Thursday, December 21, 2017

Happy holidays!

Hi everyone,

I'm still here!

I know it's been far too long, but I apparently needed this break. Life has gotten in the way of my creativity. Among other things, I had to find a new job, while my old one was puttering out. Luckily, I found a good one, but I'm still adjusting to all new daily routines.

I thought I'd have time to draw a few kitties, but distractions keep coming and going one after another. (Now, the Kitties are distracted by Christmas boxes, wrapping paper, and ribbon!)

Once things settle down, Melissa's Kitties will be back. I have several ideas brewing, like building a website and shop, refocusing my blog, and having the Kitties invade Instagram. You can look forward to two new kitties joining our family, long-overdue book and event reviews, and the latest Johnny Kitties tribute.

In the meantime, enjoy the season! See you in January!

Best,


Wednesday, October 04, 2017

Neighbor

I haven't meant to be away from my blog, but I'm still distracted from drawing. I'm slowly trying to get back into a routine, which I hope will happen soon.

In the meantime, The Kitties are finding plenty to do. For example, here Tyrone goes to hang out with the neighbors. Have fun!

Neighbor (October 4, 2017)
(Illustration Friday: July 28, 2017)








Wednesday, August 30, 2017

Sailor

Comet was first to volunteer to pay tribute to one of his silent film era heroes, Buster Keaton, recreating this scene from The Navigator (1924).



And I thought cats didn't like water....

Sailor (August 29, 2017)

Monday, August 21, 2017

Portrait

Hi everyone,

I'm having trouble focusing on drawing this summer, but the ideas are in my head and I hope to slowly get back into it now.

Kitties don't pose often for portraits, but I did my best to capture them here.

(You might notice some extra guests here. They are always practicing their ninja moves, but I will introduce them to the Melissa's Kitties family when I can get them to sit still.)


Portrait (August 17, 2017)
(Illustration Friday: July 7, 2017)

Tuesday, July 18, 2017

Love

This is part of Lily's nightly routine. I didn't even ask for it.

Love (July 17, 2017)
(Illustration Friday: June 30, 2017)

Thursday, June 29, 2017

Three

The Kitties are good with numbers.

Three (June 26, 2017)
(Illustration Friday: June 16, 2017)

Tuesday, June 27, 2017

Sprout

Sometimes I question Norman's embellished memories of the day Mini joined our family. However, she does not dispute any of his claims.

Sprout (June 26, 2017)
(Illustration Friday: June 23, 2017)

Friday, June 23, 2017

Skate

One time, I came home and this was happening in the garage.

Skate (June 18, 2017)
(Illustration Friday: June 9, 2017)

Tuesday, June 20, 2017

Mind

Sometimes, Simon has brilliant ideas. But, most of the time, he's just happy to see you.

Mind (June 15, 2017)
(Illustration Friday: May 26, 2017)

Tuesday, June 13, 2017

Team

Thanks for an another great season, Celtics! (Okay, Orioles, let's play ball!)

Team (June 12, 2017)
(Illustration Friday: May 19, 2017)

Thursday, June 01, 2017

Tuesday, May 30, 2017

Shoe

Sometimes, Lily tries on my boots.

Shoe (May 16, 2017)
(Illustration Friday: April 28, 2017)

Thursday, May 18, 2017

Mother

The mothers in our family – Mini, The Mother Kitty, and Polly (our honorary Golden Retriever-Kitty) – got together for this sweet portrait.

Mother (May 17, 2017)
(Illustration Friday: May 12, 2017)

Monday, May 15, 2017

Fable

Even Norman knows that these are some words to live by....

Fable (April 23, 2017)
(Illustration Friday: April 14, 2017)

Tuesday, May 09, 2017

Illusion

I don't know where The Kitties are, but it certainly makes them stretchy.

Illusion (April 22, 2017)
(Illustration Friday: April 7, 2017)

Thursday, May 04, 2017

Hot

On really hot days, Simon flattens out.

Hot (April 22, 2017)
(Illustration Friday: March 31, 2017)


Monday, May 01, 2017

Umbrella

I didn't make it down to the National Mall this year to see the Cherry Blossoms, but The Mother Kitty never misses it.

