Rosa Ria at the Tampa Theatre, August 30, 2009

Today I volunteered at the Tampa Theatre for a vaudeville style show. The first hour or so were various funny and musical acts. After a brief intermission, Rosa Rio appeared from beneath the stage seated at the Mighty Wurlitzer organ. She's been doing this all her life and is a spry 107 years old.
Google her name if you want to read some interesting history.
If you've never seen silent film with live organ accompaniment, treat yourself the next time you see it happening in your town.
Today she accompanied the Bustor Keaton film 'One Week' as well as playing a few tunes for the crowd sing along.
If you are interested, I've posted a few videos to You Tube as well. Not the best quality... I'm still learning how to use this silly camera!
This is a shot of the movie playing with Rosa and the organ just peeking thru the stage so she can see the film and play along. Can ya see the stage with the opening for the organ? That glowing is the lights of the organ and that is her head just at stage level.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SIIXj38Zxs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tu1nOlHNLHQ

I think I posted five videos total. I'm kinda tired now and can't remember. :)

Englewood Beach third week of August 2009

I'd love to share some photos with you my patient blog readers. However, the pics are on friends cameras and i've begged for couple i'm sure hear from them soon and i will add then here.

Many friends sent me pics of their kids as they headed out to their first day of school.

Well, some of you know that I am a professional student. I have first days too! Here's a pic of me and my friend Lynn on our first day of school.