Vivaldi 4 Seasons and Rent

I awoke early this morning for the beautiful sunrise over Lake Superior with the energetic strains of Vivaldi's Four Seasons replaying over and over in my mind. After playing last night's concert with the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra, the vibrant melodies are hard to forget. The program also featured Elgar's Enigma Variations with it's lush and emotionally charged tunes, including the poignant "Nimrod". This wonderful concert has come and gone, but it's not too late to hear the symphony yet this year. We perform with the DSSO chorus and soloists in "A Night at the Opera" on May 15. A special concert/party will happen on May 22 at the DECC Arena featuring the Music of Queen and a party afterwards with the band, Hairball, playing favorites from the 80's. Check out the DSSO website at www.dsso.com for details.

Yes, we did find time for a hike up Ely's Peak yesterday and poor Ivy(older dog)is limping today after her efforts to keep up with Sven scrambling over boulders and loose rock. This part of the Superior Hiking Trail is a great place to view circling turkey vultures, soaring eagles and flushing out grouse. Purple violets were blooming already and the pale, vibrant green of new aspen leaves amidst silver tree bark and dark green pine needles was spectacular. Once again, shorts and t-shirt weather!

The 90's rock musical hit, "Rent", is currently showing (April 22-25)at the Duluth Playhouse Theater (www.duluthplayhouse.org). We went last weekend with some reservations as to how this local production could possibly stand up to the broadway production with some of the original leads we had just seen in Madison. Well, we were amazed! The singing and casting was incredible and we want to go again. I hate to say it, but I think we're becoming "Rentheads"! If you can't make it to this production, be sure to look at the upcoming shows, as we have never been disappointed at the Playhouse.