Umbrella (April 10, 2017)
(Illustration Friday: March 24, 2017)

Wednesday, April 26, 2017

Monday, April 24, 2017

Tuesday, April 18, 2017

Punk

Like most cats, Ashes doesn't enjoy bath time. Yet she can't deny the funky results.

Punk (April 9, 2017)
(Illustration Friday: March 10, 2017)

Wednesday, April 12, 2017

Scoop

Ice cream is always a good idea, but portion control is key.

Scoop (April 9, 2017)
(Illustration Friday: March 3, 2017)

Monday, April 10, 2017

Heroic

As usual, the Boston Celtics have been fun to watch this year. Here are a few of their heroic moves. (The Kitties practice them all the time.) See you in the playoffs, Celtics!

Heroic (April 9, 2017)
(Illustration Friday: February 24, 2017)


Wednesday, March 22, 2017

Stomp

Although it's been years since I've seen STOMP, this exhilarating show's inventive percussion using everyday items is unforgettable. From Zippo lighters to trash cans, you can find rhythm in anything.

Watch this behind-the-scenes taste of STOMP, if you haven't yet experienced it:

CNN feature on STOMP (youtu.be/0afeh59xiLE). 

The Kitties love STOMP too, mainly because they can practice its moves at home (to the dismay of our neighbors). Check STOMP's schedule to see it live in New York City or on tour, and after the show, you might end up just like them.

Stomp (March 21, 2017)
(Illustration Friday: February 17, 2017)

Thursday, March 16, 2017

Tea

This is a true story. Note to self: Don't leave your cup of tea on the floor during commercial-break trips to the kitchen.

Tea (March 15, 2017)
(Illustration Friday: February 10, 2017)

Thursday, March 09, 2017

Johnny Kitties: Celebrating Johnny Depp Film #52. Yoga Hosers (2016)

[What is Johnny Kitties? See Johnny Kitties: Celebrating Johnny Depp for all the details. Visit the Johnny Kitties page for a full list of Johnny Depp's filmography and links to all previous Johnny Kitties blog posts.]


"That's what I've done historically, buddy movies....And, this is like that; it's just a different world than I've ever explored before. I just kind of like the idea of the two girls going on an adventure." Director Kevin Smith onYoga Hosers

"It's such a good script. And, it's a girls movie. And, the girls are kicking ass. I'm so happy Kevin is taking these risks and being so creative in giving people things that they haven't seen before." Genesis Rodriguez, who plays Ms. Wiklund in Yoga Hosers




Yoga Hosers is far from basic. 
A follow up to Kevin Smith's 2015 film, Tusk, Yoga Hosers catches up with the two teenage clerks – Colleen Collette (Lily-Rose Depp) and Colleen McKenzie (Harley Quinn Smith) – from the Canadian convenient store Eh-2-Zed. These two best friends spend their days on their phones, posting to social media – whether at school, their after-school job, or yoga class. When they are invited to a Senior Party by the cutest senior in school, they uncover an ancient evil plot. Pairing up with legendary man-hunter Guy LaPointe (Johnny Depp), the girls aim to conquer invasive beings one splat at a time. 

How are we doing now? 
By the time Yoga Hosers was released, I was aching for some good Johnny news. His divorce saga was in full swing with no end in sight. I worried that the details of this tabloid nightmare would pop into my head whenever I saw him somewhere or watched his movies. I felt down in the dumps about everything and hoped that Yoga Hosers would cheer me up.

Completed in 2015, Yoga Hosers was released in theaters last September. Opening weekend, it  played at only one local theater as a Fathom Event. Fathom Events are usually special one-time-only events, like live operas, concerts, or Broadway shows; according to its description, this Fathom Event included the movie followed by a question-and-answer session with its director, Kevin Smith. I got my ticket, hoping that Kevin had some happy Johnny stories to tell. 

What happened at this Fathom Event?
Here is my disclaimer about Yoga Hosers: this movie isn't for everyone. Like Tusk, the story is ridiculous. Unlike TuskYoga Hosers is a silly comedy written with teenage girls in mind. If you're not a fan of Kevin Smith, Tusk, or Johnny Depp, then you might not like this movie. Fortunately, I am, so I had one of the best times ever. 


