Hi Ann Arbor

 

Though I was only in Ann Arbor for a scant two and a half days I tried to see as many people and go to as many of my favorite places as possible.  In addition to hanging out with Larry and singing with Kristin, I also caught up with Kelly and Puffer; made a trip to Briarwood to visit Nicole, Darcia and Jessica; hung out with Emily, the twins and the new baby; and even crashed a night at Brian's!

During the day time I was able to have lunch with my dear friend Phyllis at Totoro Sushi (another must eat when in A2), after which we headed down the street to the University of Michigan Museum of Art.  Some of you might remember her from our trip to the Purple Rose theater several years ago… we just can't help but be classy when we're together!

 

Outside with Marc di Suvero's Orion … WHERE IS YOUR BELT!?!

 

Getting' all Indian style up in Suvero's Shang

 

Other requisites to cross off the list were of course… a meal at Zingerman's and a film at the Michigan:

 

I just can't quit you!

 

The next morning I had an early bus to Chicago but, as is the custom whenever I leave Ann Arbor, I had to have breakfast with Kristin one last time!  This time I got to meet the newest addition to the Eder family AND have doughnuts at Washtenaw Dairy… not a bad farewell!

It's a bit of a hodge-podge of a post, but that's basically how my trip to Ann Arbor went.  Next up: CHICAGO!

 

Artist: Marissa Rinehart / Album: Longing Vines

A Sort of Homecoming

 

One of the parts of the whole tour I was looking forward to the most was the return to Ann Arbor for a series of concerts appropriately entitled “Experience Blue Lake.”  An overwhelming swath of campers for the program comes from a 100 mile radius of Ann Arbor and one of the feathers in the tour’s cap are the performances at gorgeous Hill Auditorium. This was my first time being back in my home for four years since I moved last August and it was a treat to be back.

 

Just like last year (LINK), the Brahm’s Requiem was broadcast live on Blue Lake’s very own public radio station (LINK) for the entire WORLD to hear. 

The back of Hill with the satellite and equipment trucks parked in full view (with a bit of bell tower in the background thrown in for good measure)

 

Joining us once again to conduct the Requiem was Carole Dr. MaestrA Ott.  She had the thankless task of preparing the choir and orchestra for the European tour without the benefit of actually getting to conduct us while overseas.  Needless to say it was an immense pleasure to get to work under her baton again, not only because her musicality and expression were unrivaled by any of the guest conductors in Europe but because I consider her a dear friend as well.  Even though she conducts and teaches in North Carolina I am dependent upon the very small musical world that we live in to bring us back together collaboratively in the future. 

Three very content divas

 

Sabrina and I were also joined by a very special guest in the audience in the form of John Nevergall, who long time blog readers will remember was the tenor soloist in last years Elijah (broken glass during his aria, anyone?!).  Though he lives in Ohio he drove up for the concert and I am so grateful to have gotten to see him, if only for a short time after the performance.

“Bist du’s Elias?!?!?!”

 

I also must give a special shout out to my host “moms” for this portion of the tour.  Mom of course being in quotation marks because they were actually my friends Kristin (who, though a mom in her own right, is absolutely nowhere near near near old enough to claim that title over me) and then later Cynthian. 

Like John before, some of you may remember Kristin from our sharing the stage in Le nozze di Figaro, Armide, and Albert Herring as well as, you know, being kind of a kick ass friend.  Unnnnnfortunately I was stupid and failed to get a picture with her and her darling Alyssa before getting away so I leave you with a picture I pilfered off of her facebook profile. 

 

Cynthian and I have also had the pleasure of performing together in Albert Herring and Eugene Onegin and is also a member of that wundermusical family the Brundages—as in, Julia of the Singing Seargeant’s fame and Mary Anne and David of my utterly fabulous vacation weekend to Washington D.C. this past February.  Cynthian actually commented that I had basically seen everyone in her family more recently than I had seen her, so I’m glad we could rectify that situation!

