I can’t remember the last time I was so excited for a vacation. Sure, when I visit Southern California, its nice to get away and see family and friends…but I’ve done that before. Even when I go back east to NY. Done that before too.  This time is different. I get to go and visit a city rife with history, a city I’ve never visited before…and a city that will be booming with great music the whole time I’m there.

I’ve never been to New Orleans. Its always been on top of my list. I can’t wait to hang out with friends, and dance my face off. Not doing all things Jazz Fest, but enough to get a taste. Check out the city, drive thru daiquiri’s and fried alligator.

Two days of work this week…and we are on our way on Wednesday. I’m sure there will be a ton of pictures to follow.

Even better…is the fact that I’ve been watching what might be my new favorite show on TV…and its getting me even MORE pumped to get there.

Have you seen Treme? If you haven’t..its the best show on HBO that you aren’t watching. In the first 5 minutes of the first episode, they had one of my favorite horn bands, Rebirth Brass Band, cruising the streets. In the 2 episodes that I’ve watched….too much good music to count. From Kermit Ruffins, to Galactic, and Elvis Costello being in both episodes, the list goes on. And the fact that we can go see these bands live…in NOLA…is huge. Granted, I’ve seen many of them live before…but I want to be totally immersed in it.

Eray, our wedding photographer, and NOLA native, will also be taking our engagement shots while we are out there…so thats pretty sweet too.

After Wednesday, I will be computer-less…we are going SANS computers, which is pretty big for neither of us to take one. I mean…I’ll have my iPhone, but I know I won’t be updating the blog from it. For all my readers…I’ll report back. I promise.

Did you all know that the Muppets are 40 this year? Crazy right? With the anniversary being a big one, Muppets Studio has pulled together a YouTube channel, and seriously, some of these videos are absolute hilarity. Beaker does a solo “Ode to Joy” , and Beaker and Sweedish Chef do a Habanera worth watching for sure. I suggest watching them all. The Sweedish Chef, Beaker and Animal headline in most of the musical numbers.

Its actually pretty funny. They are taking a modern approach, and making all the videos internet memes. Statler & Waldorf, our favorite critics, are watching all of the videos online, and make their silly puns at the end of each, having just turned off the computer. We watch what they just did.

I guess I’m about a month and a half behind in this news, but I HAD to share it…its pretty outstanding, because I heart the Muppets. I wanted to share this Bohemian Rhapsody cover by the Muppets, and not just with the three characters I mentioned above. Almost ALL of the Muppets participate in this one, and at all the right moments. Watch the whole thing. Its a long song, but totally worth every minute. The video, an official production of the Muppets Studio (as all of them on this channel are), was the puppet clan’s first foray into covering music on the Web. A rousing success I’d say.

The proceeds go to Bay Area Girls Rock Camp. Dozens of Bay Area artists have donated handmade items to raise money for the Bay Area Girls Rock Camp in a silent auction occurring this coming Friday, December 4th 7-10pm at Local 123 in Berkeley.

My friend Jamie is part of this organization, and she has asked her artist friends to make a donation to go up for auction, and she thoughtfully included me. Hooray for Wunzees!! Hopefully people have babies. Anything for a good cause.

A bit about Bay Area Girls Rock Camp: A nonprofit organization which aims to empower girls through music education, promoting an environment that fosters self-confidence, creativity and teamwork. The Rock Camp strives to challenge gender stereotypes, encourage collaboration and tolerance among peers, and provide a comfortable space for people of all backgrounds to express themselves. Through music lessons, workshops, group activities and performance, girls acquire skills that will help guide them throughout their lives.

You can read more about the auction on Jamies blog Always More to Hear, but if you are in the area, you should go check out the auction on Friday. Maybe you can win some art! Some of the artists featured:

print by Jen Oaks

by Erin Wapple

I don’t know much about Pomplamoose, except that there is something completely adorable about her voice. (I also just found out that its the french word for grapefruit!)

My friend Jamie, author of Always More to Hear, got to interview them and will have a full article appearing on Examiner.com, all on the interview. I was perusing their YouTube channel and happened upon this one. Beyonce’s Single Ladies holds a special, albeit odd,  place in my heart. Enjoy the video, and don’t forget to check back to read Jamie’s article.

I’ve seen episodes 4-6. I was a kid when the movies were popular. I have been a part of what should be a generation of fans, and sure, I like the movies…but I just don’t get the obsession. When they released episodes 1-3 in the theaters in the last decade, I didn’t really care. In fact, I still haven’t seen them. This is not talked about in my household. I’ll tell you why.

When Mick and I started dating, I remember realizing pretty early on that he was a HUGE fan of the series. I think that it was the first time that I came over to his place that we sat down and watched Empire Strikes Back (I think it was that one), so that we could see Admiral Akbar say “Its a trap.” Literally, we fast forwarded, and rewound the film, just so I could see that 15 second clip (see below). I guess my willingness to watch with him made me a keeper. In our home, we also currently have a Admiral Akbar mask, a working Darth Vader Helmet (he picked it up at the Alamo Square Flea Market), and I’m sure more to come.

Needless to say…I live with a Star Wars fan, and I haven’t seen all the films (I’m fairly certain he holds that against me.)

When I heard that Star Wars was coming in concert though, I was intrigued. They were playing the movies, and it was going to be backed by an orchestra? I didn’t really understand it, but I love a good live show, and would be willing to check it out. As luck would have it, Mick’s ex is on tour with them as their catering head chef….and she wants us to come check it out. We did the same thing last time she toured with Neil Diamond (yes, I got backstage at a Neil Diamond concert). So this Sunday evening, I’ll be trekking down to San Jose to see this show. I’m pretty excited. She actually said that she also isn’t a big fan of the films, but after the dress rehearsal, she was sold, and said that it was beautiful.

I’ve included a little explanation from the site below: (intrigued?)

I’ll let you know how it is…though if you are in the bay area, you should check it out for yourself. You can find the tour dates on the main site.

Star Wars: In Concert, a unique multi-media event featuring music from all six of John Williams’ epic Star Wars scores, began its worldwide arena tour on October 1, 2009 at Honda Center in Anaheim, California. Narrated live by Anthony Daniels (the actor who portrayed C-3PO in all six films), the production features a full symphony orchestra and choir, accompanied by specially edited footage from the films displayed on a three-story-tall, high-definition LED super-screen – one of the largest ever put on tour. The live music and film elements are synchronized in order to create a full multi-media, one-of-kind Star Wars experience. “We’ve taken the key themes from the music and cut together all the images that fit with each theme, so you can really get a sense of how the music played into the images,” said George Lucas, creator of the Star Wars Saga. “The whole soundtrack is a testament to John Williams’ creativity and his extraordinary ability to enhance the emotional aspects of the films.” Please visit our website for more information www.starwarsinconcert.com

This is where I’ll be tonight. Should be a funky time. Our friends Erik and Nicole Keller are celebrating their 10 year wedding anniversary! Thats definitely something to celebrate. They took their love of music, and their love of each other and threw together this pretty kick ass party. All sorts of big name musicians, funking it up for their friends, and anyone else who decided to buy a ticket.

If you are in the Bay Area, and need something to do tonight…I’d come to the DNA lounge for sure…

For the Love of Funk