Harley and Kevin Smith
(Courtesy of Yahoo Movies)
Of course, I arrived early, expecting a sold-out crowd and long lines. None of that materialized, and the small theater was mostly occupied by men (some with girlfriends) who were obvious Kevin Smith followers. Only one other girl arrived on her own, and I assume she was there for the same reason I was. 

Instead of the post-movie question-and-answer session with Kevin Smith that we expected, the Fathom Event started with an introduction during a packed Yoga Hosers screening in another city. Harley Quinn Smith introduced her dad, who talked and talked and talked (as he does). He explained: 
  • How Johnny got involved with Tusk
  • How Johnny developed the character of Guy LaPointe, would call him on the phone speaking as the character and reciting parts of the Tusk script – long after the film had wrapped – and encourage Kevin to write another movie so that he could play Guy again, 
  • How Lily-Rose came to the Tusk set one day to watch her best friend Harley act in a scene with her dad and was asked if she wanted to be in the scene with her, 
  • How these friends' one scene together in Tusk as the Colleen characters inspired Kevin to write Yoga Hosers for them, and 
  • How we finally got here with the finished product.
Vanessa Paradis! 
I wish this rambling introduction was included as a DVD special feature because I can't repeat most of what Kevin Smith said. (Some of it is rated R.) But everything he said made me happy. Kevin is a great storyteller. As I may have mentioned in my Tusk review, he originally asked Quentin Tarantino to play Guy LaPointe. When he declined the offer, Kevin tried to think of who else would be crazy enough to play the character. 

Knowing Johnny mainly from their kids' school functions, he e-mailed him to see if he'd be interested in participating in Tusk, a comedy-horror film, playing a detective who is hunting someone who has been turned into a walrus. To this, Kevin's wife Jennifer exclaimed, "You bothered the Depps?! We have to see them at school!" 


Guy LaPointe!
Don't worry, everything worked out. He remembers being pulled aside on the set of Tusk by Johnny's assistant, who said, "Mr. Depp would like to see you in his trailer." He headed over there as if it were the principal's office and instead experienced Johnny's big reveal in Guy LaPointe makeup: "What do you think?!" he asked. 

For Yoga Hosers, he e-mailed Johnny again to see what he thought about writing a movie starring their girls as the Colleens. He worried when he didn't receive an immediate response, but when they saw each other a little later, Johnny brought it up: "I got your e-mail, man. I think we can't waste this opportunity." With that, he wrote the script for Yoga Hosers and sent it to both Johnny and Lily-Rose's mother Vanessa Paradis for their blessing. He also asked Vanessa if she wanted to participate in the movie. Kevin's wife found all this out eventually and said, "You bothered the Depps again? Don't bother the Depps again, Kevin!" Don't worry, everything worked out. 

Kevin Smith's making-of stories kept us laughing, and all his quotes from Johnny were very Johnny, which warmed my heart. By the end of this introduction, I still wasn't sure what I was in for, but I had a good feeling.

But is the movie any good?
The Bratzis!
It's true that Yoga Hosers performed badly at the box office, was only in theaters for a split second, and received lots of bad reviews. I understand that assessment from unbiased viewers since we all left the theater slightly bewildered and laughing about what we had just seen. However, it was exactly what we expected as fans of Tusk and Kevin Smith's crazy mind: of course we were bewildered and laughing about this plot about teenage girls fighting a cryogenically frozen but now reanimated German bad guy who learned English from watching everything on Netflix and could therefore do lots of impressive movie-star impressions, who created an army of one-foot tall Canadian Nazis made of bratwurst (Bratzis, performed by Kevin Smith), and who ordered them to kill all of the art critics of the world since he'd been insulted by them about his own work. Who else but Kevin Smith is going to come up with these ideas? 


Jack! (with Ashley Greene)
Also, I was slightly delirious as the lights came up; seeing Johnny's whole family acting in one movie – including Lily-Rose's little brother Jack – overwhelmed my inner teenybopper. Kevin Smith's wife and daughter usually make some sort of appearance in his movies, but as he describes it, this one is a little different: "Have you ever seen those TV shows where two families go to camp together? It's kind of what it felt like, like you know, we went to family camp with the Depps, and we put on a show. And it just wasn't a little stage at camp, it was a movie at the end of the day." (I concur with this feeling.) 

