Megan and I attended a Colorado Symphony Orchestra concert. With the CSO you always get more then what's on the program. The concert was american composers over the past 100 years. It included Rhapsody in Blue where the conducter, Jeffrey Kahane, also an accomplished pianist put a grand piano in the center of the stage and played the piano part while he conducted. But then in celebration of Benny Goodman being born 100 years ago the principal clarinetist, accompanied by Jeffrey on the piano, played Gershwin's 3 preludes. I played the 2nd and 3rd in highschool and didn't know they had been arranged for clarinet and piano - it was fun to hear another version. Here's a
link to a version on YouTube (the CSO's performance was much better).
The finale was the world premiere of
Chris Thile's mandolin concerto which he wrote himself. Even more impressive is that this guy is 28. After the concerto he played
solo Bach. Then a state champion fiddler (in the CSO) played a duet with Chris. He then moved to the side stage and was accompanied by Jeffrey Kahane on another duet. Chris also regularly
works with Edgar Meyer, who I'm a fan of and have
written about him in the past.
Prior to the concert, we tried a new restaruant in Larimer Square,
TAG. We tried the appetizers French Onion 'soup' dumplings and braised rabbit empanadas. We split the halibut entree against the strong recommendation of our waiter to try their Szechuan Colorado Lamb. It came with couscous which I'm not a big fan of. The menu also a selection of sushi and the appetizer of the day included a quail egg on top of a ravioli. I think it is a good restaurant if you are looking for more atypical choices.
Joan adopted a dog from an akita shelter although it's an unknown mixed breed. He's named Tigger - which fits well with his tiger stripes. He's 7 months old and heading off tomorrow to dog academy training for 2-4 weeks. His long torso and curved large ears remind me of a corgi. He was originally rescued with other puppies from a dumpster. His new digs are quite an upgrade. He plays an excellent game of fetch, loves squeaky toys and is very affectionate.
The finale was the world premiere of Chris Thile's mandolin concerto which he wrote himself. Even more impressive is that this guy is 28. After the concerto he played solo Bach. Then a state champion fiddler (in the CSO) played a duet with Chris. He then moved to the side stage and was accompanied by Jeffrey Kahane on another duet. Chris also regularly works with Edgar Meyer, who I'm a fan of and have written about him in the past.
Prior to the concert, we tried a new restaruant in Larimer Square, TAG. We tried the appetizers French Onion 'soup' dumplings and braised rabbit empanadas. We split the halibut entree against the strong recommendation of our waiter to try their Szechuan Colorado Lamb. It came with couscous which I'm not a big fan of. The menu also a selection of sushi and the appetizer of the day included a quail egg on top of a ravioli. I think it is a good restaurant if you are looking for more atypical choices.
I helped Eileen assemble several of her baby shower gifts. Eileen gave Dean a preview of the rainforest sounds of this activity mat.
Eileen's resident friends, Mandi and Maria, hosted a baby shower. The food was great and decorations went with Eileen's baby room theme of jungle animals. Here is Eileen pre-party (Maria's dog Pistol Pete made it into the photo too). 
