Friday in Phoenix

02008-06-28 | Photos, Touring | 3 comments

Stevo and I arrive at the Phoenix studio of Channel 3 at 0730. Told him how interesting it is not to drink any coffee when going to an early morning TV show. Most people were buzzing with energy, while we just sat there. He agreed that it was interesting. Like being in a different time zone, where the air is thicker and movement slower compared to everyone around.

We did cheer the news meteorologist, because that’s a hard job in Arizona or California… we were reminded of the scene in “LA Story”, where the Steve Martin weatherman character pre-records a few days of announcing 70 degrees and perfect weather, only to have a storm hit during that time…

Stevo and I performed four pieces, two of which were short bumpers, La Luna and Streetlight, a main piece – an abbreviated Three Days Without You – and Snakecharmer for the credits/ending.

Afterwards Stevo and the rest left on the bus, while I sat in front of the TV studio waiting on a friend – like last year. He took me to a nice little cafe for a little breakfast and coffee.

Noon – Celebrity Theatre. Tonight’s performance will be in the round, meaning that the stage will rotate. Haven’t experienced that since we performed here with Basha in 1990. During soundcheck the stage began rotating, so we could get used to the experience. The movement was very smooth, except for the moment, every 7½ minutes or so, when the stage reversed direction. The sensation was particularly interesting when experienced with one’s eyes closed. Trippy.

Photo by Stevo:

Read in Basho’s Journey, a book of the great Japanese poet’s prose, – essentially a translation of his diaries/travel journals:

Then we landed on the opposite shore where the old cherry tree remains as a memento to priest Saigyo, who wrote of fishermen “rowing over blossoms”.

(((Immediately reminded me of this.)))

Looked up the poem:

The cherry trees
of Kisagata are buried
under the waves
as fishermen row their boats,
over waves of blossoms

After a storm or flood?

Imagined a convention where people wore poetic tags instead of name-tags, like “Rowing over Waves of Blossoms” or “Snowflake landing on a Butterfly” – would say much more about a person than name or title…

I was happy with the evening’s performance. The band sounded more sure-footed and stronger. (((hello! It was only the second performance!))) I had a major mistake in Firelight, but we moved through that and onward. Audience very nice. A good evening. Afterwards sake with friends in the parking lot, celebrating Jon’s birthday.
Celebrity - Backstage Entrance at Night

Cover of AZ Weekly: One, Two

3 Comments

  1. Decomprose

    Thanks very much for a great show last night! Thoroughly enjoyed it and the chance to share the Nigori afterwards. Hey, Steven’s sunglasses and pirate’s hat might help shield the fluorescent glare in Bevmo.

    Happy birthday again to John, and enjoy Vegas!

    Reply
  2. Anna

    Ottmar, I hope you are coming to Sydney sometime next year.

    I wonder if Mr Callahan took a day of work ;-)

    Happy Belated Birthday Jon.

    Rob, did you take any photos?

    Reply
  3. Anna

    Over the next 2 months, Santa Fe Opera House is staging production of Billy Budd.
    I have to wait till October to see it. My favorite baritone is the playing Billy Budd.

    This year I saw him in ‘Peter Grimes’ in HD from the Met and he was brilliant.
    Most of the movie theater was clapping when he came out on stage, they were clapping and screaming Bravo at the end of ‘Peter Grimes’.
    It was as if they forgot that they were watching a movie and not seeing a live Opera.

    Reply

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