Enjoying sangria at Ann Arbor’s popular summer drinking destination, Dominick’s

 

Artist: U2/ Album: The Unforgettable Fire

Animal Song

My last meal in Ann Arbor this morning could be no other place besides The North Side Grill! It is by far my first choice for breakfast in A2 (with Flim Flam a close second), and Kristin and Alyssa joined me to see me off. 

 

I WILL MISSSSSSS YOUUUUUUU!!!!!!!!

She really wanted to make the 22 hour drive but there was no room in the trailer

 

I even had a chance to stay with Kristin for two nights when I was hoppin’ around and working and following is the video and photographic evidence of how absolutely adorable Alyssa is.  She’s grown so much since her 1 year photo shoot!

 

 

So… Alyssa’s word for “shoe” is “douche,” and being the mature, sophisticated adults that we are, we kinda made her say it over and over.  You know, cause it’s funny

 

Imitating Daddy                               Imitating Mommy

SO SWEET!

School’s Out

So unfortunately, as these things tend to go, moving away comes with having to say goodbye to friends I’ve grown to tolerate adore and places I’ve come to love.  I spent four years and two degrees at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theater and Dance and will certainly miss it!

 So.. this pond is shaped like a piano when looked at from above, except it’s actually not facing the right way.  Too bad it’s so full of algae that it matches the grass, but there is a pretty fountain that is usually on which helps distract from the verdant nature of the water

 

One of the joys of living basically near the woods is that deer pop up from time to time in the parking lot of the school!

Saturday night a group of my music friends and I went out for drinks as a last goodbye before I head back to the home country.

Jennie Nash and Kristin Eder (the Armide twins)

While waiting for other people to show up I was going to take a picture of the coaster on the table from Arbor Brewing Company for the blog. “Oh that’s boring, let’s do something silly with it,” said Jennie.

 

This was the first  attempt at the picture, but it fell from my glasses as Kristin was taking the picture.  I happen to like this one better!

L to R: Stephanie, Mary, Brandon and Nicole!

Emily, Jennie, Carroll, Kristin.  THE MOMMIES ARE OUT WITH HEELS AND MAKE UP ON!!

(PS Carroll is having a blast)

Uncle and niece

One of these is not like the other…

You’re so young! Why are you even hanging out with me!

You better skype me, biscuits!

There were also some other people who I was able to see but couldn’t make it out on Saturday.

Kelly and Puffer! Thanks for letting me use your place so muchhhhh!

Jamie (a fellow Texan) and his wife Sofiya (definitely NOT a Texan… she’s from the far away land of Bulgaria)

Lizzie Randolph, whom you might remember was my partner in crime when we got busted by the cops

Vogue

A little while ago I got to spend the afternoon at a high fashion (or haute couture for you snoody snoots) photo shoot right here in our very own Ann Arbor.  As luck would have it, it was even the model's birthday and I snuck a couple of behind the scenes shots to share!

A girl's gotta maintain her figure

If the paparazzi show up, you might as well give 'em a show

Ugh... stage mothers:  "STAY ON YOUR MARK!!!!!!"

Setting the stage. Because the glamour doesn't just happen by its self, people

"Give me thoughtful reminiscence"

"Okay, now give me you've just met Joseph for the first time"

Body By Baby.  Jane Fonda better watch her articulately crafted behind out!!

"I'm ONE now... where's my driver's licence? Where's my MAC Viva Glam? And where in God's name is my diamond necklace?!?"

For a bit of full (and quite obvious) disclosure, these are from Alyssa Eder's first birthday portrait shoot.  So it's basically less Madison Avenue with Richard Avedon and more Sears at the southwest corner of Briarwood mall with some caffeine overdosed, hyper complimentary photographer in waiting... but honestly, isn't she just the CUTEST!  Alyssa is the daughter of my friend Kristin, whom you might remember as the Armide from the other cast of the winter opera.

In other celebratory first birthday news, my friend Mallory's daughter, Paige, also just celebrated her first birthday and is having a blow out party today in The Woodlands, Texas.  I WISH I COULD BE THERE!

Paige and I at Christmas.  Look how sunny it is in Texas in December!

I am so happy for the both of you and consider myself lucky to get to spend time with your beautiful young ladies!!!!!