I inadvertently saw a critic's meaner comment, saying  that Yoga Hosers was no better than a collage of home movies strung together by a thin, ridiculous plot. (If you don't have anything nice to say....) I wonder if critics ever gave this movie a chance. The more I watched Yoga Hosers to work on my Johnny Kitties drawing, the more I laughed and loved it:
  • Yes, this story is crazy. You read the above plot description correctly – these teens are fighting one-foot tall bratwurst Nazis – but the well-written script is clever and funny. 
  • I appreciate that this story portrays two young girls who save the day without help from any boyfriends or grown-ups. "Women don't ever get to do anything," says Natasha Lyonne (who plays Tabitha, Colleen Collette's dad's girlfriend). "I think this is an excellent case of, you know, girls getting to be the centerpiece." 
Tony Hale and Natasha Lyonne!
  • Everyone is good in this movie, but I was especially excited to see Tony Hale as Colleen Collette's dad, Bob. Everyone who was involved in Tusk is involved in Yoga Hosers too; many, some of whom I didn't recognize until later, play new characters. Stan Lee also makes a cameo! 
  • The dads are right: Lily-Rose and Harley are naturals in front of the camera. As Ralph Garman (who plays the German bad guy) says, "To watch both Lily and Harley show up and have such natural charm and ease in front of the camera and do such good work is alternately a pleasure and a little bit annoying, too – to watch two green actors come out of the gate so good." Granted, they are 15-year-old life-long best friends in real life, but the talent is real!  
  • Johnny deserves an Oscar for his work as Guy LaPointe. I can't wait for Kevin's next movie, Moose Jaws, which tops off this trilogy of films. I want to go to family camp with the Depps again! 

The Colleen Kitties Save the World!
One of my favorite things in Yoga Hosers is the snapshots from social media whenever a significant person in the girls' lives shows up. They serve as introductions to the characters but from the girls' points of view, including Snapchat-like doodles, hashtags, and comments about whatever image they posted. 

For this Johnny Kitties tribute, someone snapped the moment that the Colleens (Lily and Mini) took down this story's gross mechanical monster (operated by the Bratzis). Trapped Guy LaPointe (Gordon) looks on, impressed by the teens' heroic yogic moves.

52. Yoga Hosers (January 22, 2017)
  
What's next? 
Captain Jack returns in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, in theaters May 26! A Johnny Kitties tribute will be posted after its DVD release. See you at the movies in May!

All images © Invincible Pictures, unless otherwise noted. 

Monday, March 06, 2017

Up

It's hard to say what the Kitties are up to here. What do you think? (They won't tell me.)

Up (February 16, 2017)
(Illustration Friday: February 3, 2017)

Tuesday, February 28, 2017

2016 Rainforest Fund Benefit Concert

Hi everyone,

My view from up high
Tickets for this year's Rainforest Fund Benefit Concert didn't go on sale until one month before the event, and even then only a few performers were mentioned as part of the lineup. None of the performers overly excited me; some had performed for this show before, and I had no expectations about the newbies, since I hadn't heard them before.

Still, I felt lucky to get a seat in row B of the front center balcony. The concert's band – the 2016 Rainforest Fund All-Star Players, led as always by musical director/drummer Narada Michael Walden – included 14 musicians and 7 backup vocalists and featured members of the Orchestra of St. Luke's. As usual, a small row of (four) chairs were placed on the left side of the stage so that the performers could watch and enjoy each other's performances.

The main attractions
This year, the show moved from spring to winter, but no snowstorms blocked my way to Carnegie Hall on December 14. Also unlike years past, the concert was shortened by an hour, and some attendees near me felt cheated. While I too longed for a few more show-stopping moments, I was impressed by the show's efficiency this year. Besides, this year's theme was holiday and winter spirit. Did we really want three hours of Christmas music?

Another weird complaint I heard was that the sound wasn't perfect. I thought it was just me, but others agreed that there were moments when we couldn't understand what some performers said while others were loud and clear. As one attendee said about it on her way out, "I mean, this is Carnegie Hall; what's going on?" Nevertheless, I was thrilled to be there, as always. Here's a run down of the tunes.

