Big news in the candy world. PURPLE is the new color for M&Ms. Purple is the first M&M to represent as a female for the brand. As far as male or female, I’ve gotta be honest, I’ve never given it much thought. This Purple M&M is meant to represent loving your “true self.” You’ll see this in the song. We are being hit with political statements every where we turn.
Apparently, they haven’t had a new color in over a decade. Did not realize this. I’m not sure why, but I always prefer the light colored peanut M&Ms (orange, yellow, green). I get in moods for them.
Enjoy the weekend.
I leave you with Purple’s debut song, “I’m just gonna be me”
HAUSER the famous cellist…. Waltz No. 2 was written by Dmitri Shostakovich, a Soviet-era Russian composer and pianist. This Suite for Jazz Orchestra No. 2 was written in 1938 for the newly founded State Jazz Orchestra of Victor Knushevitsky, and was premiered on 28 November 1938 in Moscow (Moscow Radio) by the State Jazz Orchestra.
When Shostakovich began piano lessons at the age of nine it was clear he had musical talent. He was one of the major composers of the 20th century.
After reading Dave’s post, ”Child’s Play,” on Life In A Word, I was inspired to listen to Hauser play Waltz No. 2 on YouTube. Thanks, Dave. I hope you all enjoy it too.
I wish the media would share MORE uplifting stories like this. Miracles happening when we least expect it. Here is a Kev Crane, 49, a plumber who enjoys singing, he even sings on the job. He’s hired for a plumbing job, by a man who “happens” to have his own record label.
The owner hears him singing, LIKES his singing AND there is the miracle!!
A STAR IS BORN!
A DREAM FULFILLED!
Keep doing what makes you HAPPY!
Share uplifting stories.
We need to stay positive and know that break throughs can happen ANY DAY at ANY TIME!
Years ago, on a late Sunday afternoon in winter, bored and wanting to watch something on television, I flipped through the TV channels. Nothing captured my attention. Before turning the TV off, I went to the PBS channel. There was André Rieu in concert. I had never heard of him, but I was immediately drawn to his music and his beautiful orchestra. I’ve always found the violin and the flute to be very soothing.
I happily listened to his concert while I sifted through paperwork and did my filing. My Italian mother always played classical music and various Operas at home, so listening to this music was also nostalgic. If you watch a bit of the concert, you’ll see that his concerts are always sold out.
Years have gone by, and when I feel a little low and need my spirits lifted, I go to YouTube to find one of his concerts. Last year, I FINALLY decided to put “seeing his concert LIVE” on my Bucket List. I found out he has started coming to America. However, I want to see him in Europe. Vienna would be my first choice.
Thanks to YouTube for sharing videos of André Rieu’s concert. As winter approaches, and Sunday’s will seem dreary, his beautifully dressed orchestra playing music that I have not listened to for a while will lift my spirits!
When I was in Florence, I came across these singers while I was walking to the Duomo. They were really wonderful and making quite a bit of money, because not only did they have great voices, but as you can see they had the charm of “old Italy.”
Sharing a little bit of Firenze (Florence) with you today!
Are you a fan of Jimmy Buffet? I know I am! He’s on Broadway (just started February 16th) at the Marquis Theatre with a musical called, “Escape to Margaritaville.” I saw a clip of the musical and it was wonderful. Many of his old and classic songs. It’s hard not to be in a good mood when we are listening to his Caribbean style music. It does feel like Paradise.
Put your tropical shirt on, get your straw hat, fix a margarita and GET READY TO SING ALONG! Thanks to YouTube you can hear his Broadway team practicing the songs here.
Hard for me to say which song is my favorite (Fins, Cheeseburger in Paradise, Margaritaville, He Went to Paris, It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere….)!
On CBS Sunday Morning, Jimmy Buffet was being interviewed. He said that his mother loved going to the theatre. A few times a year she would go to New York to see some Broadway shows. A favorite of his Mom’s was “South Pacific!” That warmed my heart, it was a favorite of mine too. Such fantastic songs. His Mom’s watching from Heaven, she’s proud!
I still enjoy the movie, “Mama Mia!” with music by ABBA. Always puts me in a good mood. Now, I’ve got the Caribbean beat in my mind, I’ll be humming his songs all day!
Good Luck to Jimmy Buffet! Like he says in his songs, “get a margarita, its 5 o’clock somewhere!”
When I was a child, my Italian mother always sung songs from different operas. We would go to the library and she would get the tapes. While we were either studying or doing our chores she would have the music in the background.
As each song played with “extreme animation,” she would say, “Children, children, LISTEN, THIS is WHEN…” and she would describe the scene of the next song, so we would “understand” and “value” the beauty in the Italian lyrics and the music.
A few weeks ago, my mother called me. In her sweet Italian accent sounding very urgent told me, “YOU have to go to the Opera.” It was one of those motherly “it’s your duty,” remember “it’s how I raised you” to appreciate good music, you should “never forget” type of moments. I could hear this in her voice.
I was wondering where this was coming from. Turns out she had just received the Fall Opera listing! NOW, IT ALL MADE SENSE!
So, I am looking at what operas are playing…
A favorite of hers, that EVEN non opera fans would enjoy, is “The Merry Widow.” This is a lively operetta composed by Austro-Hungarian composer Franz Lehár, it premiered in Vienna in 1905. It was so popular they translated it from German to English and it went International.
The story is of a wealthy widow from a small kingdom who goes off to Paris. The kingdom will collapse without her fortune, so the King sends a dashing man off to win her affections and bring her back to restore their kingdom to prosperity (short version).
Here are two lively YouTube videos from “The Merry Widow.” The first song is called, “We’re the Ladies of the Chorus.” The widow had been a dancer, so you’ll see some fun dancing in this video. The second song is a group of men singing about how difficult it is to court women. BOTH songs are in English. It’s very nice!
I was intrigued recently when I met a gentleman, Luke Doubravsky, who is from Prague. I’ve always wanted to visit Prague and when I heard his charming accent I felt like I was half way there.
Prague is beautiful (see photo). The “first” thing I noticed in this photo were the bridges. My mother is from Florence, Italy and the view in Florence of the bridges over the river Arno looks so similar. I really had to smile at this.
As Luke started talking it was clear to me that he had an artistic flair about him. I was curious and wanted to learn more. He said he started playing piano when he was 10 years old. It turns out by day he is an Architect and by night/weekends his true passion comes out as a classically trained musician.
See Luke on Youtube. He plays all genre of music (jazz, American favorites, popular, contemporary… just ask and he’ll play something beautiful.)
Here he is doing what he loves.
Photo of Luke from Gigmaster.com
Luke lives in Seattle and can turn any event into something special. He also travels to the Las Vegas metro area to play.
Contact Luke Doubravsky for the next event you have coming up, i.e. corporate parties, grand openings, weddings, fundraisers, anniversaries, birthdays and more. You will not be disappointed!
The holidays are coming, it’s a perfect time to entertain your guests/customers with music played by an expert!
I was intrigued recently when I met a gentleman, Luke Doubravsky, who is from Prague. I’ve always wanted to visit Prague and when I heard his charming accent I felt like I was half way there.
Brilliant Viewpoint 