Monday, November 16, 2015

weekend of Nov. 13-15, 2015


November 13, 2015
Tonight I took my two nephews and teenage niece (who willingly joined us) to see the new "Peanuts" movie that just came out last weekend. In light of that, I decided it would still be a good idea to reserve tickets in advance. I need not have worried as there were perhaps only 20 of us or so in attendance at the Movie Tavern. Incidentally, that's the first time I ever went there for dessert only instead of also having dinner. The kids were happy enough to split a big bucket of popcorn while I had an ice cream/brownie dessert (fattening no doubt, but really good!).

We all enjoyed the movie, but in a quiet sort of way. None of us were raving about it, but then one doesn't expect much fanfare with the Peanuts. They're an American institution that we've all grown up with, and this movie carries on that tradition expertly, though I'm not sure it will ever be a classic. Still, there are worse ways to spend a Friday evening.


November 15, 2015
Tonight my husband and I attended the Columbus Symphony Hollywood Festival: John Williams Spectacular, which was a collection of music from famous movies (and the Olympics) performed by the symphony and chorus. Johnny DiLoretto, local radio personality, was the mc, and did a really spectacular job.

The pieces performed by the symphony were:

Olympic Fanfare and theme
"Jaws," Suite from the Universal Picture "Jaws"
"Superman March" from "Superman" (my personal favorite)
"Harry's Wondrous World" from "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" Suite for Orchestra
Theme from "Schindler's List" (from the Universal Motion Picture "Schinder's List")
* a moment of silence was observed in respect of the recent tragedy in Paris
"Adventures on Earth" from the Universal Picture "E.T." (The Extra Terrestrial)

INTERMISSION

"The Cowboys" Overture
"Hymn to the Fallen" from "Saving Private Ryan" Columbus Symphony Chorus
"Princess Leia's Theme" from "Star Wars" Suite
"Battle of the Heroes" from "Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith"
Columbus Symphony Chorus
"Duel of the Fates" from "The Phantom Menace: Suite for Orchestra
Columbus Symphony Chorus
"Main Title" from "Star Wars" Suite

Encore: "Darth Vader's Theme" from "Star Wars" Suite
Rossen Milanov, the conductor, came out with a red (plastic) light saber to conduct the final piece, which I thought was a nice touch.

All in all, an expertly performed and very enjoyable evening of classic movie themes.


Tuesday, November 10, 2015

It's all about Art this week

(this was on the back of yesterday's calendar page on my Page-a-Day calendar):

THE DAILY EXTRA

Groaners: World's Best Bad Jokes and Puns

A burglar in Paris nearly got away with stealing several paintings from the Louvre. However, after planning the crime, getting in and out past security, he was captured only two blocks away when his van ran out of gas. When asked how he could mastermind such a crime and then make such an obvious error, he replied, "I had no Monet to buy Degas to make the Van Gogh."

Here's a photo of my favorite "art" poster which hangs on my closet door.

Have a good week everyone!