1. Carol of the Bells – 2016 Rainforest Fund All-Star Players (aka the band). I've never liked the rocky version of this holiday classic, but I liked this evening's arrangement because it showcased the amazing band and muscled into jazz territory. It still had its signature electric guitars chords jamming at the start and finish but became a brand new beast in the middle, full of instrument solos, like saxophone and flute. The whole concoction was led by pounding drums and heavy bass, and the big finish was enhanced by the guitarists jumping dramatically and lighting swapping colors – red, blue, white – at the pace of the beat. This was an exciting start to the show.

2. Winter Wonderland – James Taylor with Chris Botti. I always look forward to seeing James Taylor at this concert, in which he has participated since 1992. He's always funny and his voice sounds amazing in Carnegie Hall. In honor of this year's theme, he and trumpeter Chris Botti wore winter coats, hats, and scarves while they performed "Winter Wonderland." I also liked the lighting in the background during this song, which displayed white tree branches along with dot and geometric patterns that reminded me of a snowy day. I was surprised that this was Chris Botti's only spotlight appearance during the concert, but he performed this song on James Taylor's own 2006 holiday album, James Taylor at Christmas.

3. Soul Cake – Sting. When Sting first appeared, he wore a long overcoat. For this song, he took it off to reveal the best outfit of the night: a black top with a bright yellow swirled design, a black skirt (which he wore to last year's Grammys), and heavy back boots. (He's such a rock star!) "Soul Cake" is one of my favorites from Sting's winter-inspired album If on a Winter's Night.... For it, he played guitar, surrounded in a huddle by backup singers. Their outfits all included some winter wear. The singers included a regular from Sting's own band, Jo Lawry, who wore a winter knit hat and scarf, as well as Lisa Fischer, who I know as a featured backup singer for the Rolling Stones and as part of the Oscar-nominated documentary 20 Feet from Stardom. (They have both attended this benefit before.) The grown-ups were also joined by a small group of singing children, also dressed in winter wear. Together, they created a warm folk sound and feel.

Break for Trudie Styler's Speech. After this song, Sting's wife Trudie Styler appeared to make her speech. Sting introduced her, noting her "very sexy dress." It was a good one: a sleek shiny silver long-sleeved dress that looked like liquid metal and ran just below the knee. She thanked all the performers, noting that this was the first concert they've held in December, a time to reflect on the joy of the holidays but also winter longing for people no longer with us or people in need, like the homeless. The songs chosen tonight represent all of these facets. She said that the Rainforest Foundation has raised $45 million since its inception, and this year was the first year they were called to action in the United States for the conflict about the pipeline development at Standing Rock, North Dakota. Some people from the Lakota Delegation were in the audience, and she blew kisses to them. She acknowledged that we were headed for challenging times. "This evening is not the time to comment on the incoming administration," she said. "Robert De Niro did that for us." (You can see what she's talking about here.) We laughed, despite our worries, and Trudie finished her speech. Then, we got right back to the music....

4. Let It Go – Idina Menzel and the Manhattan Girls Chorus. Trudie introduced "Let It Go," saying that it has become an anthem for young girls everywhere. Before it started, about 45 girls – the Manhattan Girls Chorus – in black dresses came out and sat hero-style across the length of the stage. I liked that one of them had purple hair. Idina Menzel, in a red pantsuit, stood at the center and sang. The girls stood and sang with her when it was time to do so. During this song, the lights were again like snow dots. Having Idina sing her signature song from Frozen to you in person is pretty amazing. She is "Elsa" after all, and she had a fantastic choir backing her up, which made this already inspiring song even more powerful.

5. River – James Taylor. I love Joni Mitchell's song "River." Before I heard her sing it, I knew it as a cover by one of my favorite bands, Travis. For his version, James Taylor played acoustic guitar, sitting on a stool and backed up by the band. Because of James Taylor's warm voice and the faster pace, I felt that this version sounded too upbeat for its sad lyrics, but I did like the three dancers (two guys and one girl) who swirled around the stage during the song, as if they were on the icy river. This song is included on the James Taylor at Christmas album.

After the song, James announced, "And now, back to Sting...."

6.  The Cherry Tree Carol –  Sting. Like James, Sting sat a stool playing guitar for this song, accompanied by the band and backup singers. I didn't recognize this song at first, but once I listened to it again, I realized I knew it. Sting said that "The Cherry Tree Carol" is his favorite Christmas carol. This song is available on Sting's album, If on a Winter's Night....

