It was back to work again today after a weekend of not even thinking about the office. I needed a weekend like this because its been pretty busy since the "season" has really started now.
Today two of the maintenance workers came to the Oasis building and I couldn't help but take a picture of two of them wearing their elf hats.
We left at four o'clock for Apache Junction with 27 others from the park. We went to the Arizona Opry tonight for the Christmas show.
Now I have to be honest with you I hadn't even considered going because I wasn't all that crazy about the idea of going to the "OPRY" thinking it was going to be a night of twang-y country music, but when I called in our "count" I found out that since we had a group of more than 20 we had two $25 comp tickets coming to us. Hmmmm....two free tickets and as Activities Coordinator I had to make use of them somehow and free works for this Queen of Cheap! So what the heck, we'll have dinner, watch the show, how bad can it be? Well, let me tell you, we didn't hear one country song! We heard Christmas songs, Big Band music, Jimmy Buffet, Beach Boy music and more.
We arrive after dark at the 500 seat dinner theater, darn this winter sunset time!
We had good seats! We were seated just left of center in the second and third rows of tables back from the stage. This picture was taken from our table.
I had never seen so much brass!
These weren't for "show", they are all played during the course of the show!
Looking around, while the lights were still up, I took notice of some guitars displayed on the walls. I think you'd agree that there really isn't anything special about these two.
Here's the one displayed next to the two above. It even has a special name, its called a "toiletar" and yes, it has actually been played on stage during the show.
Before the show was started we were served dinner which was consisted of roast beef, mashed potatoes, a vegetable medley (broccoli, cauliflower and carrots) cole slaw, a roll and your choice of water, lemonade, coffee or something from the bar. We opted for the bar. I had to drink a Coke because they don't serve Pepsi but I got through it.
The Arizona Opry is owned and operated by the Barleen family. This year they are celebrating 30 years of entertaining Arizona. It truly is a family affair in this Opry. The twin daughters, Brenda and Barbara, are hosts, singers, musical instrument players and major decision makers for the operation. Oh boy, can they sing!
Barbara, on the left is married to George Staerkel the Music Director.
Now you may not recognize his name but I'm sure you all know him! Back in the day George was a member of the group called the Tokens. Still not ringing a bell? How about this...
In the jungle, the mighty jungle
The lion sleeps tonight
In the jungle, the quiet jungle
The lion sleeps tonight
Wimoweh, wimoweh, wimoweh, wimoweh
Yep, that guy! And he still sounds the same when he sings it!
There were other musicians/singers on stage besides these three. Steve Weitz plays the bass guitar, horns, sings and is "Willie" during the show. This picture isn't that good but his impersonation was right on.
Bill Wells, guitarist extraordinaire, also plays Elvis in addition to a "surfer dude" during the show.
He certainly wasn't the best Elvis I've ever seen and I'm sure he was going just for the laughs and those he got a thousandfold!
During the intermission we were able to get up and go to the gift shop. Now Jeannie just couldn't resist buying these "teeth" that light up when in your mouth. Oh geez, if she sees this we might be on our way to Alaska a lot sooner than we thought.
Also during intermission, Granny, went around to all the people celebrating birthdays or anniversaries. During the show she came on stage and did a little comedy routine that was really pretty good.
During the last part of the show, George played 18 different horns in 10 minutes. What a show! Here are some of the horns he played. He plays over 50 different instruments!
This one weighed 90 pounds!
The biggest of all! The Alp Horn.
Over the years George has acquired horns from some pretty impressive musicians. His collection includes celebrity horns of Doc Severinsen, Al Hirt, Herb Alpert, Boot Randolph, Tex Beneke and Bill Chase and the 1984 Los Angeles Summer Olympics Herald Trumpet. Some of the names of the musicians listed above I didn't recognize but I knew the music as soon as he played it.
So this was our night at the Opry. I sure am glad we went. All the way home Bob kept saying that this was probably one of the best shows he's ever seen and we've seen a lot over the years.
2 comments:
Don & I went to the Arizona Opry twice last winter and were very impressed and entertained at each show. Glad you decided to go.
Sorry we didn't know you were there or we could have met & said HI! We are just down the road a bit. We went last year & thought it was fabulous! The talent that family has is amazing!
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