A Spectacular Christmas

I have a confession to make. I have never seen the Rockettes or the Radio City Christmas Spectacular show before. After seeing both for the first time on Friday at Verizon Center in Washington DC, I learned what I'd missed out on and am now determined to make it a yearly tradition.

The Radio City Christmas Spectacular Arena Tour is fairly new, having debuted in 2008, but the show itself dates back to 1933. Two of the scenes from the original show are performed today: the "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers" and "Living Nativity."





I, for one, was moved to tears by the latter and was happy to see a celebration of the true meaning of Christmas come to life before my eyes. I asked my 9-year-old daughter Natalie, who attended with me, what her favorite part of the show was and she said, "The way (The Rockettes) were able to do everything at the same time."





She was referring to their well-known precision, and she's right. From every little kick, to every little turn, their timing was perfect. But she was just as dazzled by the entire 90-minute performance as I was, waving at the dancing bears and laughing at the "boom" flag shot out of the cannon. At one point, Santa ran down the aisle in front of us and she practically jumped out of her seat.



The only thing better than the performance itself for me, was seeing her reaction as well as the children around me. Eyes were wide, jaws were open and there were tons of "oohs" and "ahhs" from the little ones in the crowd.

One fairly new number, "New York at Christmas," made me long for another visit to New York City. The scene features a tour bus with an LED screen backdrop that makes it appear as if the bus is driving through the city. It was so realistic that I just sat back and soaked it in as if I was there.



The special effects were even more dazzling than the backdrop, costumes and scenery. A few times during the show, huge explosions of "snow" are shot out over the crowd, and glitter falls from the ceiling to create a magical snowfall. Colored streamers were shot out at another point to the delight of the audience.





The show was helpful in answering one of the age-old questions children have about Santa: How can he be in more than one place at one time? So asks a boy by the name of Patrick, who doubts the existence of Santa, despite the faith of his younger brother Ben.

It is then that "Santa" tells Patrick that as things have gotten busier for him, he's had to find a way to be everywhere and does so through the use of magic. That brought us to a fabulous number with dancing Santa clones.



My little girl still believes so I know this number went a long way in putting any doubts she may have to rest. In fact, the entire show made our Christmas much more magical. Indeed...spectacular.



Many thanks to Verizon Center for making this review possible. For information on Verizon Center, including events and ticket information, click here.

For more information on Radio City's Christmas Spectacular, including tour dates and ticket information, click here.

Radio City Christmas Spectacular at Verizon Center

Tune in to my Twitter feed today at 4 p.m. EST, where I'll be bringing you live coverage of the Rockettes' Radio City Christmas Spectacular at Verizon Center in Washington DC.

I'll be posting a full review of the show here soon. Enjoy! :)

Weezer's December Raditude Shows Cancelled

I'm late posting this news, but in case you haven't heard, Weezer's lead singer Rivers Cuomo was hospitalized after a tour bus accident in New York Sunday morning.

According to Weezer's website, Rivers suffered a punctured lung and injuries to his spleen but is on the mend. His assistant, Sarah Kim, was also injured but has since been released from the hospital.

The December shows for their Raditude tour have been cancelled, including DC101's Festivus tomorrow that I had planned to cover. I'm not sure if that particular show will be rescheduled or not, but I will post details if it is.

Many prayers going out to Rivers and Sarah!

YOUR Voice Needed to Save Animals

IMPORTANT UPDATE/CORRECTION! I just received word from Kendra that Casey was actually rescued 5 minutes before he was to be put down!!!!!! (she had not been aware of this until just now) I cannot express enough to you how much joy this brings me!! But please remember the other dogs out there that aren't as fortunate as Casey when you read this post and please speak up for them. Thank you!
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A few weeks ago, I found out about a sweet dog by the name of Casey who was in need of being rescued:



Lukas and Kendra Jade Rossi had been working hard to get the word out about Casey (Kendra made the video above for him), and many others joined in, including myself. Pleas were made via Twitter, Facebook and other networks, and the Rossis even offered to cover Casey's adoption costs.

Unfortunately, no one came forward and Casey was put down (see update/correction above...Casey was actually rescued 5 minutes before being put down). I was so devastated that I vowed to do whatever I could to help keep this from happening to other dogs like him. No animal that happy, young and loving should have to be put down. It shouldn't have to happen to any animal...period.

Kendra and Lukas run a wonderful group called Rock Star Rescue and have gone above and beyond in trying to save these precious animals.



If that photo above cuts to your heart as much as it does mine, there is something you can do. Right now, there is a critical protest being planned for Saturday, November 21 in Los Angeles to demand a progressive, no-kill general manager for the city. The picket is being organized by Animal Defense League-Los Angeles, but you do NOT need to be a member to join in.

Here is what Kendra wanted to share with all of you about this important mission:

"The general manager of LA Services has big shoes to fill after Ed Boks, who created new relationships with the rescue organizations of Los Angeles. The new manager of LA Animal Services needs to maintain and improve those relationships in order to truly create a no-kill LA.

The city can't do it alone and should utilize those of us that are willing and able to help.

Thousands of happy, beautiful, healthy dogs and cats and even moms and babies die unneccesarily every week in the Los Angeles shelters every month because of lack of cooperation and education.

I believe that every living animal should have the right to live. And if we do not take care of them, and fight for them, who will?

We have a voice, we need to make it heard."

I couldn't agree more. If you'd like to make YOUR voice heard, visit KendraJadeOnline.com (second post down), and/or email rockstarrescue@aol.com for more information. Be sure to visit Rock Star Rescue as well for other ways you can help if you're not in the Los Angeles area.

