Tuesday, August 21, 2012
After lunch at IKEA, the Hollywood Bowl Museum, and DeLongpre Park, we finally went to the Union to see my friend's band, and a lot of other friends playing in the band.
The building that currently houses the Professional Musicians Local 47 opened its Vine Street, Hollywood location in 1950. Back before kids, I used to spend many, many hours at the Union - pronounced like "onion", lol! - playing for various rehearsals. This includes rehearsals for the bands of Bill Holman, Mike Barone, Ron King, Geo Valle, Pat Longo, Francisco Aguabella, and more. Some of the biggest musical thrills of my life so far have happened there - like Bill Booth paying me a big compliment the first time I sat next to him in a section. (Who's Bill Booth, you ask? Well, to find out about him, and other musicians you have no doubt heard but never heard of, check out The Usual Suspects.)
We only stayed for the first song though, because it had already been a long day. The kids and I usually only go out for one or two hours, not four or five. But it sure was great to see everyone! Vivi got a good look at trombones, trumpets, saxophones, a clarinet, a bass, a drum set, and a piano. Everyone was sweet to her, and it was fun to see people that I miss now that I'm staying home with the kids.
Stopping by a Union rehearsal is sort of a "you gotta know somebody" experience, but when you do know somebody, you'll usually be welcome. Musicians are a great group of people for the most part. Go see live musicians perform whenever you can - their energy will infuse you with life, I promise!
And the rehearsal was for an upcoming gig. Here's the info:
Paul McDonald Big Band
Sunday, August 26, 2012
7:30 pm to 10:00 pm
2947 Lincoln Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90405
The Paul McDonald Big Band is back in Santa Monica,
this time with special guest singer the great Tim Nolan.
$10 cover
no drink minimum (or maximum)
 |
Vivi running away from Gary Herbig, and his famous jokes, from Montana!
|
 |
Roy Weigand II saying "coochie-coo" to Alex
|
 |
Vivi watching a real piano player, Paul McDonald
|
 |
The Whole Band!
|
No comments:
Post a Comment