So Friday night, after camp, I went up to Ravinia with my friend Nancy for a fun night
of retro fun. As a kid of the 70’s, I sang along and knew every word… as the concert was
a tribute to ABBA. Yes, it was a night with Fernando, Chiquitita and the Dancing Queen!
Okay, so it wasn’t the “real” ABBA – as they no longer perform and keep raking in
the royalty checks! Imagine how much they got from the musical & movie adaptation
of “Mamma Mia” – not to mention the resurgence of their own ABBA popularity.
Ravinia was packed – and SOLD OUT… including the lawn!

Then tonight, I returned for another night of music with my parents, aunt & cousin
for a night in the park with night of Broadway melodies. It was a night to celebrate
the 80th birthday of Broadway lyricist Stephen Sondheim. Famous for his wonderful
lyrics for many of the most popular modern musicals; including Gypsy, Sweeney Todd,
Sunday In The Park With George, Passions, and A Little Night Music. The orchestra was
great – with vocal performances by Broadway legends Patti LuPone, Audra McDonald,
Michael Cerveris and George Hearn. I was a bit disappointed that the show was kind of short.
And they skipped over a lot of Sondheim classics like West Side Story and Into The Woods.
Plus, I’m not a huge fan of Patti LuPone – I think she’s overrated, a little brassy and annoying.
Audra McDonald was incredible, as were both gentlemen. So, even though the show wasn’t
everything I had hoped for, the evening was still great fun. Enjoying the park, the gardens,
the sculptures, the food and the fun with my family. Another fun night under the stars!

So, all in all it was another wonderful night at Ravinia Festival. Plus, we got to see a lot of
“beautiful people” as tonight was also the Ravinia Women’s Club fundraising black-tie gala!
So there were a lot of heavy-hitters in their finery milling about – plus the huge, decked-out
gala tent out in the large meadow area. Tuxes, ball gowns, ladies who lunch and more!

For the schedule of upcoming shows, check out the Ravinia website…
www.Ravinia.org

Seriously, I think I may have scored the best birthday gift ever for my Mom.
She keeps getting plants from my sister-in-law that promptly dry – frying in the sun.
Let’s just say my Mom is not known for her green thumb. She wants to have the plants,
but doesn’t always remember to water them. So… I’ve decided to go for the succulent
planting – hoping to resolve the issue. No need to water, huh?! Hope she likes it…

Shhh… but keep it to yourself…
Her birthday may be today… but she won’t be getting her present until Sunday
evening when we all get together for dinner.. and hopefully, a LOT of cake!!!

Of course I listened… as any good son should…
and I made more grooved tumblers… by popular demand.

After we all had plenty of leaves, it was time to connect them all, layer them and
score & slip them all together to create our leaf wreaths. Layer after layer, leaf after leaf,
the wreaths came together. We then painted them with some underglazes to give
them some autumnal coloration. They’ll dry for the next couple days… then I’ll glaze them
and fire them! Sadly, we didn’t have quite enough time today. As always, the time flew by…
too many leaves, not enough time. So we did finish them… barely… but we would have
all liked another hour to finish them off & paint a few more details! Maybe next time?…

So to celebrate, we gathered the family and a few close friends for a fun day
of bowling & food. In addition to our small immediate family, the Mueller family
joined us too! We’ve know the Muellers ever since I was in 4th Grade… when she came
to my school and got me to join 4-H… and got my parents to become 4-H Club Leaders!!!
So they came with their kids & grandkids… who played well with my cute niece Taylor!!!

If you my parents at the next art fair, be sure to congratulate them on their 50 years!
And thank them for being the my most supportive “art fair assistants” ever!!!