DC101 Festivus w/ Weezer

Are you all ready for another fun show?! On December 9, tune into my Twitter feed for live coverage of DC101's Festivus at the Patriot Center in Fairfax.

Thanks to Event Chaser, I'll be bringing all the fun to you from the floor! Weezer is the main attraction, with performances by Jack's Mannequin and Motion City Soundtrack as well.

DC101 Festivus tickets are hard to come by, so click that link or stop by Razor Gator, where you'll find the best concert tickets around! You can also find Weezer tickets for your area if you're not in DC.

My full review will be on Event Chaser after the show. Happy Festivus! :)

Veteran's Day Tribute

For all who have served, are serving, and will serve this country through our amazing military, thank you. Thank you for your service. Thank you for your sacrifice. Thank you for the freedoms you have given to all of us.

Please take a few minutes out of your day to honor our military. Below is a moving video tribute made by a vet. Watch to the end and be sure you have tissues. Then go thank our troops. Today, and every day.

"I Feel Free" - Lady Gaga at DAR Constitution Hall in DC

Note: Click on photos to enlarge. You can also see more videos from the show here.

Lady Gaga finally made her much-awaited, rescheduled appearance in Washington DC at DAR Constitution Hall on Tuesday. I was fortunate enough to cover the show from the orchestra pit along with my friend Heather:



As we waited an hour-and-a-half past the 8 p.m. start time, we were entertained by music that seemed fresh out of New York's fashion week. Heather commented that the seating arrangement at the hall made it seem like The Oscars and I completely agreed. The whole vibe was just very glam.



The place was packed with the most gorgeous, stylish, unavailable men...at least for the ladies (poor Heather). I had worn a simple cardigan and tank with jeans but wished I had instead chosen something sparkly and bold as most others had.



I was given a photo pass to wear, which one guard at the backstage entrance told me would get me backstage after the show. Unfortunately, we would find out after the show that she was wrong, much to Heather's and my disappointment.

There was no opening act, so at 9:30, a video montage with Lady Gaga as a character named "Candy Warhol" began playing. Candy complains that someone has stolen her heart and it got a bit graphic at this point as she opened her jacket and showed the bloody evidence of her missing heart.

Candy announces that she feels....."Lost? Empty?" a man asks in the background.

"No, free. I feel free," she answers to a cheering crowd. The montage continued from there into a burst of flames that really got the crowd revved up:



When the curtain fell, and Lady Gaga stood there in all her glory, I was in awe of how gorgeous she looked in person. Her fabulous costumes and dance moves were only outdone by her impeccable voice. And the most perfectly-shaped butt I have ever seen! *jealous*



What impressed me the most, though, was how personal she was to the crowd and how much she connected with everyone. The Lady Gaga you see portrayed in the media often comes off as aloof and conceited. Yet, she was the complete opposite of that as she sang greetings to DC, told everyone how much she loved them, thanked them for their support, etc.



She gave out as many gifts as she received, throwing out gloves, drumsticks and even her microphone, into the crowd. At one point, she handed her microphone to a man in the front row and let him sing part of the lyrics....a man who just happened to be Heather's friend. Here's Spencer with his friend Alex (Heather and I were in this picture, but I looked so horrible, I had to crop it. Sorry, Heather!):



Alex had her own brush with fame as Lady Gaga accepted a ring she handed to her, put it on her finger and told the crowd, "Do you know what this means? This means we're married. Because I f*cking say so!" Alex later told Heather and me that she wants spousal support...or at least a hug, lol.



Another thing I discovered about Lady Gaga is that she has a strong faith. At one point she told the crowd that she had something very important to ask of them. "I'm a big believer in God and miracles and the power of prayer," she said.

She then said that her father was going to be having heart surgery soon and she asked if everyone could please send him good thoughts. At that point, she turned her head away from the crowd and wiped her eyes.



Later, she directed her comments to the youth in the audience who "maybe hate (their) parents" because they won't let them stay out late (among other reasons). Lady Gaga told them to go home and make sure they tell their parents that they love them because they do not want to be sitting there one day feeling like she did right then. You could feel her angst and regret, and it was heartbreaking.

And, of course, she acknowledged her gay fans (which are many), dedicating the song, "Boys, Boys, Boys" to them:



The piano rendition of "Poker Face" was the highlight for me, especially with her bubble costume and piano:



Lady Gaga did various vogue-like poses throughout the number and sang out a greeting to DC:



After holding her leg in the air for quite awhile so that everyone could snap a picture, she said, "Good shot!" which was exactly what everyone was thinking.





She then segued into the regular version of the song while donning a cap and climbing on top of the piano:



The finale came sooner than expected for me, with the show running only about an hour long. I think I speak for most everyone when I say we definitely wanted more Gaga!







As I write this, news just broke that her upcoming "Fame Kills" tour with Kanye West has been cancelled, so getting more Gaga is going to be longer than I would like, unfortunately. (UPDATE: Lady Gaga announced today, October 2, that she will continue on the tour solo!)

On a side note, Heather got herself what she has now dubbed a "Lady Gaga Happy Meal" after the show:



Barbie and Gaga - separated at birth. But, after this show, there's no doubt Barbie could only hope to be as free and glam as Lady Gaga. ;)

Many thanks to Lady Gaga's team for the opportunity to review this fabulous show and to Heather for once again being the perfect assistant as well as friend. She snapped so many good Twitpics with her phone for the live Twitter coverage, which freed me up to take the camera shots (the credit for the pic below the finale video goes to her as well). Heather, you so rock!