!  It almost didn't matter.  Even with all of the confusion, my attention never wavered during the almost three hour run-time.  The film is beautiful and the special effects are out of this world (pun intended).  Traveling through the worm hole is one of the coolest things I have ever seen and an emergency docking with the space station had me sitting on the edge of my seat holding my breath!  It is quite a spectacle.  Also, the personal drama between Cooper and his daughter (Jessica Chastain, as an adult) is incredibly compelling and McConaughey's performance is brilliant.  Nevertheless, even hours after seeing this movie,  I still don't know what to think about it.  I suppose the fact that I am still thinking about it is reason enough for me to recommend it!

Note:  A major complaint is that the sound sometimes overpowered the dialogue.  But, since I know nothing about astrophysics, I probably wouldn't have understood the dialogue anyway!

Don't forget to enter the giveaway for a pair of tickets to see the Utah Symphony next weekend!