More than a Book - Press Here by Herve Tullet

I ran across this little gem at the Museum of Modern Art on a day-trip to NYC last weekend and then hunted it down on this blog: You Know, for Kids. I think it's the most fun book I've ever read.

Presents

Last night, I was shopping online, and I came across this thing and thought, "Boy, Julia would really like this thing!" Then, I looked at the price, and I thought, "That's highway robbery for that thing! I could make that thing!" (Not to discount my own talent at making things like this thing, but really, sometimes I wonder how they come up with these prices.) And then I looked around my (admittedly very messy) room and found that I had all the things I needed to make that thing. So, instead of going to bed at a decent hour, I started working on this thing and became enchanted by it and was up until two. It's not quite finished but will be soon, and once Julia has received this enchanting thing, I will post a picture of it (and perhaps its high-priced doppelganger) to see if you're enchanted too!

Happy Tuesday!

Orchestrating a Dream

World War II veteran Bernie Brosky loves the orchestra. Given the choice between jazz and the symphony, he said he'd take the symphony every time. He has also often told friends and family that he would love to have the opportunity to conduct the orchestra himself. Dreamweaver Melanie Torok caught wind of this and went straight to Wheeling's own local orchestra.

On October 24, 2011, Maestro Andre Raphel visited resident Bernie Brosky at Wheeling Hospital's Bishop Joseph H. Hodges Continuous Care Center. Maestro Raphel invited Mr. Brosky and his family to attend the Wheeling Symphony's November 11 Masterworks II concert--An American Salute. At the concert, Mr. Brosky will be recognized not only for his service to our country but also as the Honorary Conductor of the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra.

Maestro Raphel also invited Mr. Brosky to conduct the orchestra in John Philip Sousa's "The Stars and Stripes Forever" at a rehearsal for the WSO's Masterworks III concert in March of 2012.

Second Wind Dreams National Director of Membership and Chapter Development Laurie Labishak chats with Bernie about his love of the orchestra.

The Wheeling Symphony's Maestro Andre Raphel leads Bernie through a conducting pattern.

Maestro Raphel applauds Bernie's conducting prowess.

Maestro Raphel and Bernie discuss the finer points of conducting and Bernie's upcoming trips to see and conduct the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra.

For more photos, visit the Wheeling Symphony's Facebook page.

The Wheeling Symphony gratefully acknowledges the support of Second Wind Dreams and Stages, Inc. (who will provide a dress suit for Mr. Brosky to wear to the concert) for their assistance in making Bernie's dream come true!

Mad About Swing

This weekend, the Capitol Theatre Ballroom was treated to the delightful voice of this lovely lady:

That's Davina Sowers with her band, Davina and the Vagabonds. The band ended their recent tour with a stop in Wheeling on October 14 for the Wheeling Symphony's Mad About Swing. If you were there, you know it was a super-fun evening with a fantastic band, a full dance floor, and some yummy cookies and other things to eat.

Fingers crossed, it won't be the last of the symphony's swing dances with awesome live bands. For more Davina, check out the band's website and their YouTube channel. For more symphony swing dances, tell the WSO how much fun you had by writing on the Facebook page.

Many thanks to the WSO Board of Directors, Davina & the Vagabonds, the WSO Staff, dance instructor Jamie Carney, the lovely ladies of the Capitol Theatre Ballroom and, of course, a big huge thank you to everyone who danced the night away!

New Developments...

It's been a busy month, September. I was promoted away from the front desk at the WSO and am now the Development Associate and Education Coordinator. Yay me! So far, it's been a bit overwhelming. I'm still at front desk until the new Front Office Manager starts on October 10, and there's a lot of work to be done. Still, I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity and looking forward to settling into my very own office.

Two weeks ago, I saw a spectacular production of The Velveteen Rabbit at Towngate Theatre here in Wheeling. The cast gave impressive, lively, energetic performances, Dave Henderson's set was imaginative and full of charming details, and Tim Thompson's visionary direction was evident throughout the show.

On October 15, the WSO is hosting a swing dance with Davina and the Vagabonds, a band from the Twin Cities. There will be a lesson from 7-8 and dancing from 8-11 in the Capitol Theatre Ballroom. Tickets are just $25 and include the lesson, the dancing, and food! They can be ordered by calling 304.232.6191 or commenting below.

Tomorrow (October 2) is the Wheeling Symphony Youth Orchestra's annual Bluegrass Barbecue, with food catered by Ye Olde Alpha and music by Out of the Blue and Bluegrass Express. The event is sponsored by Main Street Bank and Bachmann, Hess, Bachmann & Garden, PLLC. It will be held at Hess Shelter at Oglebay Park from 3-6 PM. Tickets are $20 for adults and $5 for students. Children under 5 years of age are admitted free of charge. Tickets will be available at the door.

Next Saturday, my friend Pete (whom you might remember as the Beast from way back in January of this year) is marrying his beautiful bride Bethany, and my dear friend Hannah will wed her handsome prince Joshua. On Sunday the 9th, Bob Troeger and Juan Jaramillo will present a recital (details to follow - not to be missed!). The weekend after that is the swing dance. The following weekend, the WSO String Quintet will present a chamber concert at the Scottish Rite in Steubenville, OH (again, details to follow - not to be missed!), and then I am off adventuring with my dear mother, both grandmothers, and two aunts.

Whew! Life lately makes me feel like doing this:

and that's a marvelous way to feel!

"Buy the Foot"

I adore dorky wordplay, so the title of this fundraising campaign is near and dear to my heart . . . just like the theatre its efforts will help restore.

Support the Strand Theatre . . . one foot at a time!

The End of the Cinderella Summer

Other than a brief appearance by the resident bat (literally) and a few minor hitches, the show went off beautifully. We all had a marvelous time, Kelsey and I did not injure Doug (or ourselves) during the fight scene, and Cinderella and the Prince lived happily ever after (of course). It’s bittersweet to see it end, to tear down the set and sort out the costumes and clear off the stage for the last time this season, but we do still have the cast party to look forward to, our last big hurrah.

It’s been a big learning summer for me, humbling at first (You can read about that here.) and then tremendously encouraging. A humongous thank you goes to Ryan, Vera, Mel and Gretchen for all of their kind, upbuilding words throughout this whole show. I do not have the words (silly English major) to express my gratitude to you so a thank you will just have to do. This show afforded me the opportunity to work with so many talented performers, some of whom were making their stage debut. It has been such a joy to watch them grow and to grow with them over the past two months, to learn from more experienced actors and to bask in all of the spectacular performances.

Another big thank you goes to Ryan for his unfailingly positive attitude, even when things weren’t going so wonderfully or when his cast’s energy was lagging or when the scene changes all went to pot. Thank you, thank you, thank you for setting an upbeat tone for the whole process and for keeping us motivated.

Finally, my love goes to the cast, crew and orchestra, for their solid performances and energetic spirit. I’ve had a wonderful summer, due largely in part to all of you: Ryan, Rae, Justin, Renee, Tiffany, Izzie, Blake, Sue, Vera, Frank, Mel, Katie, Heath, Dave, Peter, Michael, John, Kelsey, Jessica, Shanan, Val, Kathryn, Sarah, Sara, Doug, Zara, Natalie, Sophia, Megan R., Emily, Megan J., Ruth, Leslie, Lindsey, Natalie, Joan, Harry, Matt, Pat, Buddy, Ben, Keith, Wendy, Jamie, and Annie.

(Oh, and if you’d like to know what Eloise thought of the ball and ensuing events, you can read all about her experience here.)