Monday Night Date

Bob has been working 6 grueling days a week since Muni Band started - 4 with the band, and 2 with his other job, usually out of town. That's why I was extra grateful for a Monday night date tonight.

We are thankful to be Disney Annual Passholders. We decided to slip over to California Adventure for some dinner and a parade.

We hadn't tried the Mexican food place since it moved to its new location so we gave it a try.

It's not quite as good as our favorite Mexican food over in Disneyland, but delicious none the less.

We found a peaceful place near the water and enjoyed a warm breeze, a beautiful sunset, and each other's company.

Here I am on the outside of a couple of soft tacos:

Paradise Pier looked lovely as the moon made its way across the sky:

Our parade vantage point was excellent:

I haven't seen the Electrical Parade since the 70's. What an extremely pleasant blast from the past it was to see and hear it once again!

As the crowds surged to the main exits, we went against the flow and exited through the lovely Grand Californian Hotel and out to the trams just as the fireworks started. We watched the grand finale from the parking structure, then made our escape before the throngs even reached the main gates.

It was wonderful to spend the evening with my true love.

It made me feel like a genuine princess!

Muni Band In Review

I've been too occupied playing in the band to blog about it.

What I can do is show you the season so far.

Week One

Week Two

Week Three

Please bring your picnic and join us for Week Four.

See you in the parks of Long Beach!

It's A Sign!

Marine Stadium was filled to overflowing last night for its first Long Beach Municipal Band concert of the summer.

The crowd was the first of the year to see the magnificent new sign celebrating 100 years of Muni Band:

Fortunately, last night's audience contained trumpet player Chris Eble. Chris, a Muni Band regular, is on leave this season to play "Spamalot" at the Ahmanson Theater. He dropped by with his family to listen to the concert (we're THAT good!). The traffic in the greater Los Angeles area was HORRIFIC last night - so much so that one of the trumpet players got hopelessly mired in congestion and was unable to make the downbeat.

Along came Chris to the rescue! With the aid of Muni Band Crew member John and his trumpets, Chris jumped into action. Way to go Chris!

Also on hand was Darlene, the winner of a silent auction prize at March's Municipal Band Gala. Darlene's bid secured her the opportunity to conduct the band in the "Washington Post March":

She did a wonderful job!

To top the evening off, vocalist Barbara Morrison wowed the crowd:

You've got another chance to see us and our fabulous new sign tonight at 6:30 at El Dorado Park.

Be there or be square.

Mayor Bob Conducts The Municipal Band

City of Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster joined conductor Larry Curtis at this afternoon's Long Beach Municipal Band rehearsal at Long Beach City College.

It was an honor to have the Mayor drop by, but we were in for a special treat.

The former trumpet player stood in front of the band and conducted Stars and Stripes Forever.

He rocked it.

His favorite part?

"The Little Music Things".

Translation: the piccolo part played by us:

Come join us in the parks of Long Beach.

The Little Music Things are featured every night this week.

Complete Schedule Here

Muni Uni - The Reveal

The Long Beach Municipal Band met for the first rehearsal of it's 100th season this afternoon at Long Beach City College.

We were there to look over the more complicated music we would be facing in the next 7 weeks.

We were also issued our uniforms for the season:

A men's small seems mighty big to me.

I've got my cotton band shirts in the washing machine right now using hot water, and will follow with the dryer set on high heat in hopes of reducing the acreage.

I do this every year.

It never works.

No matter. It's HIGHLY comfortable, and I am far from fashion conscious.

If you want to see a whole bandstand in identical attire, please join us for the first concert of our 100th season tomorrow at 6:30pm in Whaley Park on the NORTH side of Atherton.

It's going to be a great summer!

Muni Band Mock Set Up 2009

Before the first concert of the Long Beach Municipal Band Centennial Season takes place on Tuesday, a lot of back-breaking labor will already have been invested.

The truck load in took place on Wednesday at El Dorado Park.

The mock set up took place at Marine Stadium on Thursday.

For years I didn't really realize that this stage for 38 musicians complete with individual mics does not appear on its own.

For years I would appear at the gig for the sound check at 6pm and leave after my set by 7:30.

Then, at the suggestion of the 2nd oboe player, I began to stay for the Jazz Band set nightly. It is magnificent music. Why did I leave early all those years?

At the suggestion of another wise colleague, I began to get to know the crew. I had never really paid attention to them, but came to realize and appreciate the long hours of toil they invested, both before and after the concerts, under the watchful eye of stage manager Greg Flores:

Years ago I began bringing them snacks to help ease the long day. They were so appreciative, and I discovered that they were also hilarious company and fine musicians in their own right.

As the years progressed I was bestowed with the title "Honorary Crew", one of my favorite to this day.

It is amazing to see how a vacant park is transformed into a performance venue. The set-up starts at around noon.

For a real treat, stay for the tear down after the concert. The choreography is dazzling and the feats of strength amazing (I'm not kidding!).

There was one member of the crew who was virtually invisible during the long years of snack sharing and conversation. Although he was always there, he sat quietly without uttering a word. That is until 5 years ago when the veil was lifted, we looked at each other, and he actually spoke.

We were married 9 months later:

So when you attend the Muni Band concerts in the parks this summer, be kind to the crew.

You never know what kind of return you'll get on your investment!

Complete Muni Band Schedule

Mickey Fashions

As we talked about last week, there are a lot of Mickeys at Disneyland.

Check out these roses growing up the Monorail supports in the Entrance Plaza:

After so much subliminal messaging, it is very hard to resist the urge to depart the Park without something Mickey.

Add two adorable great nephews to the mix and The Mouse is going to get some of my coin.

Introducing niece Bethany and husband Tim's son Sam in his stylin' Mickey onesy:

Sam finds it just the thing to wear while playing with the rings:

Meanwhile, Sam's older cousin Hunter bursts on the scene in his cool Mickey jersey:

The son of Coach Matt, Hunter and Mickey love to help mommy Heather with "oobs" (herbs) in the garden:

Those handsome boys are growing fast.

Pretty soon they'll need bigger Mickey fashions.

Fortunately, Great Aunt Doda will be back at Disneyland tomorrow...