Monday, March 25, 2013

When Your Team Stops Dancing

I felt for NC State fans on Friday.  Everyone was gathered around the TVs and their computers watching helplessly as the Pack tried to dig themselves out of a hole they'd created against Temple.  But alas, it was not to be and they were out of the NCAA Tournament...in the first round.



It wasn't altogether shocking, just an 8 seed losing to a 9 seed.  UNC losing last night to #1 Kansas wasn't a stunner either.  Even still, there may be nothing better in sports than March Madness and you never want your team to lose on the first weekend.

Remember when #2 Duke lost to #15 Lehigh last year?  Nowadays a #15 beating a #2, while still a huge surprise, isn't all that uncommon.  This year's darlings, the Florida Gulf Coast University Eagles, knocked off Georgetown and it happened twice last year.  But I'll never forget the first time a #15 knocked off a #2, because I was a student at Syracuse University when the Richmond Spiders defeated the Orangemen in 1991.  There was literally screaming and throwing of items out windows all over campus that day.



You never want to stop dancing on the first weekend...no matter what.

Foster
Radio 96.1

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Anything Goes Review








The Broadway-Revival of Anything Goes has hit the road, and it opened last night at DPAC. 

I knew NOTHING about the show going in, other than there were songs by Cole Porter featured and the poster looks like an awesome 1930s film.  Based on that alone, I was sold, and here's why:

If you don't know who these people are, I have a box set you can borrow.





There's not much that my dad has passed on to me that he loves.  For instance, I don't run.  (Blech!)  I don't play golf. (Booooooring!) Those things, he gave to my brother, Mark.  But I, at least got the good stuff, as far as I'm concerned:  my dad's love of music and his love for the lavish 1930s and 1940s musical.  Specifically, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.  I could sit on a Saturday and find a Fred and Ginger movie on one of the 7 channels we had--hey, it was the 80s!--and be entertained forever.  I was mesmerized by the footwork, the costumes, the amount of practice that Fred Astaire became known for to get every single shot right.  When he died inn 1987, I thought at the time, in my tween/early teen mind that it was the single saddest day of my life. 

That's why I loved Anything Goes.  This show is the closest thing you can get to a Fred Astaire/Ginger Rogers musical on stage.  There's the blonde, brash talking dame in Reno Sweeney.  The hero who has a magical singing voice and swift feet in Billy Crocker.  There's comedy at every turn, with campy one liners that just crack you up whether you see them coming or not.  And the costumes are amazing.  Lots of sparkly evening gowns...just like a lavish 1930s or 1940s musical. 

Hands down, the show stopper is the tap number at the end of the first act.  I could. Not. Look. Away.  And you won't, either.

If you are a fan, closeted or otherwise, who loves the Hollywood musical, this show is for you.  I loved it, and you will, too.  It's fun, funny and a great escape from the hum-drum ordinary. I'm so glad I saw it.

I think I'm feeling a Fred and Ginger marathon tonight.  I feel sorry for my fiance.  Let's hope he's a musical fan, too!



Get tickets for anything goes by calling the Durham Performing Arts Center at 919-680-2787, or by visiting their website.  Anything Goes plays as part of the SunTrust Broadway Series at DPAC from now until March 24.


Alli


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Tuesday, March 12, 2013

You Want Me To LAND The Plane?

If you had told me I'd be flying a plane in 2013, I probably wouldn't have believed you.



If you told me I'd be taxiing, taking off, and doing climbs and decents in my first lesson, that would have seemed really nuts.

If you told me I'd be doing 45 degree turns in my second lesson, I would have said, "ridiculous".

And I KNOW if you'd told me that I'd not only fly, but land the plane - not once, but twice, in Louisburg and Raleigh - on my third lesson - I would have had you committed.

But it's all happened....and it can happen for you, too.



www.learntoflyraleigh.com
919-840-0064

Captain Foster
Radio 96.1