And it' showtime...

So we're almost there folks! Music and words are about as memorized as they will get, costumes are ready, makeup is assembled, and we're ready to rock and roll. Well at least rock. The roll can sometimes be a bit challenging.

Not that there's a lot of room for a little Fred Astaire on the risers. Get too active up there, and the risk is that someone will take a header into the front row. Certainly would add a little something to the action on stage, but not exactly what we all intended.

Actually, it's always a little risky up there on the risers. Misplaced elbows and other body parts, cranky sopranos, overly enthusiastic tenors -- it's a wonder that there's no bodily injury! But it all dissolves away in the moment. That time and place when the notes are true, the entrances and endings are sound, and the dynamics are perfect. When you know you've nailed the piece. And won the hearts of the audience.

Let's have a blast on Sunday. The band is hot, and so are we! Sing your hearts out, baby!

P.S. I'm disappointed that I don't get to wear a feather boa this year. D'ya think anyone will notice if I sneak it on anyways??? Red would be lovely at Christmas.

We are not alone in the universe.....

As I had mentioned in an earlier post, I have been following with interest the blog, From the Front of the Choir.
Chris Rowbury writes a great blog each week on the trials and tribulations in leading a choral group. It can be lonely out there in blogland, when no one comments on your blogs!

Got some thoughts you'd like to share on life on the choral risers? Check out Chris' blog and give him some feedback. Let's get a little action going here!

Seven more sleeps

Only seven more sleeps until showtime! My Ipod is running overtime, the CD player in my car is having hissy fits, and my dearly beloved is tired of hearing bits and pieces of Christmas music, without the music that goes with it. GT and I have been singing together over lunch hours -- which is even weirder. Strains of alto and soprano seeping from behind closed doors, with lots of thudding noises from smacking our heads on the desk over missed lines and difficult notes.

To add to all of this, I Babs, prairie songstress, have been battling that mighty cold virus that has been sweeping through the group. I've always maintained that I've never met a virus that didn't love me! I'm reduced to taking every cold remedy known to womankind -- and have managed to keep the darn thing lurking just below the surface. Although mighty sneezes and Kleenex hanging out of my sleeves during the performance will not be highly attractive. I have located a new product, an ultra-violet "germinator" that apparently kills 99% of viruses on contact. Cool! The perfect stocking stuff, I figure.

Rehearsal with the band today -- always a favorite activity. They make us sound so fabulous! Shall go and think healthy thoughts until then.....

Shake your Bootie

Only 21 more days until concert! Yikes! Time to start putting in some serious face time with my music. Or sleep time -- fell asleep yesterday, headphones on, "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" blasting through the headphones. Sure hope there's something to that whole subliminal learning thing.

One of the blogs that I follow, "From the Front of the Choir" has been chatting about how to get your butt moving on stage -- no more of that "deer in the headlights" kind of look. Time to get the butt wiggling, fingers snappin', grins on our faces, and bring out the inner Babs in all of us! The more fun we have, the more fun the audience has. Want to know how a group should move? Check out the video of the Soweto Choir -- now that's a group that can seriously get the gluts into action! (But who is that guy that walks back and forth across the stage -- is he the choral director? If so, BJ's got some moving and shakin' of his own to do. We all miss the famous Wes Wiggle -- what is BJ going to come up with, I wonder?)

Want to know what you look like on stage? Ask Hank to show you the video from last year's Christmas performance. Zowee but there's some sombre people there! So this week when we're up on the risers, let's get those butts into action. You have nothing to lose except your dignity. And who needs that?

Costumes

Prairie Dog Doug sent me a link to some fabulous new looks from the Beijing Fashion Week (couldn't find a downloadable version of the one Doug sent me, but this outfit has definite possibilities as well!). Very chic -- especially the feathers! (I feel the need for a feather boa again this year).

Wonderful Wanda, Hank and I have been debating new vests for the men. Basic black (with sparkles) or vibrant blue? Oh, the endless possibilities. Well perhaps not so endless. Hank is in favor of the vibrant blue. Wanda for the black. Me, I want to see them in sequins and glitter!

Life's a show, and we all dress the part for it. It is fascinating to see the roles that people choose for the themselves -- fashion queen to crunchy granola. It all makes a statement. Some more loudly than others!

Which brings us back to the group. We love to sing high-energy music that truly draws the audience into the performance. Should not the costumes reflect who we are? Or are we suffering from an identity crisis? Glamour and glitz, I tell you. Bring on the rock and roll. Life's a stage and I want to own it!

And the Award Goes to....

Missed last week's posting because I was away la-di-dah-ing at the Gemini Awards in Regina. Hanging out with the big Canadian television stars (well, kind of being in the same room as the small to medium Canadian tv stars.)

Going to an awards ceremony call for the appropriate accoutrements. Having no eyelashes to speak of, I decided it was time to try false eyelashes. Susan B's in town, so off we go to purchase and try on false eyelashes. I was inclined to go for the big glittery pair, but Susan suggested I might want something a little more subtle. So Friday evening, she glues them on. Fabulous! This leaves me Saturday to experiment before the big event. Hmm. No so easy as it looks. In fact, successfully putting on false eyelashes deserves some kind of award. First couple of trys are crooked. Then they start to lift. So there am I, Babs Divine, poking my eyelids with sharp objects trying to get the glue back under the lash. The crooked lash. Finally rip them off because this clearly isn't going to happen. Wake up the next morning with an eye infection. Put drops in and bravely drive off the Regina. Develop some kind of reaction to the drops that makes it hard to keep the road in place. Arrive in Regina, and get into my swanky dress with one eye still watering. Try to appear important nonetheless. Not hard at Canadian awards ceremony. Looked fabulous despite the watery eye. Pity they wouldn't let me on stage to sing. Someone kept blocking me from the stage. Keeping my elbows high and leading with my right shoulder didn't seem to help. Went to party -- all big (little) stars had disappeared elsewhere. Band wouldn't let me sing. But I continued to look fabulous! Shall have to save myself for Tuesday. See y'all then. P.S. My eye infection has cleared nicely.

New Singers

My, my, my... so many new faces and voices this year! Given my, um, age (young enough to have listened to the Beatles on Ed Sullivan), shall need some creative way to squeeze in new names and faces. Perhaps I can just make a song out this. All very exciting, though -- we love all this talent that oozes from the group. Puts a bit of pressure on the rest of us to be equally stunning! Or at least on pitch. Or perhaps just rely upon our charming personalities.

New song introduced last week -- an a cappella version of "O Come O Come Emmanual" with a huge wow factor. But requires remaining on pitch for 5 minutes and 36 seconds. With a very low bass section. Talent notwithstanding, that's going to be a challenge! Perhaps Penny could cheat and throw us a note every once in a while.

I'm off to tiptoe through the tulips. Well actually, to plant daffodils. In 8 degree weather. This is nuts. Someone remind me why I still live in Saskatchewan. For the music, of course!