After the song, he began to introduce the next performer, saying how happy they were to have him and how amazing it was that he found the time to attend during this busy time of year. Audience members began calling for "Bruuuuuce [Springsteen]" who was on the list of performers, but it wasn't him; instead, Santa came on stage. Someone near me in the audience said to her friend, "But who is it? It's got to be someone."

7.  Vesti la Guibba from Il Pagliacci – Vittorio Grigolo. When opera singer Vittorio Grigolo took off his Santa hat and beard, he smiled at us, shrugging off the disappointed expectations for Bruce Springsteen. I don't know much opera, but I recognized "Vesti la Guibba" immediately from when Luciano Pavarotti sang it. Vittorio was so dramatic, singing tragic lyrics I couldn't understand. As he sang, he dropped the Santa hat and took off his jolly red coat, tossing both on the floor. By the end of the song, he staggered off stage in full misery. This guy's voice is amazing, and he was so fully invested. Though the fluffy red pants and suspenders over his white t-shirt conflicted with this emotional drama, we could all feel it – even in the top rows.

8. The Empty Chair – Sting. "The Empty Chair," written by Sting and J. Ralph, is on Sting's latest album, 57th and 9th, but it was written for a documentary, Jim: The James Foley Story. James Foley was a journalist who was kidnapped and killed in Syria in 2014. When Sting was asked to write this song for the film, he initially refused, unsure he was up to the task. He came up with a metaphor for the tragic story at Thanksgiving dinner, while surrounded by family. He imagined what it would be like if one of his own children was missing from the table – if there was an empty chair. He sang this song sitting on a stool, playing guitar with the band backing him up. "The Empty Chair" earned Sting his fourth Oscar nomination.

9. Nessun Dorma from Turandot – Vittorio Grigolo. "Nessun Dorma" is another song that I remembered from Luciano Pavarotti's version. Vittorio sang his version with the Manhattan Girls Chorus. Everyone erupted at the end, including Sting and others who watched from stage right. This guy is going places.

10. Frosty the Snowman – Ronnie Spector. For a complete change of pace, Sting introduced Ronnie Spector, the Rose of Spanish Harlem, who sang "Frosty the Snowman." This song was a hit for her all-girl band The Ronnettes. Tonight, she wore a fitted Santa jacket over black leggings, and her backup singers wore red dresses to match. They all had bouffant hairdos. It was during this song that I noticed members in the band wearing Santa hats.

11. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus – Ronnie Spector. Ronnie Spector started singing this song but then stopped it because she forgot to tell us the story first. She said that, as a kid, she worried about Santa not visiting her house because her family home didn't have a chimney. Her dad told her that, in New York, Santa uses the fire escapes. The next day, the milk and cookies she left for Santa were gone, so she knew he was real! She sang "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus," which was another Ronnettes hit. Afterward, as she left the stage, she gave us a flirty flip of her coat.

12. Last Christmas – Sting. Sting changed his outfit to white shirt under a silky, shiny black suit. "Where are my girls," he asked, and five backup singers, including Jo Lawry and Lisa Fischer, came running out, some in winter coats, saying, "Here we are!" They huddled on either side of him as he said "There you are." As the music for "Last Christmas" started I, and the girls behind me, gasped with excitement and instantly began swaying and singing along. George Michael's music has this affect on us. Sting and the girls did a great job on this '80s favorite, though I later wrote in my journal, "Why didn't they get George Michael to sing it?" Now that surprise appearance would have been exciting! I miss you, George Michael!

13. Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home) – Darlene Love. Making the next introduction, Sting told us to welcome "the beautiful wall of sound that is Darlene Love." He was right; she was thrilling to hear. Maybe it helped that I love this song and forgot she made it famous. She looked beautiful too, in a white wide-leg pantsuit over a red sparkly bustier with red high heels. Her warm energy was contagious, and when the song ended and we quietly waited for the next performer, a lone voice yelled out what we all wanted, "Darlene, come back!"    

