Rockapella - Tampa Theatre, December 14, 2008

I am a member and volunteer usher at the historic Tampa Theatre. http://www.tampatheatre.org/

The Tampa Theatre is a beautiful old theatre. You will see mostly foreign and classic films there and other special events. However, this time of year is one of my favorites because a lot of musicians come to Florida... gee, wonder why... and perform at the TT.

If nothing else, it is moving to be there when the Mighty Wurlitzer raises from the stage and the music fills the air. This usually occurs before a film and always during silent films.

Anyhoo, my responsibilities include ushering the patrons to their seats, answering questions, and most importantly.... having FUN. After the show begins and everyone is seated, the volunteers may stay to enjoy the show. Oh yeah, free popcorn and soda for us too!

Last weekend was the annual Rockapella Holiday show. Five guys, no instruments, amazing!

Rockapella. If you've never seen them, there are lots of videos on You Tube. Some may remember them from the 'Where in the World is Carmen Santiago' show that was on PBS. The blonde guy to the left lives in Tampa and his son is on the drum line with Plant High School. (NOT Plant City Hight School!!) The drum line (8 incredible young men) opened the show. I think they've won some awards or something. Too bad I didn't get a picture of them. The guy in the red shirt is the 'drummer'. He uses two mics. One is attached to his throat somehow and the other he holds in his hand. It is amazing (to me anyway) to watch him and listen to him fill the theatre with sound with his voice only. The man on the far right has one of those deep, deep bass voices (like that guy who sang with ELVIS!) and between him and the red shirt guy....wow. The man 2nd from the right brings it all together. He dances, he sings, he's wonderful. I'm out of adjectives.
One of the other founding members (2nd from left in top pic) lives in Winter Haven, Florida and his wife has a dance studio there. When Rockapella performs this Holiday show she brings her dancers and they perform. This year they danced along while Rockapella sang 'The Grinch'. I posted a video on You Tube but the audio is not the best. He also has performed in many shows on Broadway.
Emily and Shelley

Emily in a sea of red velvet seats.

Next show... Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi... 12/29/08. Now, that should be a rockin' performance as well!