Streamers fly for the Copacabana finale!
The strangest set of circumstances landed me at The Arena at Gwinnett Center twice this week. Tuesday was spent pouring beers for the high school marching band, which is not as odd as it might sound. Thursday was spent in a luxury suite compliments of a high school friend…My hockey-dad friend, Don summed it up on Facebook as follows:
“She went to Gwinnett arena, looking for answers to questions that that bothered her so?
She writes the words that make the whole world read?”
Words for which I am grateful and humbled. I think he might also be referring to LAST week’s concert review of RUSH that went as viral as this scribe has ever gone. But THAT is another story altogether…
The band moms “pouring it” for the marching band fundraiser…
My first concert of the week took place on Tuesday night. The Jimmy Buffett concert allowed me a “volunteer pass” for the marching band to man (or wo-man) a beer portable booth where I spent the evening with three other fabulous women pouring brews and collecting tips that will further the financial future of music in the schools..in other words…FUNDRAISER…The bonus was background music and a peek through the doors at the Parrothead Community who were all too eager to support youth music efforts. As a long-time Parrothead, it was a pleasure to serve…and thanks for all the tips!
Thursday night was a complete 360° turnaround as my husband and I were treated to a luxury booth at the Barry Manilow concert on the club level compliments of my friend Michelle. We gathered to remember a friend we had recently lost and laughed heartily at the jokes he might very well have cracked at the expense of the Fanilows in attendance.
Those Fanilows were treated to a show that any 71 year-old should be MORE than proud to have presented. Face it folks, like him or not, Barry Manilow could have walked away with just about any lady present. The man BROUGHT IT to the Arena at Gwinnnett Center and left nothing in the wings. Mandy, Weekend in New England, Copacabana…you know the drill-even if you won’t admit it.
Live music is where it’s at man… The past, present, and future of the live venue is firmly entrenched in our existence. This summer promises to be a winner for Atlantan live music lovers. Tomorrow…Train & The Fray & Matt Nathanson are on the ticket at Aaron’s Lakewood Amphitheater. I’ll let you know how that goes…in the meantime, I will continue to allow my attitude to include any and all changes in latitude or last dances… especially when it includes Parrotheads and Fanilows. Thanks for reading.
Beth Volpert Johansen is a freelance writer from Grayson, GA. She is a regular contributor to The Gwinnett Citizen Newspapers.
FreelanceBeth 