14. Baby, It's Cold Outside – Idina Menzel and James Taylor. Oh well, I love "Baby, It's Cold Outside" too. For this song, James played his guitar, and the band backed him and Idina up. James Taylor included this song, a duet with Natalie Cole, on his James Taylor at Christmas album, but I like the classic Ella Fitzgerald version with Louis Jordan best.

After it was over, James exclaimed, "I Darlene Love it! Bring her back out!"

15. Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree – Darlene Love. We all cheered because Darlene Love was again awesome, singing "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree." She (and Vittorio Grigolo with his amazing voice) was the highlight of the concert for me.

16.  I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day – Sting. To preface his performance, Sting said, "I promise you, this is the stupidest song you'll hear all night. It was a huge hit in Britain in the '70s, and it's called 'I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day.' That sounds like a form of torture to me, but..." (I think I know the source of Sting's distaste. Watch this video for the song if you want some nightmare material.) For someone who doesn't like this song, Sting did some great dance moves while he sang it. I was unfamiliar with this song (and didn't care for it either), but I heard it in a mall a few weeks later, so I guess Sting is right: it's popular.

After the song was over, it got quiet. Sting said, "Uh, I have no idea what's going to happen next..." Then, a voice came from the orchestra-level audience: "Ho Ho Ho! This is your Jersey Santa Claus!" Bruce Springsteen came down the aisle to the stage while Sting looked out, asking, "Santa?" Bruce had everyone at "Jersey."

17. Santa Claus Is Coming to Town – Bruce Springsteen. I'd only seen Bruce Springsteen in person once before when he performed at this benefit a few years ago. I was indifferent to his music – some of it I like, some of it I don't, and probably most of it I don't know. For a while, I got sick of hearing his version of "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" on the radio when it was released as a single, but I know how popular he is. His live performances have a joyous energy; he has that effect on the audience, and having experienced it, I understand why he has such an avid following. He becomes one with the crowd when he performs.

18. Merry Christmas Baby – Bruce Springsteen. Case in point, during "Merry Christmas Baby," which Bruce also released years ago as a single, he sat on the edge of the stage and eventually jumped down to sing from the aisles. He was swarmed by women in the audience, and he jokingly called out, "Security?" He was participating in a bunch of fan selfies while he sang, which impressed me. The crowd followed him wherever he wandered until he made it back on stage.

19. Tenth Avenue Freeze Out  – Bruce Springsteen and Lisa Fischer. "Tenth Avenue Freeze Out" brought out the crowd's love for Bruce even more than his Christmas songs. Everyone was jumping, swaying, and singing along. This great rendition showcased Lisa Fischer's powerful voice; she and Bruce made a great match. This classic Springsteen song, while not originally a duet with the wonderful Lisa Fischer, is available on Bruce's Born to Run album.

20. Do You Hear What I Hear? – Jennifer Nettles and company. Sting introduced Jennifer Nettles as a special surprise guest that they were lucky to have. I didn't know who she was, but I liked her sparkly silver pants. She acknowledged her dread about following Bruce but said, "Here goes..." Available on her own To Celebrate Christmas album, she started singing "Do You Hear What I Hear?" and was eventually joined by the other performers. Idina Menzel, Darlene Love, and others trickled on stage until they were all there in a row spanning the entire space; the women were on her right side while the men were on her left.  


21. Joy to the World – Jennifer Nettles and everyone. For "Joy to the World," the dancers and backup singers joined the lineup. I could tell that interesting harmonies were happening but the sound, which had been spotty at times throughout the concert, was most noticeably insufficient during this song, which would have most benefited from it. (It's a bummer to miss those harmonies in Carnegie Hall!) Sting rattled off all the performers' and band members' names, but he was also hard to understand beyond the music. I did hear him call for Trudie Styler, and when she joins in, you know it's the finale.


After being treated to 3-hour concerts, including an intermission, all these years, when the lights turned on, many of us were left with a feeling of "That's it?" Still, as I mentioned, I appreciated this year's polished efficiency. Other years, I've heard people complain about the drawn-out length with too many speeches and other business.

People are never fully satisfied, but I've always loved these concerts. They're always special one-of-a-kind experiences that I'm lucky to have. I look forward to returning here for another one in 2018!

Best,






Image credits: Aside from the Bruce Springsteen fan shot (© Showbiz411), all professional concert images are © Kevin Kane and Kevin Mazar at Getty Images.