A Special Time

Sang a show at the Villa Thursday night...7:15 - 8:15 pm. I was surprised at the turnout, especially since the activity director called me the day before to say they weren't getting many residents attending the show in the evening. I had a good showing and they were a delightful audience!



I couldn't believe that I had left my music stand home when I first arrived at the Villa! UGH! I do sneak a peek at the words of the songs now and then, especially since I've learned seven new songs recently. I keep my whole show lineup in a binder so I needed to put the binder on something! Of course they didn't have a music stand..., So I tried the grand piano top at first...wasn't high enough. Finally I pulled their big amp/speaker over in front of me and then piled four big pillows on top of that and it sorta worked for me.... The audience seemed to enjoy my ingenuity.



Now the special moment.... Yesterday, Friday, I sang a show in Antioch. All went as expected. After the show there was a fellow, Dave, who always hangs around and visits with me. He usually will ask me for the lyrics of one of the songs, this time "Stormy Weather". He's a real sweetheart, in a wheel chair and has health issues. He's told me of his time growing up in San Francisco and we've had many good laughs. He had missed my last two shows because he had been in the hospital so we caught up a little. When it was time for me to leave, he said his usual good bye (always warning me to drive carefully) then this time he said.... "I love you" and tears welled in his eyes. Dave is not a flirt like some of the guys in these places, Dave is more of a fatherly guy and I knew that's what he meant. It was such at tender sweet moment. Of course I hugged him and we talked a little longer and then I had to leave.



The feeling is beyond words...I am so thankful that I am able to sing in places like this one and honestly, I get more out of it than the audience. It's a blessing.

Good Times With a Dear Friend and Singing

Had a fun time on Friday June 18th... my dear friend Angel came for a visit from San Jose and we started the day out by going to lunch at Faz in Pleasanton. We enjoyed our BLT salad and Calamari. Angel had a delicious looking Lemon Drop Martini, but because I was going to be singing my gig later in the day I decided to pass it up...boo hoo. It was nice to catch up and visit. Angel is a Kindergarten teacher and usually brings me a lovely bag of "leftovers" from her stash of fun stuff for kids. I am then able to go through the goodies and discover new little treasures for my grandchildren that find them in the "kid room" during their next visit.

When we returned home from the restaurant we sat in the backyard for awhile and visited. Bob was home as well and joined us. Our friendship goes back 38 years so we always have lots to talk about and share.

About 2:15 p.m. I got ready for the show, changed into my "fancy" duds and Angel and I left for Danville. My show started at 3:00 p.m. When we arrived residents had started to gather and the fun was about to begin. Angel decided to sit off to the side near the front so she could observe the audience and take in their response to the program. I have to admit that it's fun to watch the group while the show is going on.

The entertainment director was there and she strongly encourages group participation. She dances with men and women in the audience and she has an assistant who helps her and he is an attractive gentlemen perhaps in his late 60s..early 70s ?? who dances with her and also the women in the audience who would like to dance. It's all quite lively and the people who don't dance enjoy watching the ones that do!

When I was about to sing "Sway" I introduced Angel to the crowd. I briefly told them how long we had been friends and that Angel was a good dancer and liked the show "Dancing With the Stars". At this point, the entertainment director swooped in and practically demanded that Angel dance with the male assistant! Of course Angel was a good sport and agreed to get up and dance, (even in her beautiful sparkly, lavender, flip-flop sandals). The residents loved it and she proved to be quite the great dancer and her partner told her so!

Later in the program the activity director introduced a new resident to the Lodge. She announced that the woman was 103 years old!!!!! Looking at the woman you would never guess this was her age! She appeared much younger than her actual years. It was shared that she liked to dance and at this point the Activity Director asked her to stand and have a slow dance with the male assistant. After some prodding and pleading she finally got up and danced in front of her chair to "Moonglow". She actually lasted the whole song and although there wasn't much footwork, it was amazing to see her stay on her feet that long and dance in a circle! Several pictures were taken and I'm sure she will enjoy seeing them and the Lodge will share them as well.

The regular array of characters were present, the woman who solo dances with her little hat on. The gentleman who is usually in the back row with his walker singing along to all the songs. It's a good group and the wine and treats served during the music always makes the event festive.

It was especially fun for me because of Angel being there and we were able to share a few "winks" during the performance and laughs as well. I always count my blessings that I am able to enjoy such fun "work" and be paid for it as well.

Angel came back home with me and we had another short visit with Bob as we shared of our adventure at the Lodge together and then she headed back home to San Jose.

All in all a GREAT day indeed!

A Fun-filled Show at the Villa

I sang an hour show Friday afternoon, June 11th 2010 at the Villa. I'm finally feeling back in full voice and can pretty much count on the sounds coming out of my mouth to be the ones I was hoping for! I also sang Wednesday night June 9th in Castro Valley and even then my voice cut out for a few words during "All That Jazz!" So I guess it's a whole process of building everything back up again....Sheesh, it's been since April 1st since this whole voice/allergy/etc... began!

Anyway, great show on Friday afternoon. It's really the audience that makes it special. Many of the same people attend my show. They watch the calendar to see when I will be entertaining and make a point to sit near the front and often times bring friends along with them to share the event.

One couple on Friday brought along a friend. He was younger than them, could have been the age of a son...but I wasn't sure... He was of a different ethnic background, but who knows nowadays... I'm always interested to see how someone younger than the average age of the residents who attend will react to my hour of singing. This "guest" was wonderful. He stayed very attentive and enjoyed all of my stories and attempts at being funny. He added so much to the overall audience as they seemed to pick up energy from him.

One resident got there about 10 minutes late. I was in the middle of singing Peggy Lee's sassy song, "Why Don't You Do Right".... The song goes on about "give me some money too"... So as this gentlemen was coming down the hall getting ready to find a seat, he starts swaying to the music and heading towards me. Now, I've gotten to know this guy over the years of singing here. He's even presented me with bottles of wine after the show! We start playing off of each other with the words to the song. He then, as if on cue or as if we had rehearsed it..pulls out a money clip filled thick with CASH! He offers me what I want and the audience just cracked up as I did too! It was all so fun and again, moments like this is what makes the show so special.

Later on in the performance a woman in the front row asked me if my husband liked to dance. I went on to explain to the audience that yes indeed, my husband will get up and dance with me usually, but that many times I will dance solo or dance with my girlfriends. I said, " I have many fun, wild, girlfriends..." And as if on cue, my fun friend with the money clip suggests, "bring 'em on over next time!" Needless to say, we all lost control laughing!

As I sang "The Very Thought Of You" I noticed that a woman near the front started to dab her eyes. I heard her say to the person next to her that the song was making her cry... The more I sang, the more she started to cry. I knew she must be re-living a special memory or moment. When I finished I went over to her and hugged her. I told her and the audience that it's amazing how a song can bring back memories. I shared that I also get emotional at hearing certain songs as they take me back to younger days or remind me of a prom or special date... Again, this added to the special moments during this show.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention a little more about the "money clip" guy. Picture a guy about 72 years old, spry, twinkle in his blue eyes, an easy, ready smile, former musician (sax player). He is all those things, but his real age is 93! I don't know if it's attitude, good genes or what, but there is no way this guy looks or acts his age! Amazing!

Next show is June 18th, in Danville. Hope it's as good as this one was!